School of Social Work

Education

• Ph.D, Educational Studies, Urban Education, Eastern Michigan University
• MSW, Eastern Michigan University
• BS, Eastern Michigan University

Biography

Dr. Hawkins has 30 years of social work practice experience with children and families.  She has a diverse range of experiences in the areas of juvenile justice, homelessness, literacy, family services, and education.  Her areas of interest include youth and families in marginalized communities, educational equity in K-12 public schools, culturally responsive pedagogical practices, and interrupting the school-to-prison pipeline.  She has served in various capacities as a practitioner and administrator in nonprofit organizations, public schools, and universities. Dr. Hawkins is a sagacious leader who contributes to the community through volunteer service and advocacy in the areas of education and social work in various programs and agencies throughout Washtenaw County.  Dr. Hawkins serves assiduously on the Board of Education for Ypsilanti Community Schools through her role as President of the School Board.  She is a tireless advocate and leader who is committed to education and supporting youth and families in the community.  She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and American Education Research Association (AERA) and holds a clinical and macro social work license in the state of Michigan.

Recent honors include being awarded the Excellence in Education Endeavors Award from the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Chamber of Commerce (2020), Dr. Sarah H. Huyvaert Faculty Mentor of the Year Award for the McNair Scholars Program (2018), the prestigious William Fennel Symposium Research Mentor Award (2018), Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Mentor Award (2018), Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award from the College of Health and Human Services department of Social Work (2011) and Scholars of Excellence Award from the College of Education department of Teacher Education (2013) at Eastern Michigan University.

Publications

• Iruka, I. U., & Hawkins, C. (2022). “Making the Unique Experiences of Black Girls Visible,” Mayes, R.D., Shavers, M.C. and Moore, J.L. (Ed.). African American Young Girls and Women in PreK-12 Schools and Beyond (Advances in Race and Ethnicity in Education, Vol.8), Emerald Publishing Limited, pp. 7-27 
• Dickey, S.L., Ai, A.L., Hawkins, C., Clark, I. Wedenoja, M., Boone, K., Raney, A.A. (2022) Psychosocial and Physical Challenges from a Natural Hazard: Implications for Resilience in the Black Community. ASCE's Natural Hazards Review.
• Hawkins, C. (2019). Making Youth Matter: Examining the impact of exclusionary practices on the school lives of African American males. Boyhood Journal Special Issue: Masculinity and Boyhood Constructions – The Connective Tissue in the School to Prison Pipeline.
• Baiyee, M., Hawkins, C., & Polakow, V. (2013). Children’s Rights and Educational Exclusion: The Impact of Zero Tolerance Policies in Schools. In B. Swadener, L. Lundy, J. Habashi, N. Blanchet- Cohen (Eds.) Children’s Rights and Education: International Perspectives (pp. 39-62) New York, NY: Peter Lang Publishing.
• Hawkins, C. (In Press). [Cultivating Collaboration and Centering Community: Making Youth Matter Mentoring Program: The Impact of School and Community Based Partnerships]  Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Education: School-University-Community Research for the Current Perspectives on School/University/Community Research Series.

Courses

• SWRK 200 Social Justice and Diversity 
• SWRK 488 Field Experience I
• SWRK 489 Field Experience II
• SWRK 350 Generalist Social Work Practice: Organizations and Communities