Mary Dixson, Ph.D.

Professor of Instruction, Communication

Mary Dixson, Ph.D.

Bio

Dr. Dixson has over 25 years of higher education teaching experience. and fifteen years of administrative experience including directing the operations of the Faculty Center, overseeing UTSA libraries, faculty development, distance learning, applied research, SACS accreditation, service learning, and dual credit programs.

She has been the author and Principal Investigator of Innovista, a $2 million, Department of Education Hispanic Serving Institution grant to increase institutional capacity for the purpose of increasing student retention and success.

Research Areas include political rhetoric, citizen participation, and civic education. She has published in the Journal of Communication, Presidential Studies Quarterly, and Political Communication. She has presented at numerous conferences and been an invited keynote speaker on topics around faculty development and teaching excellence.

In addition to her academic experience, Dr. Dixson has been employed by both private and non-profit sectors. She was the founding executive director of the Bexar County Performing Arts Center Foundation and consults with businesses and organizations on all areas of communication and training.

Research Interests

  • Political Communication
  • ADHD and College Student Success
  • Teaching and Learning

Degrees

  • Ph.D. in Communication Studies, University of Texas, Austin (2002)
  • M.A. in Speech Communication, Texas A&M University, College Station (1995)
  • B.A. in Speech and Philosophy, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois (1993)

Presentations

Publications