MeLisa Crisler, Adult Education Coordinator for Neighbor’s Educational Opportunities, loves the endless amount of opportunities found in Indiana. In return, she’s working hard to make sure those opportunities are extended to everyone.
Born and raised in Harvey, Illinois, a south suburb of Chicago, Crisler was a cheerleader and a member of the pep club throughout high school. But just like the hardworking individual she is now, Crisler always loved to work and always genuinely loved her job.
“I did some after school activities, but I really enjoyed working,” Crisler said. “I worked in the superintendent’s office and I had a job at a cute, little department store in Homewood.”
After graduating from high school, Crisler went to Robert Morris College for business, but finished her Bachelor’s degree at University of Phoenix.
“I was a career student for a time,” Crisler explained. “I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do with my career. So not only do I have a Bachelor’s in Business from University of Phoenix, I also have my Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Development from Prairie State University in Chicago Heights.”
After spending most of her life in Illinois, Crisler decided to make the move to Northwest Indiana and purchased a house in Hammond close to 15 years ago.
“My daughter, who is 19-years old now, was going into the first grade,” Crisler said. “So I wanted to purchase a home here and wanted better schools for my daughter.”
Crisler’s career took her in a few different directions. For two years, she owned a barbershop in Merrillville called Fresh Bladez. But one thing she has always done is recruiting and directorship.
“I worked for Edison Schools as the Director in Chicago and had about four schools in that area I was tasked to look over,” Crisler said. “But I also worked part time at the Area Career Center in Hammond,” she explained. “I worked under Dr. Watson. Everyone knows Dr. Watson!”
After that, Crisler began to work for the Department of Workforce Development for the State of Indiana where her job title was Specialist for Career Counseling. She was tasked with traveling to different GED schools and discuss the programs, trade schools, and funding available to the students. By chance, in one of these meetings was the Executive Director of NEO, Rebecca Reiner.
“We established a relationship since her school was one of the schools I was in charge of for getting those opportunities and funding to those students,” Crisler said.
The opportunity for a position with NEO came up after the coordinator for the Adult Education program announced she was stepping down. She then recommended Crisler for the job, who then accepted and now almost three years later, the Chicago native is loving it more and more everyday.
“NEO is a very unique place,” Crisler said. “There are so many opportunities for people of all ages here.”
Three years later, Crisler works hard every day to make sure teenagers and adults in NEO’s Adult Education Program are receiving the education that is so fundamental. NEO’s adult programs support students looking to receive the High School Equivalency Diploma and also prepare them for future education and employment. Crisler coordinates the Adult ESL, or English Second Language, and the Adult Basic Education Programs.
“I oversee the program to make sure everything is running smoothly,” Crisler explained. “I make sure my staff and volunteers are prepared and help students coming to us to get their GED or to brush up on skills are getting the best resources available.”
Just like she wanted to give her young daughter a good education here in Northwest Indiana, Crisler is dedicated to providing quality education to the people in her own community.
“Education is the key,” Crisler said. “You have to have an education, whether it’s a GED or a high school diploma, or even if you’re just coming back to brush up on some stuff for future schooling or jobs. So education is very important.”
When Crisler is not overseeing the Adult Education program, she loves to decorate and she loves to do her research on career development.
“I love to do research on different events and things that have to do with my career,” she explained. “For example, things that are really in demand that Northwest Indiana may not have, like aviation or new science and technology.”
Crisler also loves to travel and meet new people, which is her favorite part of her job.
“We have a diverse group of people who come to NEO, so I really love meeting new people from different backgrounds,” she said. “I also love to travel. I recently traveled to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, which I loved.”
MeLisa Crisler saw the numerous opportunities here in Northwest Indiana when she moved here almost 15 years ago. And now for almost three years, Crisler has dedicated her expertise to coaching and guiding returning students to success in their future endeavors. She may love to travel, but the love Crisler has for the community of Northwest Indiana is like no other.
For more information about the Neighbors’ Education Opportunities’ upcoming events like the Taste of NEO and the NEO Job and Career Fair, go to www.neoadulted.org.