Dr. Imogene Mathison Mixson desired to become an educator from a formative age, having always excelled in her own academic e orts with a strong passion for helping others. To prepare for her career, she attended Troy University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in 1959. From there, she attended Auburn University and earned a Master of Science in 1963. Following her receipt of a Doctor of Philosophy from Florida State University in 1972, Dr. Mixson completed postdoctoral coursework at Troy University in 1980 and 1982 and at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1981 and 1982.
After receiving her bachelor’s degree, Dr. Mixson began teaching at Dothan High School in 1959, remaining there until 1966. She then served Enterprise State Community College as an English instructor from 1966 to 1968, then as both English instructor and English department chairperson from 1968 to 1982. After this period, she served Wallace State Community College as an English instructor and as the academic dean from 1982 until her retirement in 1996. During her tenure at Wallace Community College, she also served as interim president at two institutions, Wallace Community College and the Alabama Aviation College in Ozark, Alabama.
As a testament to her resounding success and dedication to her profession, Dr. Mixson was recognized by Wallace State Community College with their Dr. Imogene Mathison Mixson Writing Center, which was named in her honor during a naming ceremony on December 8, 2021. She was also the keynote speaker for the doctoral hooding ceremony at the Florida State University College of Education in April 2022. Receiving a myriad of other accolades over the course of her career, Dr. Mixson received the Teacher of the Year Award from Enterprise State Community College on three occasions in 1972, 1977 and 1980. She also was honored with the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Alabama Community College System in 1991 and the Administrator of the Year Award in 1990. In 2016, she received the Distinguished Educator Award from the Florida State University College of Education, the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the Auburn University College of Education, and a Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award from Troy University.
Outside of her primary e fforts, Dr. Mixson has been a member of the board of directors of the Ozark-Dale County Library since 1999, having previously served in the same capacity from 1981 to 1989. Additionally, she is a past member of the conference board of trustees for the United Methodist Church, a past member of the board of directors of the Alabama Humanities Alliance and a past member of the advisory board of the Dothan Kellogg Center with the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. Active in the Dale County Education Retirees Association, she was recognized as Volunteer of the Year in 2008 and again in 2022. With the spirit of philanthropy, she passionately supports a number of charities, both locally and globally.
In retirement, Dr. Mixson has supported more than 25 educational projects, primarily for student scholarships and faculty/staff professional development at two high schools, two community colleges and three universities. Those awards include 12 endowments. Her commitment to lifelong learning and lifelong service remains consistent and strong.
