WS Chronicle

Elizabeth City State University’s Chancellor, Dr. Karrie G. Dixon, has been awarded the platinum Best Leadership award by the HBCU Grows LEAD Conference 2020. A Winston-Salem native and Carver High School graduate, Chancellor Dixon is the university’s 12th chief executive officer.

In addition to her award, under Chancellor Dixon’s leadership, ECSU was awarded three more platinum awards.

Chancellor Dixon was also recently named one of the 10 Most Dominant HBCU Leaders by HBCU Campaign Fund. Since her time as chancellor of ECSU, she has focused on campus revitalization, enrollment growth, and infrastructure with a focus on building the foundation for a sustainable future.

“I have to recognize that I do nothing on my own,” Chancellor Dixon said upon receiving the HBCU Grow award. “It’s all about the shoulders I stand on.”

She went on to recognize ECSU’s senior leadership who, she said, has taken charge of forging the university’s future.

“I have a dynamic team,” said Chancellor Dixon. “I thank each and every one of them every day for waking up every morning and asking what is best for our university.” 

The university received platinum awards for innovation with its signature aviation program, for being a military friendly university, and for its marketing and branding efforts of the aviation program.

“We are graduating pilots. We are growing our aviation program,” said Chancellor Dixon. “Over the past year alone, we grew by 45%.”

Prior to coming to ECSU, Chancellor Dixon served as the UNC System’s vice president for academic and student affairs, where she was responsible for overseeing the Division of Academic and Student Affairs for the system’s 17 institutions. She also served as the chief student affairs officer for the UNC System, working closely with vice chancellors for student affairs and other university leaders.

Chancellor Dixon holds a bachelor’s degree from NC State University, a master’s degree from UNC Greensboro, and a doctorate from NC State.

HBCU Grow is a consortium of people dedicated to helping HBCUs grow enrollment, alumni giving, and address marketing challenges. The LEAD awards recognize the efforts of HBCUs in various categories. This year’s HBCU LEAD Conference theme was “The Intersection of Business and Education.”