National Park College (NPC) named Aundrea Crary as the 2025 Outstanding Alumnus during the annual Employee Recognition Day celebration last month.
Crary’s journey from a first-generation college student to a respected leader in the tourism industry exemplifies the transformative power of education and perseverance. Today, she serves as a sales manager at the Hot Springs Convention Center, where she brings more than two decades of experience in tourism, client relations and event development. In this role, she proudly promotes Hot Springs as a premier destination and embraces the opportunity to serve as an ambassador for the city she calls home.
Raised by parents who, despite limited formal education, always encouraged her and her brother to create a life better than their own, Crary said they strongly believed education was the best way to achieve that. Her story is one of resilience and purpose. Her college journey began with a cheerleading scholarship to NPC, but life took an unexpected turn when she became a young single mother. Undeterred, she returned to NPC, where she found more than an education—she found a foundation for personal growth and a renewed outlook on her future.
“NPC helped me build a foundation and gave me the opportunity to become my own success story,” Crary said. “It changed how I viewed what I once thought were failures. I now understand they were just hard lessons.”
During her time at NPC, Crary earned two associate degrees before completing her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management at John Brown University as a nontraditional student—an important milestone that reflects her commitment to lifelong learning.
Beyond her professional achievements, Crary is deeply involved in community initiatives. She is an original and continuing board member of the internationally known World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Over the years, she has worn many hats in support of the event and now serves as the personal escort for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders when they visit Hot Springs for the parade.
Additionally, she is a founding board member of the Hot Springs Women’s Leadership Alliance, an organization committed to uniting diverse women leaders through mentorship, education and collaboration. Her leadership extends to numerous volunteer organizations that promote women’s leadership, support the well-being of women and children in need, and foster civic engagement throughout the city.
Reflecting on being named NPC’s 2025 Outstanding Alumnus, Crary shared, “Being nominated is humbling because I was simply doing what I believed would make life better for my child and me. Receiving this award honors the journey I’ve taken and motivates me to keep giving back to the community that has given me so much.”
Crary’s story is one of resilience, growth and purpose. Her journey is a testament to the impact of education and the strength it takes to turn challenges into opportunities. She embodies the mission of National Park College and is a truly deserving recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Alumnus Award.