Hawkins Receives Doctorate

Stephen Hawkins, director of the learning resources center and distance education at Lenoir Community College, was recently awarded his doctorate in education, specializing in higher education administration, from North Carolina State University.

Before joining LCC, Hawkins was first a high school English teacher and middle school media coordinator with Martin County Schools and then later an instructor with East Carolina University. Hawkins joined LCC’s administrative staff in 1999.

After receiving his undergraduate degree, Hawkins taught high school English and was coordinator for academically gifted students. After completing his master’s in library science, Hawkins soon became a media and computer lab coordinator. Later, as an instructor at ECU, he taught computer skills to student interns planning to teach.

While at ECU, Hawkins completed his post-graduate work in library science, focusing specifically on instructional technology. Currently, as director of the learning resources center, Hawkins has the opportunity to supervise the main library, distance education, Heritage Place, and the College’s technology lab.

The title of Hawkins’ dissertation is “Board Development and Its Impact on the Effectiveness of North Carolina Community College Boards of Trustees.”

The first part of the study examines North Carolina community college trustee demographics, such as age, race, gender, and occupation. The next part of the study focuses on trusteeship by analyzing differences between first-term trustees and trustees serving two terms or longer. The final part of the study focuses on the impact board development has on board effectiveness.

Hawkins stated that the public should commend individuals for serving as trustees on community college boards and other similar boards in higher education. “Trustees devote a great deal of time to the task of overseeing institutions such as community colleges.”

In addition, Hawkins stated that the entire board structure is unique to the United States and essential to the democratic ideals we value for our colleges, universities, and the nation as a whole.

Hawkins, who was raised in La Grange, is the son of Alma Hawkins and the late OB Hawkins. He is a member of such local organizations as the Lenoir County Historical Association, the La Grange Christian Church, and the La Grange Rotary Club.