Diana Hawley’s first public school experience came when she attended St. Mary’s College as an undergrad. The 1996 graduate majored in psychology, and she later discovered the value of her public education, which later served as a model for what she would want for all Maryland children, including her own.
Hawley currently serves as the president of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE). She recently completed two terms on the Board of Education of Cecil County. In both elected positions, she has kept her focus on ensuring every child in Maryland has access to a strong and equitable education. “SMCM was more than just about academic preparation for me. I was a psychology major focused on child development; that knowledge was a good foundation for my professional career, but I also developed critical thinking and leadership skills; learned how to live, learn, and work with people from all kinds of diverse backgrounds; and the importance of balancing hard work and fun.” Outside of school work at St. Mary’s College, Hawley recalls being class president and working for student activities during the academic year and being involved with volleyball in the summertime. “All of those experiences reinforced my belief that learning does not just happen in the classroom, she said. “Being involved, collaborating with others, and using your voice productively are also important.”
Hawley served her two terms on the Cecil County Board of Education beginning in 2018 and again when she was re-elected in 2022. She spent two of those years as vice president and four years as president. She said she is honored to serve on MABE, noting that “no matter where you are from, how big your district is, or who makes up your community, we all share the same focus: our students. That's why I strongly believe it is vital to focus on what we have in common--what unites us--as we all share the same core mission of ensuring that every child in Maryland has access to a strong, equitable, and high-quality public education.”