Lambda Kappa brothers go on to achieve in a variety of fields, including criminal justice and education. This brother has been able to weave those two together to build a career.
Beyond the lecture halls and textbooks, Andrekus Dixon (Lambda Kappa Spring ’03) embodies the spirit of intellectual inquiry and his research on the intersection of race and policing has been published and is regularly cited in papers on the topic. Today we spoke with this distinguished member of our fraternity about life, education and his experience as an LK Nupe.
How long have you been a member of Kappa Alpha Psi?
I’ve been a member since Spring 2003, 21 years now.
Why did you join Kappa Alpha Psi?
I joined Kappa Alpha Psi because I wanted to be associated with a fraternity that I believed was about brotherhood and achievement. When I perused other fraternities on campus I did not see myself being anything other than a NUPE. I saw how successful and admired the current Kappas on campus were and I wanted to be a part of that. I would be remiss if I didn’t state that I also saw the response of the ladies when the NUPES were doing their thing at parties. I just liked the confidence and swagger that I saw in the fraternity.
What’s your favorite part of being a Lambda Kappa Nupe/Kappa?
My favorite part about being a Lambda Kappa NUPE is the brotherhood. When I see or meet up with brothers that I have not seen in years, we pick up with laughter and conversations like we just saw one another last week. It’s in those moments that you experience what it means to be a brother.
Tell me about your life experience as a Kappa over the years.
My experience as a Kappa has been wonderful. I have been able to make connections with brothers all over the world. This level of networking has helped me tremendously in my professional life. Additionally, my daughter thinks it’s super cool when I meet someone that I don’t know and we acknowledge one another.
Tell me about your undergraduate experience as a Lambda Kappa Nupe.
My experience as an undergraduate LK NUPE was one that I will never forget. The lifelong relationships that I have been able to obtain have been life-altering. Although I was a Junior when I joined the bond, I was still able to experience life as a LK Nupe, which allowed me the opportunity to develop life skills as the Vice President. I participated in organizing social events/parties, along with assisting in balancing the budget for the fraternity. These skills are pertinent for life as an adult. I also had countless moments of bonding with my brothers which still to this day I think about and laugh. Additionally, it is through being an LK Nupe that I met fellow brother Justin Nash, who is now my daughter’s Godfather and I am his son’s Godfather. This is not possible without the brotherhood of LK. I am forever grateful and appreciative to be a part of such an awesome fraternity.
What is your current occupation?
I am currently a Professor at the University of North Texas in Denton, TX where I also serve as the Undergraduate Program Director and Chair of the Professional Faculty Resource Group.
What do you love most about what you do?
I love being a college Professor most because it allows me the ability to relay knowledge to my students every semester. The experience of watching them grow intellectually and become better critical and analytical thinkers gives me such an intrinsic reward. I am a voracious reader and when I have the opportunity to convey what I know it’s rewarding because I feel like I am contributing to making our society a better more educated place.
How do you define success?
What does it benefit a person to have all the material wealth in the world but to be unhappy? So, I determine success by happiness. Do you love what you do? Do you love the people around you? Are you at peace internally? These are the questions that I believe determine a person’s success. Ultimately, success is based on each person’s concept of the term. An auto-mechanic is just as “successful” as a Fortune 500 CEO if both are happy and enjoy what they do.
Who inspires you?
Who inspires me? This is a great question because I am inspired by so many people for various reasons. My enslaved ancestors, who persevered in the face of unimaginable circumstances, and of course, all of the founders of Kappa Alpha Psi, Malcolm X, Dr. King, Ida B. Wells, President Obama, Jay-Z, Lebron, VP Kamala Harris, Angela Davis, Collin Kaepernick, Dr. Eric Dyson, and the list goes on and on.
What advice would you give to young Nupes?
I would encourage young NUPEs to enjoy their time as undergraduates and do not be in a rush to “be grown” LOL. It’s also important to network and connect with brothers all over the U.S. because you never know where you’ll end up. Most importantly, I would encourage young NUPEs to strive for excellence and achievement and do what they LOVE! Never give up and if you get knocked down consider it a moment to learn and get better!