Academics

Óscar Reynaga, senior lecturer of Spanish, is class dean for Central’s Class of 2027. Reynaga received his B.A. degree in psychology and Spanish from the University of California Berkeley and his M.A. in Spanish from University of Iowa. He joined the department of modern languages at Central College in 2007. In addition to teaching Spanish and “Hispanics/Latinos in the U.S.,” he has taught an honors seminar, Intersections and co-developed short-term off-campus experiences for Central students in Merida and Peru.

Jeremy Burke, pre-health advisor and fellowship advisor, is the class dean for Central’s Class of 2026. He joined the Career Development and Civic Engagement team in 2021. This will be his first class serving as a class dean. Burke has a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and a Bachelor of Science in environmental biology from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. He went on to earn a master’s degree in philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and an MFA in creative writing (poetry) from University of New Orleans.

Burke has many years of advising students in pre-health programs including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, genetic counseling, physician assistant, public health, veterinary medicine and optometry. Since 1999, he also has served as a writing tutor, honors student advisor and associate director of general education. In addition to numerous publications and awards in poetry, Burke has taught courses at St. Ambrose University, University of the Holy Cross in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Loyola University New Orleans.

Amy Young, associate professor of German, is the class dean for Central’s Class of 2025. This will be her first class serving as a class dean. Young has a bachelor’s degree in German and political science from Simpson College. She earned her master’s degree from Bowling Green State University and her doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Young has taught at Central since 2008 with an emphasis on 20th century German and Austrian literature and culture, women’s and gender studies, sustainability and translation.

Her service to Central also includes as Intersections Director (2017-2019); election to the Personnel Committee and former International Programs Committee; appointment as faculty representative to the Board of Trustees (Student Development Committee); and three years on the former campus life committee, including a term as chair and one as secretary.

Mark Mills, professor of mathematics, is class dean for Central’s Class of 2024. Mills received his B.S. degree in mathematics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he was also inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. His M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in mathematics are from Iowa State University. He joined the department of mathematics and computer science at Central College in 1999. In addition to teaching mathematics, Mills is also the co-advisor for Central’s actuarial science program. He has served on the Faculty Welfare Committee, the Campus Benefits Committee and Faculty Personnel Committee.