Climbing Opportunity

“I’m learning the right things at Central, and I’m also getting the right exposure to networking and connections. I think those skills will really translate to my future well.”

— Katelyn Freeman ’26

Hometown: Castle Rock, Colorado
Majors: Economics, Spanish, Mathematics
Scholarships: P.H. Kuyper Scholarship
Campus Activities: Women’s Tennis, Admission Ambassador, Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), Women’s Triathlon, Supplemental Instructor for the economics department
Career Goal: Fund Manager

 
Story By: Grace Benson ’26

Katelyn Freeman ’26 began her academic journey at an alternative elementary school in Colorado where students embarked on camping and backpacking trips instead of traditional field trips. During her time at Central College, the Colorado native has translated the lessons she learned from her unique academic background to a triple major in economics, Spanish and mathematics.

Freeman grew up familiar with Central, but she never knew that she would one day call Pella, Iowa, her home away from home. Her grandmother’s Dutch roots and farm in Pella brought her to Pella each year for the holidays and put Central on her radar when she began considering colleges.

“I had originally been considering all Division I schools — big, huge schools,” Freeman recalls. “I visited Central the day before Thanksgiving and met with my admission counselor.”

The individualized experience she received during her visit continued with an opportunity to complete a Scholar Day interview while she was already on campus.

Freeman’s Scholar Day interview led to a full-tuition scholarship that solidified her decision to choose Central.

“My scholarship made my Central experience possible,” Freeman says. “I’m so thankful.”

As a student, Freeman found herself adding academic opportunities that matched her interests — no matter how different they were. She found herself declaring a Spanish major alongside her majors in economics and mathematics.

“Language and numbers click really well in my brain,” Freeman explains. “It was one of those things that when you’re signing up for classes, you realize, ‘Oh, I could get the minor,’ and then, ‘Oh, it’s only two more classes to get the major.’ I just kept adding, and that’s where my triple major came from.”

Though Freeman enjoys all three of her majors, her true passion is economics. A recent internship experience at a small wealth management firm solidified her interest in pursuing a career in economics. She expects to follow this passion as far as her future adventures enable.

“After graduating, I’m looking at spending a year in either New York or Chicago and getting upfront stock market or options trading experience,” she shares.

In the meantime, Freeman keeps busy at Central as a member of the women’s triathlon team, women’s tennis team, Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) leadership team and through her work as a Supplemental Instructor for the economics program.

“My schedule keeps me busy, but it keeps me entertained,” Freeman explains. “I get to meet a ton of different people.”

Freeman’s active social life at Central began when she was a first-year student living in Scholte Hall.

“My roommate and I wanted to meet as many people as we could, so we talked with our floor,” she says. “We all decided to keep our doors open, and we got to know everyone that lived on our floor.”

Now, Freeman lives in a townhouse with a roommate she met due to her open-door policy in Scholte.

“My roommate Sara Sienkiewicz ’26 and I stayed great friends after our first year at Central. She’s going to be a lifelong friend.”

Connections and relationships that she’s made are some of Freeman’s favorite things about Central.

“I’m learning the right things at Central, and I’m also getting the right exposure to networking and connections,” she shares. “I think those skills will really translate to my future well.”

Beyond academics and her extracurricular commitments on campus, Freeman is grateful for her experience as an out-of-state student and the close connection she has maintained with her family.

“Central has taught me that I can be independent and find my own identity here,” she says.

Central’s commitment to individualized relationships and experiences opens doors and launches students like Freeman into successful futures — wherever they choose to call home next.

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