Hawkins became the 19th president of Union College on July 1, 2012. Under her tenure, the college has expanded academic programming, developed successful programs like UGRAD and UCE, and opened its doors to the Ramsey Center for Health and Natural Sciences, which houses state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories, and the Edna Jenkins Mann School of Nursing. Additionally, Hawkins orchestrated the acquisition of the Stivers Aquatic Center and the subsequent grand opening of the Union College Center for Health and Learning. The building houses the Union College Boys & Girls Club, a program she also launched, which provides safe and educational after-school and summer programming for children in Knox County.