For Xena Casey, Craven Community College was the first step toward a career dedicated to helping children learn and grow. Her studies gave her the skills, confidence, and experiences that opened doors in the early childhood field and inspired her to continue her education beyond graduation.
“My time at Craven helped me get my first job in the early childhood field after I graduated,” said Casey. “The student teaching internship that I completed helped me realize that I wanted to do more in my field and reach more kids, so after I graduated from Craven I was motivated to go on and get my bachelor's degree.”
Casey earned her associate of applied science degree in Early Childhood Education in 2023. She went on to graduate from the University of Mount Olive in August 2025 with her bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and is now pursuing a master’s degree in Leadership, Policy, and Advocacy in Early Childhood at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
She is currently making a difference in the lives of children every day as the Lead Teacher at Teachable Moments CDC in Jacksonville.
