Southwest Virginia Higher Ed Center

Crystal Hunnicutt, a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University’s first nurse anesthesia cohort at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, has built a successful career in healthcare education and now has continued her journey with the Center in a new capacity. Growing up in Haysi, Virginia, Crystal earned her associate’s degree in nursing from Southwest Virginia Community College before completing her bachelor’s degree at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. She then pursued a master's degree in nurse anesthesia through VCU’s program at the Center, which allowed her to stay close to home. “I was a single mother,” she said. "This was my opportunity to be able to obtain a degree from Virginia Commonwealth University but not have to leave the area.” Crystal excelled in the nurse anesthesia program during her time at the Center, even earning the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2017. “I was super excited and I still am so proud of that award,” she said. “It meant a lot to me that they recognized that I had achieved my degree and then was trying to give back to the community.” CRYSTAL HUNNICUTT VCU Class of ‘06

“I was a single mother. This was my opportunity to be able to obtain a degree from Virginia Commonwealth University but not have to leave the area.” After completing her master’s degree in nurse anesthesia, Crystal went on to complete her doctorate degree in nurse anesthesia practice from VCU in 2010. Crystal’s educational journey led her to a fulfilling career as a full-time educator. After starting as an adjunct faculty member at UVA Wise, she discovered her passion for teaching. “I just fell in love with it,” Crystal said. She obtained a full time role teaching at Lincoln Memorial University and eventually became the nurse anesthesia program director there. Today, Crystal combines her clinical experience with her love for education by serving as the director of Southwest operations for VCU’s nurse anesthesia program, where she oversees the programs at both the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center and the Roanoke Higher Education Center. “It’s always been in my heart,” said Crystal. “I always thought I’d return here.”

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Great People, Greater Stories

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