GREENVILLE — Alicia Crandall serves as education coordinator for Missoula Aging Services in Missoula, Montana, and agency which promotes the independence, dignity and health of older adults and those who care for them.
The 44-year-old has worked there since March 2008.
“Previously I served as volunteer coordinator, now I am the education coordinator,” she said. “In this role, I utilize my skills in leadership, communication and outreach to focus on reaching people through educational events. I also serve on the AARP MT Executive Council.”
She is enjoying what she is doing.
“In my professional life, I have the great honor of collaborating with community members to collectively improve the health and wellness of older adults and their caregivers,” Crandall said. “I enjoy connecting people to larger circles of community. It increases the happiness factor, reduces isolation and loneliness and allows people opportunities to learn and grow by trying something new.”
She said she never expected to be doing what she does today.
“I really had no idea what I would do in my professional life in the younger years,” said the 1990 graduate of Greenville High School. “It just sort of happened. One thing I do know to be true is that I am very vested in improving my own quality of life as well as the life of others. Doing ‘service’ has always been a part of my life and comes natural. It started when I volunteered with Girls Scouts and 4-H as a child in Greenville. As well as my time as a ‘Geriette Volunteer’ (that name still makes me chuckle) at the Brethren’s Home where my mom worked. Service in my professional and community life brings me happiness and fulfillment.”
A 2000 graduate of the Ohio State University with a bachelor of arts [major in English literature and minor in Women’s Studies], she is located in Missoula with her partner of 14 years, Scott Hohnstein, who is a professor in the Education Program at University of Montana.
“We have a spoiled mountain dog named Rizzo,” said Crandall, daughter of Dale and Terri Crandall of Greenville, sister to Mary Snyder and Tom Crandall and the aunt to three nieces and two nephews.
Crandall said she is vested in her own qualify of life as well as the lives of others. She is a snowboarder and cross county skier in the winter; is a a hiker in the warmer seasons; and is a curious student of West African and South African art and culture.
“I continue in the pursuit of learning about these traditions every chance I get through travel to study,” she remarked, adding. “I am a dancer and drummer. I participate with a local group called Djebe Bara Community Dance and Drum in Missoula where we host community African Dance Classes based on donation. We also perform so that we can earn money to bring Master African Teachers to our little community. I play the mbira, a melodic finger piano instrument from Zimbabwee; and an avid animal lover; and I enjoy volunteering in unison with my partner for Big Brother Big Sister.
Crandall said she recently graduated from Leadership Missoula in the class of 33 which is a program through Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce.
