Graduation was a favorite time of year for Dr. Shawna Dinkins. She would put on her doctoral robe and speak to graduates of Lynwood USD about the bright futures they had ahead.

“She would see her students, who she kind of babied and mothered along the way, finally get their wings,” said her husband, Daniel Dinkins. “She’d give a speech and, you know, just smile from ear to ear. She loved it.”

Shawna Dinkins passed away earlier this year after a brief battle with cancer. Although she wasn’t a speaker at this year’s commencement speeches, Dinkins’ legacy will live on in each graduating class at Lynwood USD, where her leadership had a profound and indelible impact on student achievement. These efforts have earned her recognition as ACSA’s 2025 Curriculum & Instruction Administrator of the Year.

Dinkins joined Lynwood USD as the deputy superintendent in 2018. Under her guidance, every school in the district achieved recognition for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and became a designated community school, thanks to a $24 million grant Dinkins secured. She expanded dual enrollment opportunities, enabling the first cohort of students to graduate with both a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree.

Additionally, her work garnered CABSE recognition for innovative practices benefiting Black and Brown students, and National Equity Lab acknowledgment for students taking college courses while in high school.

Through each initiative she spearheaded, Dinkins carefully examined the data to see that her efforts were working — and they were: Under her watch, FAFSA completion rates increased by 30 percent, graduation rates among special education and English learner students went up 6 percent, and 70 percent of students in Lynwood High School’s Class of 2024 participated in AP courses, which earned the district recognition from the College Board AP Honor Roll.

By creating Social-Emotional Learning Specialist positions and implementing a Social-Emotional Framework, she addressed students’ holistic needs, ensuring that emotional well-being supports academic success.

“Dr. Dinkins was a force for good, a mentor, and a champion for students,” said Dr. Gudiel Crosthwaite, superintendent of Lynwood USD. “Her passion for education was unmatched, and she dedicated herself to ensuring that every student had the resources, opportunities, and support to succeed.”

Daniel Dinkins said it was his wife’s infectious smile and attitude that bonded people to her and her vision.

“Everybody loved being around her, and she made everybody feel special,” he said. “She didn’t treat them like employees, she treated them like hey, you’re on my team. You’re my sister. You’re my brother, and we’re going to do this together.”

She established the Aspiring Administrators Academy, providing professional development and mentorship to cultivate future leaders committed to equity and excellence.

Seeking to further her own professional development, Dinkins earned her doctorate from the University of Southern California while working and raising her two daughters, Kenady and Nia, now 26 and 20.

“It was a team effort for us at home,” Daniel Dinkins said. “We knew that there were times she needed to go ahead and be isolated to conduct her studies. So I would step up and help with the kids. I’d say you study, take a few hours to do what you got to do on your end to get this, because I know it was something that she really, really enjoyed doing.”

Outside of work and her education, Dinkins’ passions included traveling to tropical destinations like Aruba, Turks and Caicos, and Jamaica, and enjoying time with family and friends.

“It was really a lot of fun for her to plan out her birthday month — she didn’t celebrate just one day, she celebrated the entire month,” Daniel Dinkins said.

As they got ready to go to sleep each night, Daniel, who is also a manager, said he and his wife would often trade notes about their leadership challenges — but mostly successes. “She definitely bragged about her people,” he said. “She can go in and talk to people and make them feel good about what they were doing. And once they did that, they would succeed. She fed into people and they responded positively.”

Her childhood friend Dr. Darneika Watson, superintendent of Glendale USD, said she first saw Dinkins’ influence before they were educators, back when they were both students at UCLA.

“Shawna was able to build relationships that not only fostered her growth but also the growth of others,” Watson said. “I would have opportunities to see her in action while we worked in the same district, and as she promoted, I took every opportunity to see her present at conferences and share her expertise. Shawna’s leadership style always placed students as a priority. She only did what was good and right for students. Her team, community, mentees, and students saw that firsthand.”

Dinkins will be honored posthumously at this year’s Leadership Summit, which will explore the theme “Lead Loudly: Sharing Stories. Building Bridges.” Those who knew her said the theme exemplifies her leadership.

“Shawna led loudly and unapologetically,” Watson said. “She wanted to make sure that her work told a story about the journey and growth of Lynwood USD. The work was never about her, but the district coming together to make a significant change. Shawna’s selfless leadership allowed her to bridge gaps in student achievement, parent engagement, professional development, and community partnerships. Lynwood has a story to tell because of her fantastic work.”