She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Louisiana Lafayette. Ms. Hawkins has eighteen years of classroom teaching and administrative experience in K-12 public schools; 8 years in English and Health and Physical Education,4 years experience as an assistant principal at the middle and high school level, and 6 years experience as a middle school principal. Her research interests include cultural diversity, leadership, school climate, discipline and its impact on teaching and learning, and professional development. Ms. Hawkins approach to teaching at the post secondary level involves an integration of academic theory with an extensive background as a practitioner.