Melanie Dixon, currently serves as the Executive Director of Project Attain Prior to assuming this post in August 2023, Dixon served as the eighth president of American River College (ARC). Before her presidency, she served as the Associate Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Student Success in the Los Rios Community College District (LRCCD). She brings extensive experience in higher education and DEI throughout her professional career.
She has a reputation for being action-oriented and places emphasis on collaboration with various stakeholders. Dixon previously served as Interim Vice President of Student Services at Sacramento City College (SCC), Interim Vice President of Innovation and Success at LRCCD, and Vice President of Student Services at Folsom Lake College (FLC). Previously, she served as Director of Retention Programs and Assistant Director of Diversity and Multicultural Student Services at Portland State University (PSU). She anchors her work in social justice and educational equity.
Dixon has a proven track record of community service involvement, including a role with the Affordability, Food & Housing Access Taskforce, which sets policy and provides advocacy to address students’ basic needs. In addition, Dixon was an Equity Avenger, a collective of college leaders committed to closing educational gaps for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities. Finally, she served on the board of the Black United Fund of Oregon, the Foster Youth Education Fund, and other community-based organizations.
Dixon’s education includes an Associate of Social Science degree from Portland Community College. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Policy Emphasis in Teaching Adult Learners, both from Portland State University. Her high level of integrity in relation to continuous improvement, fiscal management, Equity and Antiracism, talent cultivation and leadership make her a desirable partner on any transformation effort.