Why Our Mission Matters to Me | A Message from Mikkel Dixon, President & CEO of Bauman College

Content Summary

Mikkel Dixon, President and CEO of Bauman College and National Holistic Institute, shares why the mission of Helping People Have Work They Love guides his leadership. Drawing on his personal belief in the transformative power of education, Mikkel explores how empowering students through holistic nutrition and culinary arts creates healthier lives, families, and communities.

• Education as a Catalyst: How personal experience fuels Mikkel Dixon’s dedication to student success.
• Nourishing Purpose: Why education in holistic nutrition and natural culinary arts goes beyond the classroom to transform lives.
• The Power of Community: How Bauman College faculty and staff support students in turning a passion for wellness into a fulfilling career.

I believe education changes lives because it changed mine and my family’s lives.

Education provides more than knowledge or a credential. It can build confidence, open doors, strengthen families, and change the direction of someone’s life. When people discover meaningful work that reflects who they are—especially in fields centered on food, health, and healing—the impact often reaches far beyond their careers.

That is why our mission, Helping People Have Work They Love, means so much to me.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of students, graduates, educators, leaders, employees, and community members. Those experiences have reinforced my belief that holistic education is about far more than lectures and recipes. It’s about helping people discover what they’re capable of achieving when they align their work with their passion for wellness.

Our students at Bauman College come from many different backgrounds. Some are preparing for their first careers in nutrition and the culinary arts. Others are starting over, pursuing a lifelong belief in food as medicine, or searching for work that brings greater health and purpose to their lives and the lives of others.

Whatever brings them to us, we have the opportunity and responsibility to see their potential, support their journey, and help them believe in what is possible.

Our work at Bauman College is rooted in health, nutrition, and service to others. We prepare people for meaningful careers that allow them to improve lives, educate clients, support healthier communities, and make a lasting difference through the power of holistic nutrition and natural culinary arts.

The most meaningful moments happen when a student discovers confidence they didn’t know they had, overcomes an obstacle that once felt impossible, or realizes they can build a thriving career doing something that truly nourishes themselves and others.

None of this would be possible without our faculty and staff. They bring our mission to life every day by teaching, encouraging, challenging, and believing in our students. Whether they guide students online, teach in the kitchen, or work behind the scenes, every member of our team helps shape a student’s story.

As President and CEO, I believe our success should ultimately be measured by the difference we make in people’s lives. That is why I chose a career in education, why I am proud to lead Bauman College and National Holistic Institute, and why our mission will always be personal to me.

If you’re passionate about nutrition, wellness, holistic cooking, and helping others live healthier lives, I encourage you to explore Bauman College programs. The right education can open doors, build confidence, and help you turn your passion into meaningful work

Learn more about Mikkel by reading his Staff Spotlight.