JANS – Jackson State University’s Dean of Students Laquala C. Dixon, Ph.D., was named the 2024 NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Black Diaspora Knowledge Community (BDKC) Sankofa Award recipient. The Sankofa Award is presented to a senior student affairs officer who has provided support and commitment to the BDKC by demonstrating the meaning of Sankofa, which “teaches us that we must go back to our roots in order to move forward.”
Dixon joined NASPA in 2013 and, for four years, has served as a member of the BDKC leadership team, formerly the African-American Knowledge Community. She began as the Region III representative and was ultimately appointed to serve as the HBCU liaison for the BDKC.
“It was surprising because I do the work because I’m driven, and when I see gaps, I try to fill them. I never do anything for acknowledgment or recognition, so it was great to see that someone sees my work,” said Dixon. “I feel like it was a perfect example of how people say, ‘You never know who’s watching,’ because I have no idea who submitted the nomination.”
“Dr. Dixon has been an active and engaged member of the NASPA community for over 10 years. Her engagement allows NASPA members to learn more about the work of HBCUs. This award is a testament to her dedication and commitment to advocating for and advancing the work being done with and for HBCUs within the organization,” said Vice President of Student Affairs Fran’Cee Brown-McClure, Ph.D.