The last time Brad Dixon was at Central Methodist University in any sort of official capacity, it was May 2007 and he was a student crossing the commencement stage to pick up his diploma.
The Houston native returned to his collegiate alma mater in January and while student life will still be his interest, he will be on the providing end of student services rather than a recipient. CMU has named Dixon its new Associate Dean of Students.
The appointment was effective Jan. 5, according to Ken Oliver, CMU vice president for institutional growth and student engagement. Dixon comes to CMU from Highland (Kan.) Community College, where he worked in student housing and student life since 2007.
“I am so thankful for the opportunity and experiences I received at HCC. There is no doubt it has prepared me for this new endeavor,” Dixon said. “I am anxious to meet all the CMU students and dig in and go to work.”
Oliver, who has known Dixon since he transferred to CMU in 2005 after getting his associate’s degree from North Central Missouri College in Trenton, said the CMU search committee found Dixon’s skills, experience and his CMU background the right fit for the position.
“Brad brings energy, experience, and unique student perspective to our university and we are thrilled to have him join our already talented staff,” Oliver said. “Brad is an incredibly talented professional with the rare ability to deeply understand college students from all backgrounds, and the needs of today’s challenges in higher education.”
As CMU associate dean of students, Dixon will lead the university’s residential life, Greek life, security and student judiciary programs among other duties. The focus is on the development of students beyond the classroom.
Dixon will also be responsible for selecting, training and leading the residence hall staff and student resident assistants. The goal is an enjoyable and enriching experience for the approximately 700 CMU students who live in its on campus, while maintaining a safe and wholesome environment.
Those types of duties were on Dixon’s job descriptions at Highland, first (2007-2012) as HCC’s Director of Student Life, and since 2012 as Director of Student Housing. Dixon also was active in residence life administration while a student at North Central from 2004-2005.
A native of Houston, Dixon and his family will soon move to the Fayette area. His wife, Natalie, is a 2007 Central Methodist alumnus and they are parents of three-year-old son, Hayden.
Dixon, a former CMU Eagle baseball player, said he is anxious for his CMU “homecoming” and ready to get to work.