Crystal Watts, Interm Assistant Director or Community Engagement

Crystal Watts graduated from Southwest MN State University (SMSU) with a BA in Psychology as a non-traditional student. During her time at SMSU she was a civilian member of the Veterans Club, serving as treasurer and helping coordinate community service projects. She also joined the SMSU Forensics team as a student coach and team judge, traveling to many competitions as a team support. She also interned in the newly established Office of Civic and Community Engagement, working on a team to help define the space and the goals for campus and community service. She then served 2 consecutive years as an CNCS AmeriCorps VISTA, researching student basic needs insecurities on the campus of SMSU. During her 2 years of service, she created campus and community partnerships; researched the topic of basic needs insecurities on local, state, and national levels; input data for grant writing to establish funding for space renovations and food rescue partnership establishment with Second Harvest Heartland; coordinated student involvement for the establishment of the new pantry on the campus of SMSU. Crystal lives in Mankato and enjoys hiking, crafting, hanging out with friends and taking care of her pet cat...a ginger named Gordy.