Robin Hawkins has worked as an instructor at Salt Lake Community College’s Taylorsville Redwood Campus for seven years, teaching her two favorite classes: “Mind and Body Connection,” and “Stress Management.”
Hawkins’ previous work as an advertiser created a lot of stress. During that time, Hawkins was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Soon after, she decided she wanted to do something more important.
“I wanted to get into any position where I could counsel people,” said Hawkins. “Not just counsel – I wanted to share how important it is to listen to your body and not live in a state of looming stress.”
Hawkins says she loves teaching her favorite subjects at SLCC, and she plans to be here for many years to come.
Hawkins had help getting the SLCC job from her good friend Soni Adams, who was her previous “Stress Management” teacher and who is now the Health & Lifetime Activities department chair.
“I called her every week to help me get a job,” said Hawkins.
Hawkins had earned undergraduate degrees in Psychology, Behavioral Science and Health, and a Master’s Degree in Health Promotion and Education
In earlier years, Hawkins had been engaged on four separate occasions to four separate people. Each time, the wedding was fully planned, and each time, she decided to break it off.
The cycle finally broke when she dated a friend who had a best friend who she thought was “awesome.” The awesome guy is now her husband of 13 years.
At the age of 30, Hawkins and her husband had a baby girl named Aspen.
“I love my daughter; she is my life,” said Hawkins.
Hawkins grew up at the mouth of Cottonwood Canyon. Even though she moved around Utah for a while, she ended up back in the same neighborhood where she grew up.
Hawkins says that her biggest accomplishment is learning to rethink challenges.
“I know that having multiple sclerosis has been a blessing in my life instead of a curse,” said Hawkins. “It’s taught me to slow down and enjoy feeling the breeze. Just being able to get up and walk every day is something to be grateful for.”
