Following a national search, Search Institute has named Monica R. Dixon Senior Director of Solutions.
Monica Dixon is a long-time, youth-serving practitioner and leader with a passion for positive youth development—pushing back against deficit-focused views of youth, with a dedication to improving outcomes for young people. As Senior Director of Solutions, she will lead Search Institute’s design and continuous improvement teams who are dedicated to cultivating and inspiring a youth support ecosystem that provides young people with more equitable access to the relationships and resources they need to thrive.
“Monica has significant experience and a proven record in continuous improvement processes, professional learning experiences and tool development,” says Search Institute CEO, Dr. Benjamin Houltberg. “Her extensive history as a practitioner, as well as her equity-centered approach to the design, implementation and improvement of solutions will be an important and necessary addition to the Search Institute team as we continue to build on our legacy of research informed solutions, tools and strategies that promote youth thriving.”
“As a practitioner with decades of experience serving youth in and out of school, I believe that true expertise rests with listening, learning and using systems thinking and implementation science to organize adults and communities, and prioritize a true sense of belonging for youth,” says Dixon, “I look forward to furthering this work with Search Institute.”
Prior to joining Search Institute, Dixon has led statewide, district and school planning, professional learning, and implementation and evaluation of an Equity-based Multi-Tiered System of Support (EBMTSS) with the SWIFT Education Center. She also has a 20-year history with Omaha Public Schools in Nebraska, as a youth-driven and justice-focused classroom teacher, school, and district leader, working to close the gap with historically marginalized students in AP and Honors Courses. She will be focused on creating and improving Search Institute's solutions portfolio including resources, tools, learning experiences, measurement tools and continuous improvement that empowers organizations to make meaningful change in their programs and practices.
Monica has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and an MS in Secondary Education from University of Nebraska at Omaha, and an Ed.S. in K-12 Superintendency from Northwest Missouri State University.