Mary Hawkins

Dr. Mary Hawkins joined Bellevue University in 1995 as Vice President for Enrollment and Outreach, became Provost in 1999, and was named the University’s fourth president in 2009. Since her arrival, Bellevue University has changed dramatically in enrollment, geographic reach, scope of programs and services, and in the strong national and international partnerships it is developing. Dr. Hawkins has been instrumental in assessing market needs, developing curriculum, marketing programs, and forging strong partnerships with community and business leaders.

During her tenure, Bellevue University has experienced record enrollment growth and has been consistently recognized as one of the nation’s best institutions for working adults and military personnel. Additionally, the University has created a strong and growing presence in the Hispanic community, both locally and nationally. In 2000, Dr. Hawkins implemented an outreach project and began a scholarship program for Omaha’s South Omaha Hispanic community, while more recently she initiated a partnership with the Mexican Consulate in Nebraska, where Bellevue University funds a position to support education at all levels. The partnership with the Consul has led the University to develop a new initiative with the Universidad Juarez del Estado de Durango (UJED) featuring joint curriculum development and student and faculty exchanges.

Dr. Hawkins is credited with establishing Bellevue University’s “Real Learning for Real Life” applied learning approach that helps undergraduate, graduate and doctoral-level students master in-demand professional skills and knowledge. Her keen interest and focus on the needs of working mothers, military spouses and those juggling careers and families while pursuing their education has led the University to continually innovate in ways that provide students with access, as well as the opportunity to advance and make a better life for their families.

Whether she is engaged locally, regionally or nationally, Dr. Hawkins has earned a reputation as a dynamic, involved, hands-on leader who sees a need and then tackles the issue head on. A few of the organizations that have benefited from her energetic leadership include the American Council on Education, the Boy Scouts of America, the Oracle Education and Research Strategy Council, the United Way of the Midlands and the Omaha Business Ethics Alliance.

Further evidence of her impact can be seen in her recent efforts that disrupted tradition and brought business and educational administrators together to serve the Council of Independent Nebraska Colleges Foundation, and the key role she has played in establishing groundbreaking education-as-a-benefit partnerships through Guild Education with corporate partners, including Walmart and The Walt Disney Company.

Dr. Hawkins holds a Ph.D. in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, as well as a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of California-Davis, and a Bachelor of Science in Business and Public Administration from the University of Arizona.