Faces - Micki Crowder

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The College of Education is almost like a second home for Micki Crowder, who is the program assistant for the Teaching Fellows Program.

“This is really a great place to work – the faculty members are all tremendous people who are dedicated teachers and researchers – and my boss Misty Hathcock is wonderful,” said Crowder. “I feel blessed to be able to work with such wonderful colleagues and around such enthusiastic students.”

The N.C. Teaching Fellows Program is a statewide scholarship program designed to recruit talented high school graduates into the teaching profession.  At UNC Charlotte, teaching fellows participate in a number of cultural events, activities and professional development opportunities beyond the traditional collegiate curriculum. As program assistant, Crowder handles the day-to-day administrative duties, including ensuring the fellows are completing program requirements.

“It’s very rewarding to work with such incredible students – it’s the best part of my job,” Crowder stated. “They come to us as the tops in their class, so they are all academically gifted and well-rounded individuals. Because I work so closely with them, I develop a personal connection with them. They’re around the same age as my own children, so it’s easy to relate to them.”

Due to cuts in the state budget, the N.C. Teaching Fellows Program is being phased out. Crowder said the University’s final fellows will graduate in 2015 unless the General Assembly decides to restore funding, which she hopes will happen. She noted outstanding teachers continue to be a need across the state.

A native of Georgia, Crowder arrived in the Queen City about 10 years ago by way of Flower Mound, Texas. Her husband Darryl accepted a job at Wachovia (now Wells Fargo), and the bank transferred him to Charlotte. The couple and their two children, Hannah and Matthew (now 20 and 16), took up residence in Concord.

A stay-at-home mom, Crowder decided to reenter the workforce; she accepted an administrative position at Pitts School Road Elementary. In 2008, she joined UNC Charlotte and the College of Education. The first three years, she was with the Department of Middle, Secondary and K-12 Education.

In addition to her regular duties, Crowder is a member of the UNC Charlotte Staff Council, where she serves as the Area 7 representative for the colleges of Education and Health and Human Services. She noted the Staff Council is an important part of the University, and the representatives are interested in developing events and opportunities to improve employee morale and to make everyone’s job more enjoyable. She encouraged staff members who have suggestions or ideas to contact her or their area representative.

Beyond the University, Crowder is passionate about her faith, her family and photography. During the past several years, she’s taken some classes and participated in various excursions with other amateur photographers to hone her skills. She even incorporates her hobby into her work by chronicling Teaching Fellows Program events.

“I’d be interested in hearing from other faculty and staff members who are amateur photographers,” Crowder stated. “Perhaps we could start our own club.”