Crystal was born and raised on a horse farm in Central Pennsylvania where she showed horses to national championships as a youth. She earned her B.S. and M.Agr. in Animal Science at the Pennsylvania State University. Before joining the faculty at WVU, Crystal was an Animal Science Extension Agent in a five-county area of Northwest Virginia where she provided nationally recognized equine educational programs and farm consultations for horse owners. She also coached competitive horse judging teams and provided support to the VA State 4-H Horse Program. At WVU, Crystal has teaching responsibilities in the Equine Management Minor and manages the horses at the WVU Reedsville Horse Farm.