2025 Dixon Award winners prove unwavering dedication to WSU students
OGDEN, Utah — Among Weber State University’s outstanding faculty and staff, three long-serving members earned this year’s H. Aldous Dixon Award.
Since 1970, the WSU Alumni Association has honored outstanding members of WSU’s faculty and staff with the annual award named in memory of President Dixon, who served as the school’s chief administrator from 1919 to 1920, and from 1937 to 1953.
Dixon Award recipients demonstrate careers of excellence and have gone above and beyond to support students. This year’s winners will be honored during a ceremony at 2 p.m. on March 19 in the Hurst Center’s Dumke Hall.
Ken Johnson
Associate Dean and Professor, Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions
Johnson first came to WSU as a staff member in Continuing Education after working for 15 years in healthcare, holding positions in hospital and clinic administration and marketing. He joined the faculty of the Dumke College in 1998, primarily teaching in healthcare administration and population health. He now serves as associate dean of the college.
While serving as chair for the Department of Health Administrative Services, Johnson developed and became the founding director for the Master of Health Administration program, which is nearing its 20th year and has been a model for other master’s programs within the college.
In all of his roles at WSU, Johnson has been known for innovative teaching and putting students first. He has created and taught more than a dozen different courses. He gets to know his students well and still connects with some from his earliest time as a professor.
In the past few years, he has co-written two textbooks to help students better understand healthcare management. He has written a number of articles and presented at regional, national and international conferences on topics dealing with organizational behavior, emotional intelligence, employee wellness and retention.
Johnson holds a Ph.D. in health education from the University of Utah. He is a fellow of both the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions, and he has post-doctorate training in leadership, management and emotional intelligence. He has served on many health associations and boards from local to national levels, including the Healthy People Curriculum Task Force in Washington, D.C., and as past president of the National Association of Local Boards of Health and chair of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration Board of Directors.
In his free time, he enjoys golf, woodworking and being a grandfather.
Jessica Oyler
Vice President, Division of Student Access & Success
Oyler has more than 16 years of experience at WSU, where she has held several key positions and currently holds the position of vice president for Student Access & Success. Other positions include serving as the associate provost for Enrollment Management and Student Success, assistant vice president for Human Resources, and executive director of Student Affairs Strategic Initiatives. She is also an adjunct faculty member for the First Year Experience and Master of Education programs.
Throughout her career, Oyler has spearheaded numerous student success initiatives at Weber State through collaborations with staff and faculty across campus. She is a staunch supporter of the institution's commitment to access for all, no matter their background; high-quality educational experiences; and faculty and staff engagement in the broader community. She has co-authored and co-edited two books on assessment in student affairs and presented at numerous national conferences.
Oyler is recognized as a collaborative leader who is undaunted by challenges, and motivates her colleagues and the university as a whole to model best practices in the pursuit of student success. She understands the barriers many WSU students — and prospective students — face, and she is proactive in helping remove them.
After earning her bachelor's degree in agricultural education from the University of Arkansas, she completed her master's in postsecondary educational leadership from San Diego State University and her Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Utah.
In her free time, Oyler enjoys hiking, golfing and watching all kinds of sports. She has four children, including one Weber State graduate, two current Weber State students and one future Wildcat.
Colleen Packer
Professor, Department of Communications
Packer has dedicated four decades to transforming students' lives through her work in higher education. As a professor in the Department of Communication, she has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to academic excellence and student success that extends far beyond the classroom.
Her connection to Weber State runs deep: She attended sporting events with her parents, then led cheers as the cheer squad captain, and later became the cheerleader advisor. From early on, she knew her future would involve supporting and guiding students.
Packer has mentored countless students through meaningful research projects and community engagement initiatives. Her approach to education emphasizes hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for real-world challenges while fostering their academic growth.
Her research reflects her commitment to student achievement, with a focus on innovative teaching methodologies, particularly playful pedagogy. Her work explores creative approaches to engage students and enhance learning outcomes. Additionally, she conducts research among the Comcaac people, an indigenous tribe in Mexico, demonstrating her commitment to cultural understanding and preservation.
Throughout her career, Packer has held many roles, including student government coordinator, Faculty Senate chair, and Teaching & Learning Forum director. Her service as faculty ombuds and on rank and tenure committees across six of WSU’s seven colleges shows her broad institutional impact.
Beyond the classroom, she enjoys an active life with her husband, David Berg. She takes particular pride in her five children, all Weber State graduates. Together with David's three children, they delight in their 11 grandchildren. Her personal interests include traveling, skiing, watching movies and college football, learning Spanish and tackling DIY projects.
Her signature message to students — "Got nothin' but love for ya" — captures the essence of her teaching philosophy: a dedication to student success coupled with genuine gratitude for the privilege of being part of their educational journey.
Jen Wright, Marketing & Communications
- Contact:
Bryan Magaña, public relations director
801-626-7948, bryanmagana@weber.edu