Commander LA’SHANDA HAWKINS: Soaring to New Heights in Service and Leadership

By Maurice Hawkins, USCG Retired

Commander La’Shanda Hawkins epitomizes the pinnacle of leadership, resilience, and dedication within the United States Coast Guard’s illustrious history. With an extraordinary career spanning various roles, she has not only navigated the skies as a skilled MH-65 Dolphin helicopter pilot but has also left an indelible mark as an advocate, educator, and inspirational figure.

Hailing from Plainfield, New Jersey, and nurtured in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Commander Hawkins charted her flight path early on, but it wasn’t without her fair share of challenges. In her formative years, tragedy struck when La’Shanda lost her mother to suicide. Later, she was taken in by a family relative, but the environment turned unhealthy and abusive, leading her into the foster care system. For years, La’Shanda navigated the complexities of the foster care system until she aged out during her college years. Despite these adversities, she persevered and graduated from Spelman College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2007, showcasing remarkable resilience and determination. Her subsequent decision to join the United States Coast Guard through the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI) underscored her unwavering commitment to both service and education.

Her journey through the ranks took her to Coast Guard Air Stations in Miami, Los Angeles, and Atlantic City, where she displayed exemplary leadership, overseeing critical operations, and flying missions vital for national security. As an Aircraft Commander, she led her crew through perilous conditions, executing daring search and rescue missions, drug interdictions, and marine environmental protection efforts.

Notably, her tenure as a White House Fellow during the Obama Administration marked a pinnacle in her career. Tasked with interfacing at the highest levels of government, she served as a Special Assistant to the NASA Administrator, General Charles Bolden, embodying the spirit of innovation and excellence that defines both the Coast Guard and NASA.

Her relentless pursuit of knowledge and growth is evident through her academic accomplishments from prestigious institutions like Harvard Kennedy School of Government and Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Her participation as a Term Member with the Council on Foreign Relations underscores her commitment to global leadership and diplomacy.

Commander Hawkins’ contributions extend beyond her military service. Her recognition in various professional and community awards, including induction into the International Forest of Friendship and selection as one of Grio’s Top 100 History Makers, highlights her impact as a trailblazer and community leader.

Furthermore, her dedication to empowering marginalized youth through board memberships in Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum and Foster Club showcases her commitment to giving back and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

La’Shanda and her husband, retired Coast Guard Veteran Maurice Hawkins, reside in Maryland and prepare to welcome a new addition to their family.

Commander La’Shanda Hawkins’ story serves as a guiding light, illuminating the path for aspiring aviators, leaders, and change-makers, demonstrating that with resilience, determination, and a commitment to excellence, the sky is not the limit but only the beginning of a remarkable journey for anyone who chooses to take flight!