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Teaching Fellows Director Crystal Espey ’11, ’18MSA Receives College of Education’s 2025 Dr. Louis D. Hunt Service Leadership Award

Crystal Espey with Dean Paola Sztajn
Teaching Fellows at NC State Director Crystal Espey, right, with College of Education Dean Paola Sztajn.

Crystal Espey11, ’18MSA, the director of the Teaching Fellows at NC State program, is the recipient of the College of Education’s 2025 Dr. Louis D. Hunt Service Leadership Award, which recognizes College of Education staff for exemplary service and leadership. 

“I am honored to be a recipient of the Dr. Louis D. Hunt Service Leadership Award and proud to be a part of a college where so many people value a passion for service,” said Espey, who was nominated by her peers for the award and selected by a committee as the recipient. “I believe in the power of paying it forward, creating positive impact through tangible memories, and showing love and care by doing for others. I have been fortunate to learn from some of the best servant-leaders in my personal and professional life, and hope to continue to inspire our pre-service teachers to change lives by leading in this way.”

Currently, over 230 Teaching Fellows are preparing at NC State—nearly half of all Teaching Fellows studying across 10 colleges of education in the state. This past fall, NC State welcomed 121 new Teaching Fellows—the largest cohort in North Carolina and the largest cohort since the program returned in 2017-2018. 

The influx of Teaching Fellows has helped support an increase in the College of Education’s total undergraduate enrollment over the past decade. The college opened the fall with 674 total undergraduates—its largest number of total undergraduates in at least 10 years.

“Crystal is passionate and compassionate, and has created an inclusive environment that students want to be part of and where they can find a sense of belonging,” wrote one of the colleagues who nominated Espey for the peer-nominated award. “She has served as Teaching Fellows’ advisor and teacher, setting the example of what makes educators effective: She centers relationships and goes out of her way to make sure they feel valued and seen.”

Another nominator wrote: “Crystal is taking care of [Teaching Fellows] as family.” 

Over the past year, in addition to serving as the director of Teaching Fellows, Espey took on additional responsibilities as the interim undergraduate recruitment coordinator and lead of the planning committee for the December 2024 graduation ceremony amid staff transitions. 

Beginning in 2025, the College of Education alternates between awarding one EHRA/EPS non-faculty staff member and one SHRA staff member with the Dr. Louis D. Hunt Service Leadership Award each year. Espey is the 2025 EHRA/EPS recipient; next year, the College of Education will award the honor to an SHRA staff member. Recipients  receive a cash award of $1,000.

About the Hunt Award

Started in 2023, the Dr. Louis D. Hunt Service Leadership Award recognizes College of Education staff members for exceeding expectations in their positions and demonstrating outstanding service leadership. The award honors the career of College of Education alumnus Louis Hunt for his distinguished 32-year career at NC State. Eligible recipients have been employed in the College of Education for at least three years as EHRA/ESP non-faculty staff or SHRA staff members; work at least 30 hours each week; and have been nominated by their peers. Prior to 2025, the college recognized each year two staff members—one SHRA staff member and one EHRA non-faculty staff member. Previous recipients are listed below:

2024

  • Kirsten Hoeflaken ’18MED, university program specialist for knowledge management and assessment (SHRA recipient)
  • Ayelen Valeton, business operations manager (EHRA/ESP recipient)

2023

  • Anona Smith Williams, former associate dean for student success and strategic community engagement who retired in spring 2024 (EHRA/ESP recipient)
  • Ann Van Elsue, former graduate student services coordinator in the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development (SHRA recipient)