Her prior position as a horticulturist at Woodberry Forest School in Madison County, Virginia, allowed her to host two NOVA horticulture students while they completed their required internships this past summer. She has also served as grounds manager for Keswick Hall at Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia. In addition, she brings teaching experience gained at Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, Virginia. She holds a master’s degree in horticulture from Virginia Tech and a bachelor’s degree in plant science from the University of Delaware. Dickson lives in Sterling.