{"id":1714,"date":"2021-03-25T13:14:11","date_gmt":"2021-03-25T17:14:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.virginiawestern.edu\/grants\/notes\/?p=1714"},"modified":"2026-01-20T15:19:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T20:19:51","slug":"please-welcome-our-new-get-real-coordinator-crystal-hall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.virginiawestern.edu\/grants\/2021\/03\/please-welcome-our-new-get-real-coordinator-crystal-hall\/","title":{"rendered":"Please welcome our new Get REAL coordinator: Crystal Hall"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We’re excited to introduce Crystal Hall<\/strong>, Virginia Western’s new Get REAL Activity Coordinator, who started March 25.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Crystal
Crystal Hall<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This role is foundational to our 5-year, $1.8 million Title III project, as Crystal will lead the day-to-day grant activities and serve as a connector across college departments and the greater community to help Refocus Education on Adult Learners (REAL)<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, the Get REAL core team includes Project Director Milan Hayward <\/strong>and Cathy Ferguson<\/strong>, Virginia Western’s first Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Specialist<\/a>. Future hires will include a College Career Navigator and College Affordability Navigator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crystal earned a Bachelor of Arts from Roanoke College, with a major in Music and minor in Religion, followed by a master’s in Christian Education from the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. She served in church and parachurch minisitries for more than 15 years before joining the Roanoke Housing Authority<\/strong>, where she has worked for almost nine years. During that time, she helped secure and manage a federal Jobs Plus grant and became a key community partner with the RSVP program through the College of Career & Corporate Training. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What called her to work for Virginia Western? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crystal said she wants to help us engage and serve a broader audience. “I believe in the importance of education,”<\/em> she said. “This grant will focus on adult learners and will lay the foundation for them to build better lives for themselves and their families.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I once read entering an organization is like joining a party that has been going on without you for years … so I’m going to act like a polite hostess and help make some introductions through the Q&A below.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Crystal
Isabelle<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> I was born in Roanoke but moved to Franklin County when I was 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First job:<\/strong> Library assistant during college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proudest career accomplishment:<\/strong> Helping the Roanoke Housing Authority get the Jobs Plus grant<\/a>. We were one of nine awarded nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Favorite music:<\/strong> Classic rock like the Doobie Brothers or Bob Seger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Favorite TV: <\/strong>I like sci-fi.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you had to pick one favorite movie:<\/strong> “My Cousin Vinny”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any book recommendations?<\/strong> The Bible<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Favorite Roanoke-area restaurant(s):<\/strong> Abuelo’s<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Favorite candy:<\/strong> Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I could talk for hours about … <\/strong>My dog, Isabelle. She’s a miniature long-haired dachshund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Random fun fact:<\/strong>  I love to camp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Please help me welcome Crystal Hall as we start this journey together! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can reach her by email: chall@virginiawestern.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On our grant radar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

*Free* professional learning opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n