Coby DeLeon

Biography

When I found out that my family would be moving to Oberlin before the start of my freshman year of high school, I thought it would be just another small Northeast Ohio town like any of the others I'd lived in. I’m so, so glad I was proven wrong. From the first year I spent in Oberlin, I knew this would be my home. It was my home, literally, but also in the sense that I knew I found the place that I would fall in love with. 

The next four years at Oberlin High School flew by, and I was soon faced with the decision as to where I would attend college. While it was still a stressful time–as it is for everyone pursuing higher education–I was lucky enough to know exactly where I wanted to be. I applied early decision to Oberlin College, and was ecstatic to receive my acceptance letter. 

To say the following four years were normal and expected would be, well, incorrect. Covid began its rampage through the world during the Spring semester of my freshman year. I don’t think I’ll ever forget sitting in my Biology lab hearing another student say, “Oh… we have to leave campus by the end of the week.” The next couple of years were challenging, to say the least. However, it was the resilience of my fellow students, the staff and faculty, and the community members of this tiny Ohio town that kept me going. As early as the second semester of my sophomore year, things felt somewhat back to normal. I was singing in a college choir directed by a recent alum. I started my job in the Student Mail Room. (Shoutout to Cheryl and Amy! They’re the best.) I also finally declared that I would be a psychology major, thanks to the help of my amazing advisor, Professor Cindy Frantz! 

Covid felt like more of a giant pothole in the middle of the street, rather than a simple roadblock. But, with the support system I had at the college and in the community, I was able to pull myself up and out of it. 

Suddenly, it was May 22, 2023, and I was walking across the stage in Tappan Square after four years of undergrad and a semester abroad in London. Diploma in hand and psychology degree on my resume, it was time to take the next step in my journey. 

You’ll be unsurprised to hear that that next step brought me only a block away, to the Oberlin College Admissions Office! As a brand new admissions counselor, I hope to help prospective students find their home here at Oberlin, just as I did those eight years ago. 

When I’m not at work, you can usually find me drawing in Slow Train (the coffee shop downtown), seeing a movie with my friends at the Apollo, watching cheesy shows with my mom and nerdy shows with my dad, and playing with my cats, Guillermo and Gus, with my younger sibling! 

Feel free to reach out to me anytime if I’m your area representative. I can’t wait to talk with all of you about this amazing town and college!