Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps Class 19 Team Leader Spotlight: Donald Hawkins

By: Krista Eichhorst

Name: Donald Hawkins

Hometown: Lorton, Virginia

Donald is serving as the Spruce 5 NCCC FEMA Corps Team Leader at the Vinton Campus. He chose to participate in AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps because he wanted to take a break from school that would be positive and full of growth. Donald says that he can’t think of a better way to spend the next 11 months of his life than to serve his country, his fellow Americans and their communities.

Donald graduated from South County High School in 2007 and Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in African American Studies. During college Donald studied abroad in Barbados and co-founded three student organizations.

After his service term ends, he plans to return to school to finish his double major in Biology. In the future he hopes to become a high school teacher and coach track. His goal for this year is to enjoy what’s in front of him and approach it with all his strength, heart, and mind.

Fun Facts about Donald:

Q: What was your first job? Worked at the Green Spring Village Retirement Homes

Q: What is your favorite movie? Titanic and Inception

Q: What will be your first words of advice for your team members? Persevere. Our team is a family. Let’s understand each other on the human level and build on that.

Q: One place in the world you really, really wish you could visit? Seychelles Islands

Q: What is your favorite candy bar? Snickers

Q: Are there any saying your parents repeated over and over that you can still remember clearly? “You can do anything you put your mind to.”

Q: What do you like to do in your free time? Read, play sports, and spend time with family and friends

Q: Could you give us one reason to join AmeriCorps NCCC? It’s a chance to grow and change the world one community at a time.