Employee Spotlight: Casey Errante

Wilmington native Casey Errante developed a love for teaching from an early age. Her first classroom was the Atlantic Ocean, where she taught surfing lessons during the summer at Wrightsville Beach. Her teaching journey also includes instructing middle schoolers on health courses during a stint in Uruguay and coaching soccer.

Casey initially pursued business management and Spanish studies in college but found her curiosity piqued upon taking a few sociology courses. This introduction to sociology captivated Casey, leading her to realize these courses are highly relevant across various fields, including business and health sciences.

Sociology can even be applied to the animals on her farm. Casey points out that sociology encompasses disciplines such as rural sociology, environmental sociology, and the sociology of food systems.

Casey offers a general definition of sociology as the study of society. “Sociologists study everything from society, cultures, institutions, group dynamics, socialization, and social inequality. We often also link how our behavior is impacted by the society that we live in.”

A co-worker commented on Casey’s dedication to the subject.

“Casey doesn’t just teach sociology; she lives and breathes it. She doesn’t stop at the classroom door—she’s there for her students outside of regular hours, making sure they get the material and really understand the ins and outs of sociology. It’s like she’s on a mission to make learning not just a task but an experience. Her professionalism is top-notch, and the positive vibes she brings to the workplace make a real difference.”

Taking a short break from her busy schedule, Casey shared some insights about herself and her experience at CFCC.

WHAT YEAR DID YOU START WORKING AT CFCC AND WHAT BROUGHT YOU HERE?

I started teaching at CFCC part-time in 2015. I had just finished graduate school at UNCW and was hoping to stay in the area. A full-time teaching position in my field opened in 2016, and the rest is history!

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

I enjoy how dynamic teaching is, and I attribute this directly to my students. My students bring in fresh perspectives, interesting questions, and wonderful dialogue that makes no day, class period, or semester ever the same!

I also really enjoy seeing the variety of different career pathways our CFCC students take. It is a joy hearing from our students even after the semester ends.

WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING, WHAT DO YOU DO?

When I’m not working, I love doing anything outdoors. I enjoy taking my daughter to the beach, going for runs, and taking small trips to the mountains with my family.

WHO HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR EDUCATION AND/OR CAREER PATH?

I have had many incredible professors throughout my education, but I would say my parents have been the most influential on my career path. I come from a family of educators. My grandparents and parents were all teachers. I grew up having such respect for the field and developing a love for being a lifelong learner.

WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

This isn’t really advice, but one of my professors in graduate school told us at the start of the semester he wasn’t here to teach us what to think but how to think sociologically. This statement really stuck with me. I see the classroom as an opportunity to present multiple and diverse perspectives about society. I encourage my students to consider the evidence for and against each perspective and to reflect on their own conclusions.

WHAT IS SOMETHING NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I live on a homestead where we raise and grow a lot of our food. We have dairy goats for milk, cheese, and goat’s milk soap. We raise chickens, turkeys, sheep, and pigs for meat. We have a large garden and an orchard.

DEGREES & CERTIFICATES

• B.A. Management and Society, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• M.A. Public Sociology, University of North Carolina Wilmington

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

American Sociological Association