Crystal Crockett named director of development for institutional diversity
Crystal Crockett has been appointed director of development for institutional diversity at Virginia Tech.
In her new position, Crockett is the major gifts officer for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion's fundraising efforts responsible for developing a comprehensive strategic plan to outline goals and strategies to accomplish the office's fundraising goals.
"We are thrilled to have Crystal back in Blacksburg," said William Lewis Sr., vice president for diversity and inclusion. "As a graduate of this university, she understands our mission and the important role that fundraising plays in building a more diverse and inclusive educational environment."
Crockett brings considerable experience in higher education fundraising having most recently served as major gifts and annual fund officer at Virginia State University. Prior to that, she served that university as interim director of annual giving, assistant director for the annual fund, and manager of the call center.
Crockett earned her bachelor's degree in marketing management from Virginia Tech. She went on to earn a master’s degree of media management from Virginia State University and obtained a certificate in fundraising management through the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Crockett said she is excited to be back at her alma mater and looks forward to developing and implementing strategies to financially support and enhance Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community.
"It is so great to come back to a place that gave me so much," Crockett said. "Now more than ever, we need to increase higher education accessibility for underrepresented students, not only in the commonwealth, but in the nation, regardless of their personal or family financial status."
Crockett credits her desire to work in development to her experience at Virginia Tech. While an undergraduate she worked as a student caller in the Student Calling Center. She said her first-hand experience and interactions with Virginia Tech alumni significantly contributed to her career in Higher Education Development.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.
