​​Crosby changed her name to reflect her beliefs, heritage and outlook on the world. Her academic career and interests include gender and sexuality, race, women’s studies and multiculturalism. Acknowledged as a passionate and charismatic teacher, she was awarded a CSU Outstanding Teacher Award in 2016. Crosby employs active learning—which engages all students to be successful—using pop culture and current media to challenge students’ assumptions and push them past easy answers or personal opinions. “I want to help students become more empowered, and to engage in society so they have the language, perspective, understanding, passion and compassion around equity issues,” she says. Crosby’s commitment to social justice is evident in the books has published, including “This Side of My Struggle,” a collection of stories from prisoners about their incarceration. And her latest book, “Prisoners I Once Loved: A Memoir,” is about experiences she has had with prisoners, including volunteer work, friendships, pen pals and a marriage.