Colette McLemore Dixon is a St. Louis native with extensive experience in higher education. Her passion for higher education began while a student at Kansas State University where she earned her BS in Social Science in 1998. As an undergraduate student she lead numerous student organizations earning her the Commerce Bank Presidential Student Award for Distinguished Services in Enhancing Multiculturalism at KSU. McLemore Dixon went on to work in human resources and the not-for-profit arena as a mentor coordinator before returning to her roots of higher education. After earning a MA in Personal Counseling from Lindenwood University, McLemore Dixon moved to Athens, Ohio working at Ohio University of Osteopathic Medicine as the Assistant Director of Multicultural Programs. In 2010, she returned to St. Louis to work at Saint Louis University School of Medicine as the Director of Diversity Programs. While at Saint Louis University she continued to excel earning the distinguished Women of the Year Award. While at Saint Louis University McLemore Dixon also went on to earn her PhD in Higher Education Administration.
In 2017, McLemore Dixon joined UMSL as the Assistant Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs at the College of Nursing. In that role, she oversaw a student services team that included undergraduate and graduate advisors, a recruitment and enrollment manager and a student success and retention coordinator. As Assistant Dean, McLemore Dixon was vital in the creation and implementation of the CON holistic admission process and strategic priorities.
As the Associate Provost for Student Success, McLemore Dixon continues to focus on First Year Experience and first-generation college student initiatives, while also improving the in-classroom experience for all students. In her work to impact student success outcomes, at UMSL she will partner with campus leaders in academic departments, advising units, and student support services across campus with an ultimate goal of collaborating to create a student-ready campus that builds a sense of belonging for all students.
Alicia Hutchings earned her BSN in Nursing at Truman State University in 2004, MSN at Maryville University in 2008, and PhD in Nursing at Oklahoma City University in 2016. Early in her nursing career Hutchings knew the way she could make the greatest impact in healthcare was to educate competent, caring, and compassionate nurses. She has been in nursing education since 2007, where she started at Lutheran School of Nursing in St. Louis. From there, Hutchings made the journey to Oklahoma City University, teaching primarily in undergraduate education, expanding her knowledge and expertise in curriculum, teaching excellence, and university service. In 2016, she returned to the St. Louis area and joined the UMSL faculty. Hutchings’s graduate degrees MSN and PhD both have an emphasis in nursing education. She has had the opportunity to teach in both undergraduate and graduate nursing courses and assist with programmatic development and evaluation.
Hutchings is recognized as a Certified Nursing Educator, demonstrating expertise in this area. She has also received recognition as a peer reviewer through Quality Matters. Additionally, Hutchings has received a certificate in effective college instruction through The Association of College and University Educators and the American Council on Education (ACUE)
Beginning in 2017, Hutchings joined the leadership team in the College of Nursing, serving as the RN to BSN program director. She has responsibilities for supporting faculty and students as well as curriculum matters.
In 2020, Hutchings joined Academic Affairs as the Vice Provost’s Faculty Fellow for Student Success. In her role, Hutchings will support student success initiatives across UMSL. Current initiatives include:
