Lara Dixon

Dr. Lara Dixon is an accomplished educational leader, researcher, and advocate, currently serving as the Director of Educator Preparation and Accreditation and Associate Professor of K-12 Administration at Michigan State University. With extensive experience in both higher education and K-12 public education systems, she is deeply committed to fostering academic excellence, equity, and innovation in learning. Dr. Dixon is widely recognized for her scholarship and public speaking, having authored numerous articles and delivered over 80 invited presentations on topics such as leadership, instructional advancement, school culture, and generative AI in education. In addition to her role at MSU, she is the CEO of Archer Educational Consulting, where she provides expert testimony and guidance on educational leadership and policy matters.

Dr. Dixon’s leadership experience spans inner-city and suburban schools across Michigan and Ohio, where she has served as a teacher, principal, and district-level administrator. Her dedication has been honored through awards such as the Governor’s Educational Service Leadership Award, Character.org’s National School of Character designation, and the Troy Chamber of Commerce’s Woman of Influence award. She contributes to numerous statewide initiatives, including the Michigan Department of Education’s leadership and mental health committees, and serves as Secretary and Treasurer of the Michigan Association of Professors of Educational Leadership (MAPEL). Dr. Dixon holds advanced degrees in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University and the University of Toledo, along with dual undergraduate degrees in English and music education from Bowling Green State University. Her career reflects a powerful blend of scholarly insight, practical leadership, and a deep commitment to the advancement of education at every level.

• Eastern Michigan University