Zach Hawkins has worked at the OPI since 2018. He served as the Indian
Education for All Director before assuming the role of Title I/Federal Programs
Director and Private School Ombudsman. Prior to joining the OPI, he worked
in Federal college access programs for 12 years, most notably as the Director
of the Montana Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate
Programs (GEAR UP) program for 5 years. At the beginning of his career, he
taught middle and high school social studies in Hays Lodgepole and Heart
Butte.
His professional accomplishments include guiding the Hays Lodgepole
Thunderbirds football team to their first victory in 5 years, receiving the Helena
Education Foundation’s Distinguished Educator Award, and co-leading the
National Council for Community Educational Partnerships’ College and Career
Readiness Evaluation Project.
Zach and his wife have two sons aged 12 and 15. In his free time, he attends
his sons’ mountain bike races and hockey games, skis, and explores Montana
with his family.