Crystal Nichols: Cultivating Knowledge, Sowing Success at UMO
March 31, 2025
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
Pinetops, NC – At 47, Crystal Nichols’ journey to higher education has been anything but conventional. Born and raised in Rocky Mount, NC, she enrolled at the University of Mount Olive (UMO) in 2021 after years dedicated to raising her children and building a career. Her decision to return to school was driven by her work as the Chief Operating Officer of the North Carolina Center for Poultry Education (NCCPE). She realized the necessity of furthering her education to uphold the reputation of the growing organization.
“I needed to gain confidence in myself,” Nichols shared. “The Agricultural Communications and Leadership bachelor’s program at UMO has been the perfect fit to help me develop professionally and personally.”
Nichols is a mother to three daughters, Hanna Johnson, Lauren Peguero, and Sara Johnson. She is also a devoted grandmother to three granddaughters. “My children and grandchildren have been my biggest inspiration,” Nichols said. “They are the light of my world. I have this sense that I need to be better and to show all of these girls in my life that they, too, can do hard things and become anything they want to be in life. It’s challenging but so worth it.”
In addition to her leadership at NCCPE, Nichols serves as the Secretary for the Board of Directors of PATHS University of Africa, demonstrating her commitment to agricultural education on a global scale.
Nichols was raised in a household that valued hard work, determination, and accountability. Throughout high school, she worked as a cashier at the local Food Lion. An Honor Roll student, she excelled inside and outside of the classroom, where she was an active member of the marching band and various clubs.
After high school, she considered joining the Air Force. However, her life took a different direction when she married at 19 and started a family. After raising her children, Nichols immersed herself in agriculture when she began working on a poultry farm. This experience transformed her career path and deepened her passion for the industry.
“Agriculture is life,” Nichols said. “The work I’ve done over the past 14 years has given me a deeper understanding of the industry’s challenges and opportunities.”
UMO’s “Transforming lives, transforming education” tagline resonates deeply with Nichols. She credits her time at UMO for shaping her into a more confident professional, a better mother, and a stronger advocate for agriculture.
“The faculty has been incredibly supportive,” Nichols said, acknowledging her advisor, Leigh Shaffer, and Library Director, Wes Warren, for their unwavering assistance. “Their guidance has made a world of difference in my academic journey.”
The online format of her degree has provided the flexibility Nichols needed to balance her responsibilities. “As an older student I could not imagine sitting in a classroom full of people that are young enough to be my children,” she said. “Being able to pace myself, work ahead if need be, or ask for a few extra days because life happens has been invaluable.”
One of her most impactful projects was a social media marketing assignment in Professor Karl Reimers’ MIS 347 course. Nichols and her team developed a comprehensive strategy for NCCPE’s digital presence, which she later implemented in real life. “That project pushed me outside of my comfort zone and had a tangible impact on our organization,” she said.
Looking ahead, Nichols plans to pursue a master’s degree in Agricultural Leadership. She remains committed to her role at NCCPE and is eager to expand its educational reach through outreach programs and public speaking engagements.
Nichols is particularly passionate about addressing misconceptions surrounding livestock production. “There’s a lot of misinformation out there,” she said. “I want to show people how much farmers truly care about their animals and the industry’s vital role in our society.”
She also recognizes the challenges facing North Carolina’s agricultural sector, from shrinking farmland to a declining workforce. Through NCCPE, she hopes to inspire the next generation to see agriculture as a viable and rewarding career path.
“Every day, everyone needs a farmer,” Nichols emphasized. “Agriculture feeds us, clothes us, and provides resources for countless industries. Without it, the world would struggle to survive.”
As she prepares to don her cap and gown this May, Nichols looks back with pride on her journey and forward with determination toward the future. “This academic journey has given me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone and take on challenges I never imagined,” she said. “I needed this journey more than I realized. And now, I’m ready to take everything I’ve learned and make a difference.”
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
