Officials with the Los Rios Community College District on Thursday announced that Melanie Dixon has been selected as the next President of American River College.
"Melanie is laser-focused on the needs of students, a trait that will serve her well in her new role," said Los Rios Chancellor Brian King. "The breadth and depth of Melanie's skills and experience, along with her personal authenticity, dynamism and charisma, make her the ideal person to lead ARC into the next decade."
Dixon was most recently employed as in the Los Rios district as the Dean of Student Services at Folsom Lake College, where she started in 2014 after coming to California from Portland State University in Oregon. She has reportedly served the district in a variety of jobs, including the Los Rios Interim Vice President of Innovation and Success, Sacramento City College's Interim Vice President of Student Services, and most recently as Los Rios' Associate Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Student Success.
"In her time at the district and its colleges, Melanie has established a track record for building strong relationships with faculty, staff and students," added King. "These relationships have led to a successful history of making real, meaningful change on behalf of our students while still celebrating and strengthening the strong communities that make our colleges and our district so special and unique."
"It is with great humility, gratitude, and excitement that I take on the role of president at American River College," Dixon said. "ARC is one of the finest community colleges in our country and I look forward to building on that tradition of excellence into the future. ARC's students are amazing, and I can't wait to start working with our outstanding team of faculty, staff, and administrators to continue delivering on our promise to them."
Dixon officially begins her new job ARC on January 1st of next year. Her appointment will become final when the LRCCD Board approves her selection. That is scheduled to happen on November 18th.