Goodyear court director receives Arizona Supreme Court award

Crystal Whelan, director of Goodyear Municipal Court, has received the Arizona Supreme Court’s Excellence in Education Award for Leadership Education.

Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer presented the award at the 2026 Arizona Court Leadership Conference.

Whelan was recognized for teaching a human resources management course through the Arizona Court Leadership Institute. The award honors contributions to leadership education in Arizona’s courts. Recipients are nominated by course participants and approved by the Supreme Court’s Committee on Judicial Education and Training.

“The way she taught made it memorable,” one nomination stated.

Whelan began her career at Goodyear Municipal Court as a high school intern more than 20 years ago and has served as court director since 2016. She completed all Arizona Court Leadership Institute courses and earned a Certified Public Manager credential.