During its recent annual convention in Orlando, Florida, the American Association of Community Colleges recognized Richland Community College Professor Evyonne Hawkins as a recipient of the Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty designation. Named in honor of former AACC President and CEO Dale P. Parnell, this designation has been established to recognize individuals making a difference in the classroom. Professor Hawkins was recognized for her passion for her students and classroom; her support for students inside and outside the classroom; her participation in various college committees; and her willingness to go above and beyond what is required to ensure that students are successful in their academic endeavors. Cristobal Valdez, Richland President, accompanied Professor Hawkins to receive her recognition. Valdez noted, “Professor Hawkins has demonstrated superlative leadership throughout her tenure at Richland. Her positive example extends beyond the classroom and is a positive impact on our entire community.”
Professor Hawkins began her career at the College over 25 years ago as an administrative assistant where she was a member of a three-person team that was responsible for the initial development and implementation of the associate degree nursing program. This became one of the many successes that supported her desire to realize her fullest potential through higher education. At Richland she received two degrees: Associate of Applied Science in Office Technology and an Associate in Science in General Education. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from the University of Illinois-Springfield and has been named Faculty of the Year and Distinguished Alumna at Richland. She created the African American studies degree program at Richland and dual credit programs at Eisenhower and MacArthur high schools.
She states her biggest successes have come first in the classroom where she has been responsible for the development of the Education curriculum and programming as well as the redesign of the African American Studies into a degree program. Over time, she has built relationships with university faculty to articulate these degree programs at the four-year level, assuring that Richland students can easily transfer.
Professor Hawkins believes that to effect positive change in the world is everyone’s responsibility, and she has taken this to the next level at Richland.