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BRISTOL, R.I. – When Jayson Dixon first arrived at Roger Williams University, he didn't have a clear roadmap for his future – only a strong curiosity and desire to find where he truly belonged. Four years later, he is graduating with a deep sense of purpose, shaped by his connections, experiences and opportunities that helped him grow into the person he is today.

Dixon, a senior double majoring in Legal Studies and Philosophy with a minor in Physics, will graduate this spring with plans to join the Peace Corps. Reflecting on his time at ��������, he credits the university structure and the community found within it for helping him shape his path to success. 

“I didn't plan on majoring in philosophy,” Dixon said. “I took an intro course and realized I liked how it challenged me. I liked connecting legal theory, ethics, and how people think.”

��������’s Legal Studies program was a major draw for Dixon when choosing a college. “Not many schools have a legal studies or pre-law program,” he said. “And it was flexible. It let me explore different areas without feeling boxed in.”

Financial support also played a critical role. Through the Intercultural Leadership Ambassador Scholarship (ILA) program, which covers the majority of his tuition, Dixon was able to pursue his education without overwhelming financial pressure.

“The ILA program made it possible,” he said. “It's one of the main reasons I'm here.”

Once on campus, Dixon found something he hadn't fully experienced back home in Jackson, N.J. – a strong support system that allows him to soar like a hawk.

“Where I'm from, it's very different,” Dixon said. “�������� was refreshing. You need a support system when you're in college, and that's what I found here. Professors, mentors, friends – there was always someone willing to help.”

He didn't just receive support; he built on it. Dixon immersed himself in campus life, joining the , the , the , and the . “I was never able to embrace my Hispanic and Black backgrounds, and to have that community built from day one on campus solidified the fact that I like where I am,” he said. 

Dixon also works as a philosophy tutor, peer mentor, and admissions ambassador, where he serves as a campus tour guide.

“I loved getting to talk to prospective students and families,” Dixon said. “Sharing my personal experience and seeing them get excited about �������� felt like I was helping them find a place where they could belong, too.”

In the classroom, Dixon found inspiration from faculty like Professor of Philosophy Michael Wright, whose classes pushed him to think critically and work harder.

“Wright is a great professor and he's tough to impress,” he said. “The classes weren't easy, but it's the challenge that kept me more and more invested. It made me better.”

Balancing academics with leadership roles required discipline. Dixon relied on detailed spreadsheets to organize his week, often staying up late to complete assignments after full days of classes and meetings.

“When you care about the things you're doing, you make it work,” Dixon said. 

In the fall of his sophomore year, Dixon took a semester off to pursue a rare opportunity to perform on an Off-Broadway show.

“I was actually in an Off-Broadway show called XIMER,” he said. “I auditioned for it through a casting call. I went to New York and was cast on the spot.”

Stepping away from school could have made it hard to come back, but Dixon said �������� made his return feel seamless.

“Professors and the registrar's office made me feel like I still belonged here,” he said. “It made all the difference.”

Now, as graduation approaches, Dixon is embracing his next chapter with intention as he prepares to head to Bangkok where he’ll be stationed with the Peace Corps.

“I want to take some time to reflect and grow before I jump into grad school or my next step,” Dixon said. “The Peace Corps felt like the best way to do that.”

Dixon was recently accepted to several graduate programs through the Peace Corps, including dual degree options at Yale Law and Richmond Law. While he's still awaiting official approval to defer enrollment for his two-year service, Dixon is keeping his options open as he finalizes his next move.

Looking back, Dixon said �������� gave him the space, structure, and support to become someone ready for any challenge. 

“My advice to new students is to be open, be resilient, and find your people,” he said. “You're not going to have it all figured out right away, but �������� gives you the time and support to figure it out.”