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Nijinsky Dix

Director

Education

  • B.S. – Criminal Justice; Psychology (magna cum laude), Florida A&M University

  • M.S.– Applied Social Science, Florida A&M University

  • Ph.D.(in progress) – Gender Studies, University of Illinois at Chicago

Experience

I am not a teacher, but an awakener. – Robert Frost

For the past seven years, I have diligently pursued the mantra, “Aspire to Inspire before you Expire.” As an advocate for educational equity and access, my mantra has been crystallized via my roles as a college instructor, academic advisor, and pre-college advisor/intervention specialist. To promote education as access to one’s aspirations, my experience entails: developing quality and relevant curriculum to meet the needs of diverse learners; assisting in the development and implementation of programming (pre-college/collegiate) that addresses academic competencies and/or deficiencies, as well as, the social, and personal barriers of first-generation, low-income students; cultivating and developing initiatives that create and foster a positive self-concept, utilizing the arts (dance) to create an appreciation for culture and diversity; empowering students to become more cognizant of their role as stakeholders at academic institutions (student government/student leaders), and most importantly, advising students on how to turn a liability into an asset. 

Also, during my tenure as an instructor and advisor, I served on several committees to address strategic planning for retention and graduation outcomes; academic advising; outreach and student engagement; meeting the needs of academically advanced students; developing scholar identities for underachieving students; and program evaluation.

While my vision is to develop a model of equity, access, and excellence in education; my daily mission is to empower students to escape their limitations, to move through each day with intentional purpose, and to build a legacy that will inspire generations to come. 

Areas of Responsibility

  • Advisor – Rising Seniors (Juniors) and Senior Class participants (Upward Bound)

  • Advisor – Clay High School (Grades 9 – 12)

  • Editorial Liaison (District 2) – Indiana TRiO

  • Father Ted’s 5k & 10k

  • Upward Bound Summer Academy

  • Student-Parent Leadership Conference

  • Social & cultural events/activities

  • Departmental marketing (website, social media)

  • 21st Century Scholars -TRiO liaison

Affiliations

  • Former Member – National Academic Advising Association (NACADA)

  • Interim Chair – St. Joseph County College Success Coalition (SJC-CSC)

  • Board Member – Educational Opportunity Association (EOA)

  • Board Member – Indiana TRiO

  • Member – Indiana Student Financial Aid Association

  • Adult Mentor - South Bend Youth Task Force

  • Member - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated

Interests

  • Urban Higher Education

  • Diversity & Inclusion/Equity & Access

  • Multicultural Affairs

Hobbies

Laughter; running; dancing; reading; yoga; writing; traveling; spending time with family and friends; allowing the universe to craft me into my best self; and being the white rose in a vase of reds.