Dixon Leads Initiative to Enhance First-Year Student Success and Retention

Aaron Dixon, a proud alumnus of Alabama A&M University and former Student Government Association (SGA) President, has returned to his alma mater to serve as the Executive Director of the Freshman Academy. In his new role, Dixon is spearheading efforts to support first-year,
first-time, and first-year transfer students, guiding them through a pivotal phase of their academic journey at Alabama A&M.

Dixon brings a wealth of experience from his extensive career in higher education, having held roles such as Advisor for Campus Events, Program Coordinator for Multicultural Affairs, and Director of the UT Success Academy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). At UTK, he was instrumental in creating and managing initiatives aimed at improving retention, persistence, and graduation rates among Black and Hispanic male students.

A native of Birmingham Alabama, Dixon earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Alabama A&M in 2016. He went on to obtain his Master of Science in College Student Personnel from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Leadership and Decision-Making at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga.

“It has always been my goal to return to A&M as an administrator,” Dixon shared. “When I left in 2016, I envisioned returning to support student activities. However, my experiences at UTK broadened my perspective and deepened my passion for student success and well-being. The first year of college is critical for students, and I’m excited to focus on ensuring that our first-year students have the best possible experience on The Hill.”

In his current role, Dixon oversees key programs and services designed to support first-year students, including the advising team, the Tutorial Assistance Network (TAN), the ORI 101 and 102 courses, service learning and civic engagement, the Bulldog Pantry, Bulldog Navigate, and various first-year student programs.

“I love higher education because it allows us to witness the personal and academic growth of our students firsthand. I’m most looking forward to meeting our students, understanding their goals, and collaborating with campus partners to help them achieve success.”

Reflecting on his own time at Alabama A&M, Dixon said, “My journey on The Hill was transformative. I came here with friends from high school, and while I didn’t initially consider myself a social person, getting involved on campus pushed me to meet new people and try new things. The Hill shaped how I approach life and relationships, teaching me to bring my true self to every situation. I’m grateful for the experience I had, and I want to ensure that every student has the opportunity to create their own lasting memories on our campus.”

Looking ahead, Dixon outlined several key updates for the Freshman Academy. Starting this fall, the Academy will exclusively support incoming first-year and first-year transfer students, with returning freshmen (those with fewer than 31 credit hours) being advised by faculty representatives in their respective colleges. Additionally, a search will soon begin for an assistant director of advising to bolster the training and development of academic advisors. The Academy also plans to enhance the learning environment with upgrades to the Freshman Academy and TAN spaces.

“I’m incredibly honored to serve my alma mater in this capacity,” Dixon said. “My goal is for students to see the Freshman Academy as a vital resource throughout their time at Alabama A&M. Go Bulldogs!”