Three siblings started elsewhere but found their fit at Belmont
More than family ties connect the Crouch siblings.
Jennifer Powers (’14), Ellen Crouch (’17) and Will Crouch (’24, MAcc ’25) each began their college journey elsewhere, but found their way back to Nashville, and to Belmont.
On campus, they were welcomed into the Bruin family, taking full advantage of the academic, professional and personal opportunities that continue to shape their lives today.
Jennifer Powers: The First Step Home
Jennifer, the eldest Crouch sibling, started at Birmingham Southern College, intent on pursuing music education. But she soon realized the program’s structure and her own musical strengths weren’t aligning. At the same time, she missed her hometown of Nashville. Belmont offered the best of both worlds: the chance to be immersed in the music industry while earning a music business degree.
“I wanted to be part of Nashville’s music community without having to be a teacher or performer. Belmont’s music business program was the perfect fit. It let me explore the creative side of music while also gaining business skills that prepared me for real jobs in the industry.”
- Jennifer Crouch
Her transfer led to internships and ultimately a role with Peermusic, where she worked in publishing before shifting her career toward digital design and marketing — skills first sparked in her Belmont business courses.
Ellen Crouch: A Broader Worldview Leads Back to Nashville
Ellen spent her freshman year at Saint Louis University, drawn to its international business program. While she found success academically, she struggled to find the right social fit.
“I was determined to leave Nashville, to prove I could be independent. But I realized that Belmont had everything I wanted: a strong program, study abroad opportunities and the community I had been missing.”
-Ellen Crouch
Transferring into Belmont’s international business track, Ellen later transitioned to business management with a human resources concentration. The University’s liberal arts education proved to be the perfect space for the middle Crouch sibling to thrive. She studied abroad in Rome, became involved in student organizations and learned valuable lessons from professors who shaped her thinking about leadership and organizational culture.
Today, her career spans management, accounting and yoga instruction, a combination she credits to Belmont’s broad, liberal arts approach.
Will Crouch: Finding His Place in Accounting
The youngest sibling, Will, began at Purdue University studying engineering. “I quickly realized engineering wasn’t for me,” he recalled. After a semester at Columbia State Community College, he transferred to Belmont and discovered accounting.
“The program just clicked. Belmont had an excellent reputation, and my sisters both encouraged me to consider it. Once I got into the accounting program, I knew I was in the right place.”
-Will Crouch
Similar to his older siblings, Will thrived at Belmont, joining clubs, making lifelong friends and eventually earning both his undergraduate and master’s degrees in accounting from the Massey College of Business. Professors like Dr. Marilyn Young sparked his interest in tax, and Belmont’s strong professional network ultimately helped him secure his current role as a tax associate at Frazier & Deeter.
“I've gotten exposed to a lot of different types of businesses and individuals being at a smaller size firm and Belmont facilitated that the whole way through,” he said. “I’ve heard from people at Big4 accounting firms that they see the same sort of thing every day.”
A Family Tied Together by Belmont
Though their paths were different, each sibling echoed a similar sentiment: transferring to Belmont felt seamless. Faculty advisors, welcoming peers and Nashville’s vibrant opportunities made the transition smooth.
Jennifer added that Belmont’s tight-knit alumni network continues to enrich their lives, long after graduation. William agreed, noting that Belmont’s legacy “doesn’t end at graduation — it’s everywhere you go in Nashville and beyond.”
“It’s funny,” Ellen reflected, “we all tried to go our own way at first, but Belmont ended up being the common ground that tied us together.”
Start your journey at Belmont.