Building community through movement: Health and physical education major Justin Hawkins prepares to teach

When Justin Hawkins walks across the stage at Commencement this spring, he’ll do so with recognition from the leading professional organization in his field—and a clearer sense of the educator he hopes to become.

Hawkins, a senior health and physical education (HPE) major in Rowan University’s College of Education, earned recognition as a SHAPE America Major of the Year. The award is a national honor that recognizes outstanding undergraduate students preparing to enter the health and physical education profession.

When he saw a fellow Rowan student win it last year, he said it became a goal of his. Not something he was chasing, but something to strive for.

Though thrilled to find out he was nominated by Rowan’s HPE faculty earlier this year, Hawkins’ initial reaction was disbelief. “It’s crazy. When they said it was unanimous, that meant a lot,” he said.

On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Hawkins will walk in the College of Education Commencement ceremony. This fall, he will complete his full-time student teaching placements at Swift Elementary School and Fernwood Middle School before earning his New Jersey teaching certification.

Teaching with intention

Hawkins’ path to education wasn’t linear. He arrived at Rowan as a business major, believing that would set him up for financial success after graduation. But after his first semester—and some honest self-reflection—he returned to what had drawn him since childhood: teaching.

“I’ve wanted to teach since I was little,” he says. Like many kids, Hawkins went through a phase where he wanted to be an astronaut when he grew up. After that, he envisioned himself as a math teacher.

“But what I really wanted to do was build community,” Hawkins said.

At Rowan, he realized that health and physical education would offer a powerful way to do that.

“You see every student,” Hawkins explains. “And I can be part of a process and connect with them.” He sees HPE as an opportunity to teach kids confidence, teamwork, movement and habits that last a lifetime.

That philosophy has guided his work in the field. Through Rowan’s program, Hawkins gained experience across grade levels and school settings, from elementary and middle schools to adapted physical education classrooms serving students with disabilities. One experience—volunteering at a Special Olympics track meet during a makeup observation day—stands out.

“These were kids that we saw were struggling in class—whether that be cognitively or psychomotor, depending on the task—but when you saw them competing and being successful in the races—things that were more their strong suit—it was incredible,” Hawkins said. “It was a really good experience; I stayed the whole day.”

A leader among peers

Beyond the classroom, Hawkins has been a central figure in Rowan’s Health & Physical Education Club, serving four semesters on the executive board, most recently as vice president. The club focuses on preparing future educators through professional development, conference participation, certifications and community-building.

Their goal is to help students graduate as the most-qualified teacher candidates possible, Hawkins explained. “Not just with a degree, but with experiences they can actually put to use,” he said.

Under the board’s leadership, participation in club activities grew significantly, and students have taken greater advantage of faculty guidance and professional opportunities, according to Hawkins. He credits that collaborative structure—and the professors who support it—with setting Rowan apart.

“We meet weekly with faculty,” he said. “And they’re actively working with us to make this program better.”

Hawkins also serves as a student ambassador for the College of Education and plays on a Rowan Men’s Club basketball team—balancing academics, leadership and athletics.

Mentorship that matters

Central to Hawkins’ growth has been the mentorship of faculty members, particularly Cory Elijah Dixon, Ph.D., whom he credits with helping him rethink leadership, teaching and his own potential.

“He pushed me to get involved before I thought I was ready,” Hawkins says.

Dixon first met Hawkins while teaching an introductory course and noticed his curiosity immediately. “The questions that he asked stood out,” Dixon said, noting that Hawkins was clearly already thinking about “C” while the class discussion was still on “A” and “B.” Hawkins frequently came to office hours not just for clarification, Dixon added, but to engage more deeply, ask follow‑up questions and explore ideas beyond the course material.

That insight is one reason Dixon encouraged Hawkins to pursue a leadership role within HPE Club earlier than Hawkins initially planned. Dixon saw the potential in Hawkins, citing his rapport with peers, cultural perspective and willingness to engage beyond the classroom. “He’s excelled in every context we've put him in,” Dixon said, listing other accomplishments like serving as an ambassador for College of Education and presenting at the NJAHPERD conference. When it came time for the HPE faculty to select a nominee to represent Rowan at the SHAPE America awards, the choice was easy.

“This individual is really blossoming into the epitome of what we want to see in the field,” Dixon said. As a Black male in a profession where educators of color—and men especially—are underrepresented, Hawkins’ presence and approach stood out, Dixon said. “He’s a representative of an underrepresented group.”

As Hawkins prepares for Commencement, he said his experience at Rowan has shaped his long-term aspirations.

“I want to teach for a few years, then maybe become a principal. Or a professor,” he says. Sharing what he learns in the field—and helping other teachers teach—that’s one way he’d like to make an even bigger impact.

“I’ve had people believe in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” Hawkins says. “If I can be that person for even one student, I’m doing my job.”

Every spring, Rowan University highlights one graduating student from each school and college. Read more about this year’s featured graduates. Their stories show the ambition, purpose and creative collaboration that drive all Rowan students to Defy Definition.