Have You Met Crystal Pennell? – University of Alberta

April 09, 2026

Meet Crystal Pennell, Indigenous wellness coordinator on the Wellness Supports team.

What is your first U of A memory?

At four years old, I was tagging along with my mom to U of A computer labs, libraries and office hours – she was the first in our family to get a university degree. Growing up on campus showed me both the possibilities for Indigenous students, and the barriers they face. Those early experiences really shaped my passion for supporting Indigenous learners.

What’s something your coworkers don’t know about you?

My coworkers have a lot of random knowledge about me, but something others might not know is that I love to paint acrylic portraits. I’ve painted memorial portraits of family members who have passed on, portraits of Indigenous community members, celebrities and drag artists. It’s a meditative practice for me, and feels like spending quality time with that person.

Read More: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/the-quad/2026/04/have-you-met-crystal-pennell.html