Deanna Dixon ’88 Named Dean of Admission

A longtime member of Smith’s admission staff will lead the college’s admission program when admission dean Debra Shaver retires this summer.

Deanna Dixon ’88—currently associate director of admission and coordinator of multicultural recruitment at Smith—has been named the college’s new dean of admission, following a national search. Her appointment, which is effective July 1, 2018, was announced today by Audrey Smith, the college’s vice president for enrollment.

“We are thrilled to have someone with Deanna’s deep commitment, strong experience and collaborative leadership style step into this position,” said Audrey Smith. “I look forward to working with her to continue Smith’s leadership around issues of access, excellence and diversity.”

I’m particularly interested in using my experience to identify women of promise across the globe who will add to Smith’s academic excellence and socioeconomic diversity.

Dixon has served since 2012 as associate director of admission and coordinator of multicultural recruitment at Smith, and has made significant contributions to the college’s admission success. She has helped lead and implement new initiatives, including the college’s first partnership with the Posse Foundation, and started Smith’s first counselor program for community-based organizations. She also oversees the college’s annual diversity program for admitted domestic students of color, and co-chairs Smith’s multicultural recruitment working group.

“I am so pleased to have this opportunity to lead Smith’s admission efforts,” Dixon said, “and I look forward to collaborating with such a great team of professionals in the admission office and across campus. I’m particularly interested in using my experience to identify women of promise across the globe who will add to Smith’s academic excellence and socioeconomic diversity.”

As dean of admission, Dixon will work to build recognition of Smith as the college of choice for promising students from around the world, leading a talented and dedicated staff in articulating the benefits of a residential liberal arts college for women. She also will provide vision, leadership and strategy for all aspects of Smith’s undergraduate admission process, ensuring that Smith effectively uses cutting-edge technologies to recruit a student body that reflects the college’s dedication to academic excellence and diversity.

Dixon joined the Smith staff in 2006 as a part-time admission counselor, then served as assistant director of admission from 2009 to 2012, supervising the tour guide programs and overseeing 100 volunteers.

Active in a number of professional organizations, including the National Association for College Admission Counseling, Dixon recently completed a two-year term as elected sister co-chair of the Association of Black Admission and Financial Aid Officers of the Ivy League and Sister Schools. She also is a member of Northeast Counselors Bridging Access to College.

Dixon graduated from Smith in 1988 with majors in biological sciences and Afro-American studies. She holds a master’s of business administration degree from the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis.

Photo credit: Cheri Widzowski Photography