Erica Noll Crawford honored as emerging leader by young professionals organization
Miami Online interim director of engagement recently received Next Up Columbus Award
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Published
Miami University's Erica Noll Crawford, seated third from right, was honored recently with a Next Up Columbus Award. Noll Crawford is interim director of Miami Online. The award recognizes emerging leaders in the city and region.
Erica Noll Crawford honored as emerging leader by young professionals organization
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Published
As a certified instructor for Mental Health First Aid, Erica Noll Crawford has empowered hundreds of people to become familiar with and learn how best to address signs and symptoms when it comes to mental health.
Currently interim director of Miami Online, Miami University’s award-winning online education resource, Noll Crawford’s path to certification began in 2022 when she received a Hawk Tank grant. The grant, awarded annually and funded by the MIAMI Women Giving Circle, allowed her to become an instructor and help bring Mental Health First Aid to Miami’s regional campuses.
Those efforts have not gone unnoticed – at Miami or within her community in Columbus. Noll Crawford recently earned recognition from the Columbus Young Professionals Club as one of 25 individuals spotlighted during its yearly Next Up Columbus Awards.
Next Up Columbus recognizes emerging leaders in the city and region. It was first launched in 2013.
“This award reflects a lot on my time at Miami,” said Noll Crawford, who has been with the university since starting as an engagement specialist in 2021. “As a young professional, I’ve had a lot of Imposter Syndrome. This reaffirms I am on the right track.”
Through Mental Health First Aid, Noll Crawford has trained more than 150 people, including educators and students, to effectively and thoughtfully respond when needed. She also regularly donates to shelters and blessing boxes in her community.
The 2025 Next Up Columbus award winners were honored during an event at Edison Brewing Company’s Outdoor Biergarten in Gahanna on June 26.
The day started out with storms and rain, though by the time the ceremony started – complete with live music and food vendors – the sun began to shine.
Noll Crawford said some Miami co-workers made the trip to support her. “That meant a lot. Even though I am mostly a remote employee, I have these solid connections.”
One of the most rewarding things about working with Miami Online is creating access for underserved and underrepresented students, Noll Crawford said, noting she graduated from a small high school, East Knox in Howard, Ohio.
Microcredentials, online degrees, and certificates are part of Miami Online’s offerings and allow the university to cast a wider net and reach more communities.
“We often hear from students about the difference Miami Online makes. I find that very rewarding,” Noll Crawford said. “I feel really passionate about everything Miami Online has been doing. It is great we can offer a Miami education in so many different formats for so many different individuals.
“There are a lot of really wonderful opportunities on the horizon, and it’s exciting to see us move toward those.”
Currently interim director of Miami Online, Miami University’s award-winning online education resource, Noll Crawford’s path to certification began in 2022 when she received a Hawk Tank grant. The grant, awarded annually and funded by the MIAMI Women Giving Circle, allowed her to become an instructor and help bring Mental Health First Aid to Miami’s regional campuses.
Those efforts have not gone unnoticed – at Miami or within her community in Columbus. Noll Crawford recently earned recognition from the Columbus Young Professionals Club as one of 25 individuals spotlighted during its yearly Next Up Columbus Awards.
Next Up Columbus recognizes emerging leaders in the city and region. It was first launched in 2013.
“This award reflects a lot on my time at Miami,” said Noll Crawford, who has been with the university since starting as an engagement specialist in 2021. “As a young professional, I’ve had a lot of Imposter Syndrome. This reaffirms I am on the right track.”
Through Mental Health First Aid, Noll Crawford has trained more than 150 people, including educators and students, to effectively and thoughtfully respond when needed. She also regularly donates to shelters and blessing boxes in her community.
The 2025 Next Up Columbus award winners were honored during an event at Edison Brewing Company’s Outdoor Biergarten in Gahanna on June 26.
The day started out with storms and rain, though by the time the ceremony started – complete with live music and food vendors – the sun began to shine.
Noll Crawford said some Miami co-workers made the trip to support her. “That meant a lot. Even though I am mostly a remote employee, I have these solid connections.”
One of the most rewarding things about working with Miami Online is creating access for underserved and underrepresented students, Noll Crawford said, noting she graduated from a small high school, East Knox in Howard, Ohio.
Microcredentials, online degrees, and certificates are part of Miami Online’s offerings and allow the university to cast a wider net and reach more communities.
“We often hear from students about the difference Miami Online makes. I find that very rewarding,” Noll Crawford said. “I feel really passionate about everything Miami Online has been doing. It is great we can offer a Miami education in so many different formats for so many different individuals.
“There are a lot of really wonderful opportunities on the horizon, and it’s exciting to see us move toward those.”
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about Miami Online? Visit the website for more information.
