A retired Seneca Valley and Steubenville, Ohio, public school teacher with 35 years service, Grace Hawkins joined the Slippery Rock University Council of Trustees in November, 2005.

Ms. Hawkins earned her bachelor of science degree from Wilberforce University. In addition to her master's degree and more than 30 credits in science and education, in 1990 she attended San Diego State University for training as an Operations Physics instructor, a program sponsored by the American Institute of Physics. The program is a nationwide effort funded by the National Science Foundation to help improve the teaching and learning of basic physics concepts for upper elementary and middle school students. Once trained, she served as a temporary instruction (adjunct professor) in the department of education studies at SRU where she has also taken courses.

In addition to her SRU work, Ms. Hawkins served as a summer instructor at Edinboro University in the Partner for Academic Progress program, geared toward inner-city middle and high school students.

She has served 15 years on the board of trustees for the Butler County Community College and is active in a number of community organizations, including serving as president of the Northwest Camp of the Gideon's Auxiliary.

In her spare time, the mother and grandmother spends time with her book club, golfing and traveling.