Leadership demonstrates a strong commitment to asset management and student enrollment
Today Shaw University announces it has taken the next major step to implement its 2025 Strategic Plan through the addition of two key executive positions: Mr. Kevin Sullivan, Vice President for Real Estate and Strategic Development and Mr. Terrance Dixon, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success. The appointments culminate an extensive national search.
These additions come as Shaw University strategically aligns the resources needed to build a university well-suited to lead boldly into the 21st century. With Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Dixon on board, Shaw is better prepared to execute its 2025 Strategic Plan and position itself for long-term growth.
“The addition of these executive positions represents the transformative steps on which Shaw University is embarking to leverage its significant real estate investments and to recruit students while helping them find success on campus and beyond,” stated Dr. Paulette Dillard, President and CEO of Shaw University. “We are building on the university’s past successes to create an exciting sustainable Shaw of tomorrow.”
Vice President for Real Estate and Strategic Development
As VP for Real Estate and Strategic Development, Mr. Kevin Sullivan will develop and implement the strategic, financial, operational, and project plans for the acquisition, operation, and management of the University’s real estate portfolio. Mr. Sullivan’s work will incorporate planned improvements on the main campus which will include upgrading student housing and athletic facilities as well as establishing innovative living and learning spaces. His purview will also include deferred maintenance programs and prudent management of real estate assets on behalf of the University.
Additionally, this role will connect with local and state regulatory agencies along with the local business community.
Mr. Sullivan’s responsibilities at Shaw University build on his significant prior real estate experience at other institutions of higher education. Most recently at Virginia Commonwealth University, he worked to acquire the necessary property to plan and develop a world-class Athletic Village amid a flourishing, dynamic urban real estate market. For over 15 years at the Virginia Tech Foundation, he was responsible for the development of a $10,000,000 mixed-use building and parking garage which serves as the headquarters of the Foundation and University Advancement, the $90,000,000 Virginia Tech Research Center retail/office/research building in Arlington, VA, and a $55,000,000 North End office/retail/garage complex on underutilized property adjacent to main campus. Mr. Sullivan was instrumental in leading these efforts to negotiate and foster leases, partnerships, Public-Private Partnerships (P3), and joint ventures with real estate developers, university stakeholders, governmental officials, and the surrounding community to help facilitate property development projects that advance strategic University goals and initiatives through entrepreneurial efforts.
Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success
Led by Mr. Terrance Dixon, Shaw University’s inaugural position of Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success will foster seamless and effective services for students.
Mr. Dixon and his team members will build upon the University’s prior history of strong enrollment, and its current outstanding academic programs. Through comprehensive enrollment management, retention, and degree completion strategies designed to achieve ambitious enrollment goals, Mr. Dixon will continue to enhance academic quality, and elevate Shaw’s brand to higher levels of institutional distinction. With an unwavering focus on putting students first, this role will enhance the student experience from the first-time students learn about Shaw University through their graduation.
Prior to his appointment, Mr. Dixon served as Vice President of Enrollment Management at Morehouse College, in Atlanta, GA—the nation’s largest private liberal arts college for men. While serving at Morehouse, Dixon provided senior leadership and strategic direction for a comprehensive enrollment strategy that proved to be aggressive, responsive to new trends and markets, and consistent in meeting enrollment goals, mission, and strategic business objectives of the College. Dixon has served as Senior Educational Manager in Higher Education Services for the College Board, where he managed education outreach and service for admission and recruitment, financial aid, and advising and placement to colleges and universities in the southeastern region. Before entering higher education, he spent several years building a marketing career in positions at Delta Airlines, Dun and Bradstreet, and Enterprise Leasing Company.
The combined experience of Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Dixon positions Shaw well to support its 2025 Strategic Plan and to fulfill its mission to transform its diverse community of learners into global leaders. Kevin Sullivan, JD Mr. Sullivan received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Northern Illinois University, his Master of Arts degree in political science from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and his Juris Doctor from Northern Illinois University College of Law.
Terrance Dixon, MBA Terrance Dixon, MBA, received a bachelor’s in business administration with a concentration in marketing from Morehouse College, MBA from the Michael C. Coles School of Business at Kennesaw State University, and a certification in Management and Leadership in Education from the Harvard Institute at the Harvard School of Education.
