Todd Hawley attended George Washington University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian Studies and Economics and his Master of Arts degree in Space Policy.

[2] While an undergraduate, Hawley started the local chapter of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS).

In 1982, along with Peter Diamandis and Robert D. Richards, he co-founded SEDS-USA as a national group,[3] later serving as the Chairman from 1983 - 1985.

[2]In 1990, Hawley came out publicly as a gay man, and spoke out against homophobia, stating that human bigotry was perhaps the one thing that could stand in the way of the work ISU was striving to accomplish.

[2][6] He is survived by his life partner, Yuri Hospodar, his family of origin, and his many colleagues and friends in the space communities.