Dr. Bill C. Hawkins currently serves as the UNCF President in Residence. Prior to this role, he distinguished himself as the president of Talladega College from January 1, 2008, until his recent transition. During his tenure as the institution’s 20th president, Dr. Hawkins achieved significant milestones, including stabilizing finances, increasing fundraising, expanding academic offerings, and guiding the college through a successful ten-year SACS accreditation. Under his leadership, Talladega College experienced record-breaking enrollment increases and was recognized among the Princeton Review’s best colleges in the Southeast and U.S. News and World Report’s best regional colleges and best HBCUs.

Prior to his role at Talladega College, Dr. Hawkins served as the 20th president of Texas College, where he orchestrated an impressive turnaround. During his seven-year tenure beginning in December 2000, the college experienced an 82% increase in student enrollment within the first ten months, regained accreditation, stabilized finances, and reinstated membership in the UNCF. Dr. Hawkins also implemented new academic programs, constructed facilities, eliminated long-term debt, and initiated successful athletic programs.

Before his presidency at Texas College, Dr. Hawkins held various leadership positions, including Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Professor of Education at Mississippi Valley State University. He began his career in education within the Lansing, Michigan Public Schools System and transitioned to higher education, serving in roles such as Vice President for Academic Affairs/Professor at Saint Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, Virginia, and Acting Dean, Associate Dean, and Assistant Dean/Professor in the College of Education at Ferris State University.

A recognized leader in education, Dr. Hawkins has been featured on numerous television programs and publications, including the O’Reilly Factor with Bill O’Reilly, ABC Evening News with Peter Jennings, Alabama Business Magazine, Diverse Issues in Higher Education, and U.S. News and World Report. He currently serves as vice-chair of member institutions for the UNCF board of directors and has received several prestigious awards for his contributions to education and community service.

Dr. Hawkins holds a B.S. in Teacher Education from Ferris State University, an M.A. in Education Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in Education from Michigan State University. He has also completed post-doctorate studies at Harvard University. Dr. Hawkins, originally from Kent, Ohio, now resides in Talladega, AL, with his wife Lucy.