HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Wallace State Community College Psychology Instructor Casey Harbin said he did not intend to become a teacher. After earning degrees in history and psychology from Auburn University, he planned to take the LSAT to become an attorney. Instead, he found his way into education via coaching.
He started as a substitute teacher while coaching the Cullman High School varsity boys’ soccer team, leading them to the final four in 2010 and 2012 before claiming a state championship in 2016. He later earned a master’s in education from the University of West Alabama and became a full-time instructor at the high school. He taught at the high school for a total of 11 years, “loving every minute of it,” before he began teaching at Wallace State.
Harbin is no stranger to Wallace State. His mother, Suzanne Harbin, is the vice president for advancement at the college and strongly encouraged her son to attend, taking advantage of free tuition offered to Wallace State employees. He came to WSCC as a dual enrollment student and continued taking traditional classes before transferring to Auburn.
“Wallace’s dual enrollment classes provided such challenge. I also think I greatly benefited from the traditional courses at Wallace State during high school,” Harbin said.
It was while taking classes at Wallace State that Harbin found his direction.
“I can actually credit my entire career to Wallace State and one instructor in particular: Dr. Rebecca Reeves,” said Harbin. “It wasn’t until I took PSY 200 at Wallace with Dr. Reeves that psychology captured my attention.”
Harbin worked with Reeves, who was chair of the Social and Behavioral Science Department, until her retirement.
“I sometimes reflect on where I would be in life without her class and Wallace State,” Harbin said. “I definitely never expected that years later she would be my department head and leading me to the classroom where I would be teaching my very own PSY 200 course at Wallace State.”
Harbin’s students at Wallace State appreciate his teaching style, describing him as nice, informative and understanding.
“Casey Harbin is an excellent teacher,” one student said. “His class was one of my favorites.”
“My life has come full circle,” Harbin said. “I am forever thankful for the opportunity to be teaching the very same course at the very same place to which I owe my entire career and success in life.”
This is one in a series of stories celebrating Wallace State Community College alumni during Community College Month in April. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories of Wallace State Community College alumni throughout Community College Month.
