Ross Dixon

Boston College, Carroll School of Management

“Enthusiastic and results driven; focused on self and community improvement.”

Hometown: Hooksett, NH

Fun fact about yourself: At 18 years old I visited China for three weeks and spent time in Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Southern New Hampshire University, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Merrimack County Department of Corrections, Correctional Officer

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? Bank of America, Boston, MA

Where will you be working after graduation? Bank of America, Strategy and Management Associate Program

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School: Co-President and volunteer tutor of Invest n’ Kids (INK), a weekly tutoring program.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am proud of being co-president of INK. Being able to tutor and educate in financial literacy, as well as encourage others, is the most rewarding part of the role. Not only do I get the chance to motivate middle school students to focus on their dreams, but it allows me to reflect on their tenacity and ultimately pushes me to better myself.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I am most proud of coming from a non-business background and the unique experiences that help shaped my perspective. While working at the jail, I was given the opportunity to speak with people and truly understand the hardships that can occur from varying factors. From this, I have strengthened my core belief by approaching situations through multiple lens – both caring for quality end goals, as well as caring for the people behind them.

Why did you choose this business school? When deciding where to go for my MBA, I focused on the school that would prepare me to enter a new industry with the tools to succeed. I chose BC because of their focus on data analytics. Seeing the shift in the career landscape, I knew of the growing need to learn where data comes from and how to gather, read and derive impactful insight from it.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite professor is Metin Sengul. He conducts his classes in a manner that pushes each student to think outside of the box and to approach varying situations that take you outside of your comfort zone. Not only that, but he probes responses to take the conversation one step deeper, which are all traits that better equip us as future leaders.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course was Competitive Strategy because it dove deep into case study analysis to understand the business unit level as well as the thought process of the firm. Through the comprehensive use of financial data, critical insight, and a multifaceted approach, I have built upon the solid foundation of the program which has prepared me to enter the workforce after graduation.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? My favorite MBA event was football tailgates. It was the first time I’ve ever went to a school game, so the experience of meeting everyone outside of an educational setting allowed me to get to know colleagues on a deeper level. Moreover, it showed me how involved the students, and even alumni, are with Boston College.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? I value everything I’ve done and those that I’ve come to know, but I would spend more time with classmates. For those that I have come to call friends, I wouldn’t change a thing, but getting to know even more people and their multiple backgrounds and perspectives would’ve enriched my experience even more.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The biggest myth is that our program is too small. Although our cohort size is small compared to other business schools, we are afforded the opportunity to develop personal and unique connections with our classmates and our large alumni network. As I went through the program, I was fortunate enough to make authentic friendships with current and former students that will help me in years to come, as well as allow me the opportunity to pay it forward for those that follow the same path.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? The best part is the strong sense of community that keeps everyone together – during the school year and beyond graduation. With a number of students and alumni remaining in the area, it creates an engrained support system for prospective students, as well as local volunteering.

What surprised you the most about business school? When arriving at BC, I was surprised by the constant support – not only from the professors and the tight knit cohort, but also the alumni network. The vast diversity in geographies and experiences helped me navigate rigorous course load and the internship application process.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? My whole cohort has been admirable and supportive over my two years, so picking just one person is challenging. However, one person that comes to mind is Justin Dion. Justin was very welcoming from the beginning and has been a helpful study partner throughout the program. He is a go-getter who believes in a collaborative environment.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

To utilize my acquired experience and volunteer to help those interested in pursuing careers in business.

Sit on a corporate board and provide valuable insight through the perspective of a non-business background.

What made Ross such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Ross came to Boston College with a strong commitment to both his personal growth and integration into the vibrant culture of our MBA program. A dedicated student from day one, he approached his classes with enthusiasm and discipline. He met deadlines consistently, showed up for appointments early, and fulfilled his commitments with a positive attitude.

Beyond his academic pursuits, Ross took on his career planning with thoughtfulness, open-mindedness, and willingness to get to know others, enriching his own experience as well the experiences of those around him in the process. He actively sought out connections with employers, alumni, and fellow students, and his genuine willingness to connect with people and help them, whether in the classroom or through activities like Invest in Kids, showcases an authenticity and selflessness that strongly aligns with BC’s values.

Ross’s optimistic outlook makes him a joy to work with and be around. I have no doubt that these qualities will serve him well as he begins in Bank of America’s Strategy and Management Associate Program post-MBA.”

Marilyn Eckelman
Associate Dean of Graduate Programs 
Boston College, Carroll School of Management

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