Casey Alexander knew early on in her experience as an assistant in the elementary school across the way from her high school that she would pursue studies and a career in elementary education.

A 2017 graduate of Western Albemarle High School, Casey Alexander has long had an interest in education. Through her experience working with elementary level students at Brownsville Elementary School during her years at Western Albemarle, she came to realize that elementary education was her passion. She is now a student at Longwood University, majoring in Liberal Studies, with a focus on Elementary Education. And she is ever more committed to her career goals. She hopes that along with leading normal classroom instruction she will be able to specialize in literacy skills and help students enhance their vocabulary.

A college education is extremely important for Casey’s life goals and career plans. As for why she has chosen to major primarily in Liberal Studies, she says that such a course of study helps “broaden my perspective on how I see things, not only as a learner, but as a young adult as well.”

As do all of the participants in the Minor Preston Scholars Program, Casey appreciates how important the program’s financial award is for achieving a college education. However, equally important is having a Scholars Program Advisor who helps her complete program requirements, which include goal-setting and self-evaluation each semester. Casey says that her advisor encourages her “to ask for help when I need it in order to keep me motivated and focused on what I want to do and what I need to do in order to reach my goals.”

Beyond helping her through the program, Casey’s Advisor is the person with educational and life experience to advise her in her career and life goals. She feels assured that “whenever I need help with something, there is always someone there who is willing to answer my questions and provide me with support during my low times.”