FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 18, 2025
Student Spotlight: Casey Southall
From Explosive Expertise to Business Degree: A Non-Traditional Student’s Path to Success
Clifton Forge, VA – Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) is excited to spotlight Casey Southall, a dedicated non-traditional student in the Business program, who will graduate this spring. Casey’s path from bomb disposal expert to business student demonstrates resilience, adaptability, and a passion for lifelong learning.
From Covington, Virginia, Casey's journey into higher education began later than most. After graduating from Allegheny High School in 2001, he spent two years in Venezuela on a missionary trip where he became fluent in Spanish and developed valuable skills in intercultural communication. Following his return, Casey worked as an International Market Specialist at Gala Industries (now MAAG), managing sales in Mexico, Central America, and South America. His work required frequent travel, but over time, Casey sought a career that offered more flexibility.
In 2006, he transitioned into the field of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Disposal, where he has spent nearly two decades ensuring safety in high-risk environments. From South Korea to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Casey’s work has taken him around the globe. He’s held positions such as UXO Team Leader, Quality Control, and Safety Officer, which have provided him with leadership experience and a wealth of technical knowledge.
Despite the success in his field, Casey decided it was time to pursue a college degree in Business.
“For many years, getting a college degree was something I thought about, but I kept putting it off,” Casey said. “At 42, I realized if I had been taking one class at a time all these years, I would already be done. So I decided to take action.”
Enrolling at MGCC, Casey pursued an Associate of Applied Science in Technical Studies. The Technical Studies program is designed for students with a variety of career backgrounds, allowing them to tailor their degree around their experience. Casey chose the Business Fundamentals Career Studies Certificate as the base credential because it offers skills applicable in any industry.
“I wasn’t looking for anything specific like cybersecurity or nursing,” Casey shared. “Business is something you can use anywhere. Every company needs to operate like a business.”
The flexibility of the program allows Casey to continue his work in UXO disposal while pursuing his degree. As a professional with a demanding travel schedule, he found the HyFlex learning format essential.
“I work on two-week rotations and travel extensively, so being able to attend class remotely or watch Zoom recordings has been crucial,” Casey explained. “Without that flexibility, I wouldn’t have been able to work toward my degree.”
Casey’s accelerated path to graduation was made possible by the Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) pathway at MGCC, which allows students to earn credit for eligible experience gained in other jobs or life events. Through CPL, Casey earned nearly 30 credits for his work in UXO disposal, OSHA certifications, and even a mission trip to Venezuela.
“The college helped me integrate what I’ve already learned into my degree,” he said. “It made a huge difference in speeding up my education.”
In addition to his academic success, Casey has found his business classes to be particularly enjoyable.
“The business classes have been my favorite,” he shared. “I can see myself pursuing this further. It’s something that applies to every industry. This program is helping me expand my entrepreneurial knowledge.”
Throughout his journey, Casey has received invaluable support from Ann Courtney, his Student Services Advisor, and Rachael Thompson, the Business Program Head.
“Ann was a huge help with Credit for Prior Learning. Even when there were uncertainties, she advocated for me to get even more credits," he said.
Casey credited college faculty and staff for being understanding about life’s many challenges, saying that if you’re willing to make it work, they will be too.
“It’s important to communicate,” Casey advised. “If you’re an adult coming back to school, don’t hesitate to reach out to your instructors. They’re usually very understanding, especially when life gets in the way.”
Casey’s journey proves that it’s never too late to pursue education and make career advancements.
“I’ve learned that even if you’re unsure of what you want to do, just pick something. You’ll find out what works for you and what doesn’t,” Casey said.
His business degree has opened up opportunities for both career advancement and personal growth, and he’s excited to see where this education takes him next.
Looking ahead, Casey’s business education has positioned him well for a future in managerial or consulting roles, with the flexibility to branch into entrepreneurship.
Mountain Gateway Community College congratulates Casey Southall on his upcoming graduation and is honored to have supported his academic journey.
For more information about MGCC’s Business program and Credit for Prior Learning opportunities, please contact Student Services at 540-863-2820. Browse course programs and apply at www.mgcc.edu.