Merrill Hawkins

B.A. Baylor University (1985)

M.Div. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1990)

Ph.D. (Religion/Historical Studies) Baylor University (1994)

M.Ed. (Curriculum and Instruction) Carson-Newman University (2022)

Clinical Pastoral Education Residency, University of Tennessee Medical Center (2003-2004)

Dr. Hawkins has served as a member of the faculty in the School of Biblical and Theological Studies since 1995. From 2008-2013, he held a joint appointment in Graduate Counseling as Professor of Counseling and Religion. He continues to teach one course per year in Graduate Counseling, COUN 653, Spirituality and Mental Health, a CACREP-aligned course.

In undergraduate education, Dr. Hawkins teaches first year courses in Old Testament, as well as upper division courses in religion and mental/emotional health and well-being, such as Love, Grief, and Anger, among others.

In 2025, Dr. Hawkins became Director of the William Blevins Institute for Spirituality and Mental Health.  The Blevins Institute promotes the positive role of Christianity in the promotion of well-being, as well as in being an ally with mental health treatment.  The Institute is named for Dr. William Blevins, an alumnus of Carson-Newman who served as Chair of the Department of Religion and founder and first chair of the Graduate Counseling Department.

In addition to his work at Carson-Newman, Hawkins serves regularly as pastor of area churches.

Mel is married to Dr. Kimberly Hawkins, Dean of the School of Education and Counseling. They enjoy spending time with their grown children and travel of all types, especially to Major League Baseball parks.