“At Central, you can’t help but get involved and form close bonds with the people around you. It’s so impactful, and it absolutely sets Central apart.”
— Quinn Deahl ’23
Hometown: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Majors: English and Philosophy
Minors: Political Science (Pre-Law)
Scholarships: Heritage and Presidential
Campus Activities: Student Body President, Alliance of Underrepresented People President, Students Against Sexual Assault, Writing Tutor, Peer Instructor, Mock Trial and SOS Leader
Career Goal: Law
Continuing Education: University of Iowa College of Law
For Quinn Deahl ’23, settling for anything less than exceptional for her college years was never an option. With the drive of a dedicated athlete and a pre-law academic focus, high expectations came naturally. However, sometimes the perfect path reveals itself in unexpected ways, making the search for alternatives unnecessary because nothing else compares to the feeling you get when you find the right fit.
Like many high school students, Deahl embarked on college visits, exploring different campuses and environments. Interestingly, her very first visit turned out to be the only one she truly needed to make a decision. It was a visit to Central College.
“Central was my first college visit,” Deahl recalls. “I remember arriving in Pella and immediately being struck by the beauty of the town. Then, stepping onto the campus, I had this overwhelming feeling of being home. It just felt like exactly where I was meant to be. After that, every other college visit became a comparison to Central, and honestly, nothing else compared to that initial feeling and the more I learned about Central.”
Initially, Deahl envisioned her athletic dreams unfolding as a basketball and soccer player for the Dutch, aiming for All-American status. However, a series of injuries during games led to a tough decision: retiring from collegiate athletics.
Faced with shifting dreams and a desire to redefine her campus identity, Deahl enthusiastically immersed herself in a wide array of activities at Central. Demonstrating her proactive nature, she even established two impactful student organizations: the Alliance of Underrepresented People and Students Against Sexual Assault. The inspiration for AUP stemmed from her experience in an African American literature class with Valerie Billing, assistant professor of English.
“I felt compelled to create a group that could address concerns voiced by my classmates and actively work towards broader societal change,” Deahl explains. “So, we launched the Alliance of Underrepresented People to foster a more welcoming and inclusive environment for underprivileged students at Central, provide support for minority affinity groups, and raise awareness among the entire student body about issues Professor Billing highlighted in our class.”
Deahl’s initiative and dedication have resonated deeply within the Central community. Her peers recognized and valued her contributions so much that they elected her as Central’s 2022-23 Student Body President – an honor she hadn’t anticipated but wholeheartedly embraced.
“I am incredibly excited about this role! It was definitely not something I expected early in my college career, but I am eager to drive further positive changes by collaborating with administrators and fellow students,” Deahl shares.
Academically, Deahl has found guidance and inspiration from professors who have become some of the most influential figures in her life. “My relationships with my professors have been the cornerstone of my positive experience here and have been crucial to my success,” she emphasizes. “There are so many professors here – I can’t even count them all – with whom I’ve developed close relationships and who have profoundly impacted me. At Central, genuine connection is inevitable; you naturally get involved and build strong bonds with those around you. This is incredibly impactful, and it’s what truly makes Central exceptional – nothing else compares to this sense of community and faculty support.”
As she approaches the culmination of her college journey, Deahl credits Central for fostering an environment where she felt empowered to explore new paths. She strongly encourages prospective Central students to embrace this spirit of exploration.
“Try new things and don’t limit yourself,” Deahl advises. “That approach has allowed me to discover who I truly am, and the diverse opportunities I’ve had at Central have prepared me exceptionally well for my future. Nothing else compares to the breadth of experiences available here.”
However, her most heartfelt advice stems from personal experience and encourages future Central students to trust their instincts: “The most important advice I could give is to follow your heart. That’s what I have done at Central, and I truly believe it’s the most crucial thing you can do when choosing a college. When you find a place like Central, nothing else compares to the feeling of knowing you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.”
