Faculty Spotlight: Heather Crisco

Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Instructor Heather Crisco.

When it comes to helping students see the bigger picture, Heather Crisco is an expert. As BCC’s Sociology and Anthropology Instructor and Global Education Coordinator, she opens doors to cultures, ideas, and experiences that stretch far beyond Brunswick County.

Heather knows firsthand the transformative power of educational travel. Born and raised in Brunswick County, she graduated from South Brunswick High School before heading to East Carolina University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Religious Studies. It was there she discovered study abroad—and it changed her life. Heather spent her final semester in Egypt, later returning for graduate studies and even traveling to Jordan where she supported a “train the trainers” program on world cultures.

“Those experiences gave me confidence, and the realization that my world was much larger than I ever imagined,” said Heather. “I wanted to share that same passion for exploring the world with students back home.”

Upon returning home, Heather worked for Brunswick County for a decade in social work, while earning a second master’s degree in Sociology from Arizona State University. But her heart never strayed far from the classroom. Six years ago, she found her perfect fit at BCC—and hasn’t looked back.

Since then, Heather has helped build a thriving global education program on campus. She led two BCC Study Abroad trips, the first to Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, and the second to London and Paris. She championed the college’s participation in UNC Chapel Hill’s Scholars of Global Distinction program, which enables students to earn a certificate by completing coursework and experiences that incorporate global perspectives. In May 2025, 14 BCC students became the first to graduate with this distinction.

“I’ve seen global learning change the trajectory of a student’s plans,” said Heather. “After our first Study Abroad trip, one student came back and told me she loved Germany so much she’s now pursuing International Business studies in Munich. Two others went on to study German at UNCW, and yet another applied and was accepted to a university in Ireland.”

But Heather’s impact isn’t limited to passports and plane tickets. In her classes, students might encounter a pirate in Sociology or head out to an archaeological dig site in Anthropology. Creative, memorable, and always student-centered, Heather finds ways to bring the world’s many cultures to life – both in and out of the classroom.

Her students may come to BCC from right here in Brunswick County, but thanks to Heather, they leave with a view of the world that spans the globe.

October 2025