Talisa Dixon

Superintendent, Columbus Ohio.

Dr. Talisa Dixon is in her fifth year leading the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, after joining the community from the Saginaw Public School District in Michigan and having previously worked in Akron and Columbus schools.

Since taking over as superintendent, Dr. Dixon has launched forward-thinking initiatives and efforts, all designed to better align District practices with the needs and expectations of our community and to serve all our students.

Among her first major steps was leading students, parents, staff, the Board of Education and community leaders, on a year-long process to develop a comprehensive strategic plan. The ultimate goal of this plan is to ensure that students are prepared for educational and career pursuits upon graduation. It demands accountability and sets high expectations for everyone connected with the schools, from teachers and staff to students, parents, and community members.

Under Dr. Dixon’s leadership, CH-UH has been at the forefront in striving for educational equity and ensuring an inclusive environment and opportunities for all students. The District was the first in Northeast Ohio to adopt an official Board of Education policy on educational equity, which includes systems to implement and evaluate the equity work happening in CH-UH.

Dr. Dixon was among 25 women leaders from the non-profit community who were selected to participate in the 2018 AASA National Women’s Leadership Consortium. She is a member of the 10th class of the Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP), and out of 700 graduates, was selected as a recipient of the Educator Inspired to Lead Award. She has also been honored by Dress for Success Cleveland with the organization’s Walking in Success honors in 2015.

Dr. Dixon serves on the Cleveland Metro American Heart Association Board of Directors, the Governing Board and Executive Committee for MSAN (Minority Student Achievement Network), and the Board of Directors for the Positive Education Program (PEP) of Cleveland.

A native of Oxford, Mississippi, Dr. Dixon received her bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Mississippi Valley State University. She earned three masters of arts degrees (Sociology, Educational Administration, and Secondary Education) and a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Administration from the University of Akron.