Maressa Dixon

Maressa discovered her passion for educational research at a young age. As a high school student in the Dayton (OH) Public School system, she decided to take an introductory college course at Sinclair Community College in anthropology and learned how research can support culturally relevant schooling for diverse communities. Maressa received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Anthropology and Black World Studies (2006) from Miami University and a Master of Arts in Applied Anthropology (2009) from the University of South Florida before she returned to Miami in 2015 to join the Discovery Center team. As a Sr. Research Associate & Development Team Leader for the Discovery Center, Ms. Dixon uses qualitative and quantitative methods to understand and evaluate the impact of various educational projects. Ms. Dixon also uses her experience and dedication to her work in order to help lead the Center's development and sustainability efforts. In her research, Ms. Dixon combines traditional research methods in non-traditional ways to leverage the power of mixed methodologies and better understand new approaches to education, particularly for students who have been marginalized as a result of traditional schooling practices.

Degrees

M.A., Applied Anthropology, University of South Florida
B.A., Anthropology and Black World Studies, Miami University

Professional Success Formula

100% Caring (when we truly care about our words, our actions, the people around us, and the environment in which we find ourselves, we win no matter the outcome).

Work Commitments

Advocacy for equity; Collaboration that supports the inherent talents we all possess; and Strategic Innovation that is courageous enough to envision and act upon the positive change we wish to see in the world.