Crystal Watts, Assistant Director of Community Engagement

Crystal Watts graduated from Southwest MN State University (SMSU) in 2018 with a BA Psychology, minoring in Religious Studies as a non-traditional student. Her time spent growing up on military bases, moving every 2-3 years showed her the power of community, networking, and self-advocacy to meet human need. As a non-traditional student, sitting in classes with peers 10+ years younger, she was inspired by how the younger generations think, process, and act within their education. Learning new material related to her degree and learning how to be a student all over again at an older age than her classroom peers, Crystal was also inspired by the concept of Lifelong Learning and chose to dig deeper into what it means to be an active participant in the learning process.

After earning her BA, Crystal interned in the Office of Civic and Community Engagement at SMSU while serving 2 consecutive years as a CNCS AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer In Service To America). During her 2 years of national volunteer service, she created campus and community partnerships in the Marshall, MN region; researched the topic of student basic needs insecurities on local, state, and national levels; helped write a grant & opened the Mustang Market, SMSU's Student Food Pantry. The Mustang Market is currently fully funded by the SMSU Foundation and was vital in the success of students during the Covid 19 Pandemic years.

More recently, Crystal graduated with her MS Counseling & Student Personnel from Minnesota State University, Mankato 2024 with an emphasis in College Student Affairs. She is excited to share in the many adventures and successes that students find in the Student Activities Department every day at MSU, Mankato. Community Engagement and building partnerships through collaboration is her passion. Her office is specifically tasked with connecting students to one-time and ongoing volunteering opportunities on the MSU campus and in the greater Mankato region.

"Volunteer service isn't just being the 'hands' of an operation, it's about creative thinking, networking & envisioning a world where everyone is better working together while intentionally recognizing the human being standing on the other side of your outstretched hand"

Crystal lives in Mankato and enjoys cycling, hiking, and crafting with her partner, Mark. Together they fawn over their orange tabby cat, Gordy, who remains on the hunt for the shared orange cat brain cell.