Skip to Main Content

Jessie Dixon-Montgomery

Jessie Dixon

General Interests
"My current research focuses on Cuban underground hip-hop as a platform for cultural expression and cultural revolution in contemporary Cuban society."

Years at Knox: 1994 to 2020

Education
Ph.D., Romance Languages and Literatures, 1998, The University of Chicago.
M.A., Romance Languages and Literatures, 1990, The University of Chicago.
B.A., Spanish, 1989, Knox College.

Teaching Interests
Caribbean literature, Afro-Hispanic literature, elementary and intermediate Spanish.

Selected Professional Accomplishments

Honors/Grants
Faculty Research and Travel Grant. Knox College, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005-2008.
Philip Green Wright Lombard College Distinguished Teaching Award for Tenured Faculty. Knox College, 2004.

Publications
"Rejection and Redemption: Perspectives of Mulatto Identity and Self-affirmation in the Poetry of Carmen M. Colón Pellot." CARIBE 5.2 (2002-2003): 62-76.

"A Self-defining Dawn: 'Afridentity' in the Poetry of Julia de Burgos." Cincinnati Romance Review 20 (2001): 62-77.

Presentations
"Lo negro y Los pelos: The Re-conceptualization and Re-affirmation of Afro-Hispanic Aesthetic and Identity through Hip Hop," Allen University Hip Hop Conference, Columbus, SC. April 5-7, 2017.

"¡Qué pasa linda! La re-conceptualización y la re- afirmación de la identidad afro-hispana en la literatura y el hip hop [What pretty hair!: The Reconceptualization and Re-affirmation of Afro-Hispanic Identity in Literature and Hip-hop]", Congresos Internacionales de la literatura hispánica (CILH) in Cartagena de las Indias, Colombia, March 13-15, 2014.

"Madonnas and Madames: The Intersection of Race, Class and Sex in Nuestra Señora de la noche by Mayra Santos-Febres." Rocky Mountain Modern Languages Association Conference, Reno, Nevada, 2008.

"Ascending the Ivory Tower: The Road to Success for African Americans in Academia." Cultural Awareness Week Lectures, Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois, 2008.

"Discovering Identity: from Mother to the Motherland in Cristina García's Dreaming in Cuban." Presented at the Annual RMMLA Conference in Calgary, Canada. Session Chair. October 3-5, 2007.

"Sex, Lies and the Deconstruction of National Identity in Rosario Ferre's Maldito amor." Annual Afro-Hispanic Literature and Culture Conference, Valle De Anton, Panama.

"Between The Islands And The U.S. Mainland: The Making of Bicultural Identities in Silent Dancing and How The Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents." Presented at the Annual RMMLA Conference in Tucson, Arizona. October 12-15, 2006.

"El sexo, las mentiras y la deconstrucción de la identidad nacional en Maldito amor por Rosario Ferre" Presented at the 14th Annual Afro-Hispanic Literature and Culture Conference in Panama. May 23-26, 2005.

"Breaking the Silence: Afro-Cuban Women and the Question of Race in Cuba." Where Choice is Born: Caribbean Voices and Visions Conference, Northeastern Illinois University, 2002.

"Blackness and Identity through the Voice of Julia de Burgos" Presented at The Twentieth Annual Cincinnati Conference of Romance Languages & Literatures. May, 2000.

Campus & Community Involvement
Resident Director of the Knox College Program in Barcelona, Spain.
Resident Director of the Knox College Program in Buenos Aires.
Faculty Personnel Committee (FPC).
External Reviewer for faculty 3rd-year review at Colorado College.
College 4 Kids: Elementary Spanish. Knox College.
Black Studies Committee.
Director, Umoja Community Gospel Choir (Music 180J).
Academic Advisor.
Search Committee for Department of Modern Languages and Literatures (French).
Post-Baccalaureate Advisor.
Search Committee for Department of Modern Languages and Literatures (German).
Grievance Committee.
Cultural Events Committee.
Chair, Search Committee for the Assistant to the Director of the Knox Program in Barcelona.
Search Committee for Department of Modern Languages and Literatures (Spanish).
Chair, Search Committee for Department of Modern Languages and Literatures (Spanish).
Faculty sponsor and Advisor, Spanish Club.
Faculty Observer to the Board of Trustees.
Faculty Advisor to the student club Lo nuestro.
Search Committee for Associate Director of McNair Program.
Admission Committee.
Search Committee for Department of Modern Languages and Literatures (Spanish).
Search Committee for Dean of Students.
McNair Shadowing Program.
Search Committee for Associate Dean of Residential Life.
Head Resident, Residential Learning.
Member, Puerto Rican Studies Association.
Member, Modern Language Association.
Member, Rocky Mountain Modern Languages Association.
Member, American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP).
Director, Quick Start Spanish Program--A two-trimester course with a two-week immersion in Spanish-speaking country. Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic.
Co-leader, Slavery in America, Vestiges in West Africa. Included a three-week trip to Ghana and Benin, West Africa.

What Students Say
"Throughout the time I have known her, Professor Jessie Dixon has proven herself to be not only an outstanding professor, but also an amazing friend. Her dedication to the Spanish language and love for the culture are impressive and make learning in her classroom unforgettable. Along with her quick sense of humor, Jessie's patience and enthusiasm make her completely approachable. She truly wants the absolute best for her students."
-Mary Hogarty, Spanish major