Karrie G. Dixon named new chancellor of North Carolina Central University

Karrie G. Dixon has been appointed as the new chancellor of North Carolina Central University (NCCU).

She succeeds Johnson Akinleye, who announced his retirement earlier this year, effective at the end of June. During his tenure, Akinleye focused on renovating campus buildings and enhancing campus security. Under his leadership, NCCU became the first historically black college and university (HBCU) in the University of North Carolina System to receive the Millennial Campus designation. This special status allows private developers to construct buildings on public campuses.

Dixon, originally from Winston-Salem, holds a bachelor’s and a doctorate from N.C. State University and a master’s degree from UNC-Greensboro.

With over 23 years of experience in higher education, Dixon has served in various roles, including professor, chancellor, and several administrative positions within the UNC System office.

She will be transitioning from her current role as chancellor at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), where she has served for over five years.

During Dixon’s leadership at ECSU, the university saw nearly a 70 percent increase in enrollment and raised US$24 million in private donations, according to the UNC System.

Founded in 1910 as a religious training school for Black individuals, NCCU later became the first state-funded liberal arts college for Black students. Today, it is one of five public HBCUs in North Carolina and the only public HBCU in the Triangle area. The university, with nearly 8,000 students, offers more than 100 degree programs, including a business school and a law school.

Dixon will be the 13th chancellor in the history of North Carolina Central University.