(This is one of our profiles on this year’s recipients selected by an anonymous committee out of an extensive list of nominees for the 2024 Lincoln Leader Award. The Lincoln Parish Journal thanks Mayor Ronny Walker and the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for their support of this award. We would like to thank Kevin Hawkins at HawkinsPhoto.com for the headshots).
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Name: Krystal Sno Cruse
Age: 38
Employer: Louisiana Tech University
Title: Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Thibodaux
Years Living in Ruston: 20 years
Civic Volunteer Organizations:
Faculty Advisor for the Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Director of the Office for Women in Science and Engineering (OWISE)
First-Year Projects Showcase (Engineering) where I engage the local community with Tech’s campus while highlighting our first-year engineering student projects
Member of the American Society for Engineering Education
Active member and contributor to the Ruston Tennis Community
Member of the Louisiana Tech Leadership Institute (LTRI) class of 2022-23
Attendee of First Baptist Ruston
Professional Highlights:
Receiving a National Science Foundation grant for $1.5mil that helps support low-income, academically talented engineering students pursue college
Helping the College of Engineering and Science become a Kern Engineering Entrepreneurial Network which helps provide resources to the college for developing the best engineering and brings funds to the college that faculty can access for engineering education initiatives
Guiding and managing the innovative First-Year Engineering Program as the Coordinator
Hosting the First-Year Projects Showcase where over 80 first-year engineering student teams showcase their design projects to over 80 invited judges from the community
Providing female faculty across campus with monthly luncheons to build community and professional development
Providing female students with monthly engagement, enrichment, and professional development opportunities through activities and invited guest speakers from the community
Starting the INSPIRE program that helps foster community with female faculty and students while also building confidence in using fabrication equipment
Being the Ph.D. Advisor to five graduate students and leading them as they develop professionally and academically
Receiving the University’s F.J. Taylor Undergraduate Teaching Award in Fall of 2023
Heath Tims, CEO of Louisiana Tech Alumni Association and Associate VP of the Division of University Engagement, on Krystal Sno Cruse:
Krystal is a great leader at Louisiana Tech and also the surrounding community. Her deep commitment to educational outreach has been demonstrated from the K12 all the way through the university level. Her dedication has not only shaped the futures of countless K12 students but also revolutionized the learning experience for thousands of engineering students at Louisiana Tech. Her leadership in the College of Engineering and Science’s Living With the Lab program brings hands-on experiential learning to students. Krystal’s influence as a mentor, advisor, and curriculum developer is already evident and will undoubtedly continue to impact generations to come.
Q&A with Krystal Sno Cruse:
What makes Lincoln Parish special?
While Lincoln Parish merges rural and small-town charm with vibrant, modern opportunities that extend beyond its scenery, landmarks, and its role as the home of two major universities, it’s the people who live here and are connected to the parish that truly make it special. As someone who came to Ruston as an outsider, I was welcomed with open arms, and over time, this community has become my true home. From professors who invested in my academic growth to friends who have become like family to meeting my husband and starting our family together, the people of Lincoln Parish have embraced me.
This parish is more than just a place on the map; it’s a community where connections run deep, where people support each other, and where newcomers are made to feel like lifelong residents. The warmth, kindness, and genuine care of the people here have shaped my journey and made Lincoln Parish a place I’m proud to call home. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a transplant like me, the sense of belonging and the strong community bonds are what make Lincoln Parish truly special.
How do you see your role/place in making our parish such a wonderful place to call home?
As an engineering professor at Louisiana Tech University, I see my role as twofold in making Lincoln Parish a wonderful place to call home. Every fall, our community welcomes nearly 12,000 students from across the state and nation. These students, though they may be seen as temporary residents, bring an incredible energy that helps define our parish.
However, they also face challenges like homesickness and the need to find their place in a new environment. Having experienced this myself as a student who came from somewhere five hours away, I understand the importance of feeling welcomed and connected. I’m committed to being there for my students, not only as their professor but also as a mentor who helps them feel a sense of belonging in our community. I strive to make them feel at home here in Ruston and Lincoln Parish, showing them that they are a vital and necessary part of our community.
At the same time, I’m dedicated to building and growing my own family in this parish. My goal is to contribute to a welcoming, supportive environment where both my students and my family can thrive. By fostering strong connections between the University and the broader community, I hope to play a part in making Lincoln Parish a place where everyone—whether they’re here for a short time or a lifetime—feels like they belong.
Who has played a role in your professional development and why?
Several influential people have played pivotal roles in my professional development, but two stand out: Dr. Heath Tims and Dr. David Hall.
After I graduated with my undergraduate degree, Dr. Heath Tims encouraged me to pursue my PhD under his guidance. From the start, he treated me as an equal, not just a student. He included me in many initiatives, particularly in the field of engineering education, which helped ignite my passion for student outreach and engagement. Through our work together, I developed a strong foundation that has allowed me to grow into a contributing faculty member of the College of Engineering and Science. Today, I oversee the First-Year Engineering Program, a cornerstone of our college that regularly draws students to Louisiana Tech.
Dr. David Hall has been a mentor to me for the past eight years and has supported and guided me in my role with the first-year engineering program. Following his example, I have grown as a leader and manager, achieving things I never thought possible. Recently, Dr. Hall encouraged me to pursue a competitive National Science Foundation grant to support low-income, academically talented students in pursuing their engineering degrees based on a pilot program I developed. Being awarded this grant has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional life, opening many opportunities and underscoring my commitment to student success.
Both Dr. Tims and Dr. Hall have been instrumental in mentoring me in my career, and their support has had a lasting impact on my professional journey.
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