Page 31 - Laker Connection Spring 2013

alumni profile
CLAYTON STATE HELPED NANCY CRAWFORD REACH HER DREAMS
Nancy Crawford, ‘89, came to Clay- ton State as a non-traditional stu- dent. Going back to school after being in the workforce was some- thing she wanted and thought was important. She recognized Clayton State as the school that could help her reach her dreams.
“The counselors and instructors were encourag- ing and flexible and made me realize that going back to school was something that I could do,” she says.
Most graduates have a pretty good idea of what they want to do with their degree; they just don’t know how to get there. With the help of the job placement counselors at Clayton State, Nancy Craw- ford received information that led directly to a job offer right after graduation. On graduation day, she couldn’t have been happier. She was one of the first graduates to receive a bachelor’s degree at Clayton State, and she would soon be back in the workforce. Clayton State and its dedicated staff were the reason her dreams were coming true.
“I will be forever grateful for that fateful phone call from Clayton State. My career has been rich with opportunity since earning my degree, and my life has been full of incredible experiences and insight into the world,” exclaims Crawford of her ca- reer with the federal government.
Crawford’s career has stretched over many de- partments and states. She has held positions in Or- lando, Fla., and northern Virginia. Because of her hard work and reliable attitude, she was promoted to workforce operations officer shortly after gaining her first position as an outstanding scholar intern at Fort McPherson. She later transferred to the Pentagon to work on the Army policy staff.
Crawford was in her office on Sept. 11, 2001 when the Pentagon was attacked. She remembers the day vividly and confesses that it was the scariest day of her adult life. One moment she was sitting in her office, watching the CNN coverage of the Twin Tow- ers attack, and the next moment she felt her building
shake and started to see thick black smoke billowing from the hallways. She and thousands of military personal got out as fast as they could.
“Nothing would prepare me for what I saw when I finally made it outside of the building... I ob- served absolute mayhem; people lying on the grass covered in blood, people burned who were screaming and crying, and the
smell of jet fuel that I
will never forget.”
In the midst of the trauma and com- motion, all Crawford wanted to do was go home to her family. She made it safely to her car and offered a ride to a man that had
been walking with her. The next day she found out that many of her colleagues and superiors were miss- ing, and they would soon be pronounced dead.
She eventually left the Department of Defense and assumed her first director of Human Resources position at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commis- sion, but she asserts that the events of 9/11 did not influence her decision to leave the Army Policy staff. Crawford is currently the director of Human Re- sources at Mine Safety and Health Administration; she feels that it is an important and satisfying job.
“It’s extremely fulfilling because it’s an im- portant mission—keeping the workplace safe for an industry that produces more than 75 percent of the resources required to provide electric power to the country,” states Crawford.
Crawford is married with two children, loves fishing, snorkeling, sailing, and is a great cook.
With a balanced and satisfying life, Crawford has Clayton State to thank for her broadened oppor- tunities, rewarding career, and accomplished dreams.
_ Samantha Watson
I will be forever grateful for that fateful phone call from Clayton State. My career has been rich with opportunity since earning my degree, and my life has been full of incredible experiences and insight into the world.
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