Mount Sterling native goes from two-time college dropout to top senior scholar

Above: Daquan Neal, a graduating senior double majoring in Political Science and Psychology with a minor in Philosophy, presents his research, "Presidential Rhetoric and Its Impact on Voters."

Daquan Neal's journey through college was full of challenges, but he never gave up on his dreams. Neal, one of nine children in a single-income home while his father was incarcerated, spent many of his early years in a rough neighborhood on the south side of Columbus. Crime was rampant; for example, the family’s home was broken into once or twice every week.  

But his mother kept a big change jar hidden. She worked multiple jobs, saving up quarters and nickels to seize a better life for herself and her children. 

When Neal's father was released, he came home with a desire to turn his life around, working 12-hour days seven days a week. They dreamed of moving to the countryside — to have more open land and a quieter lifestyle. 

After the move, however, Neal faced bullying, racism, and ostracism from his peers. 

“I was always bullied at school,” he said. “I’m light-skinned, and I liked to read during recess. We moved to Mount Sterling when I was in sixth grade. On the first day there ... by recess, I got called the n-word.” 

Prior to moving to the country, Neal was picked on for being studious, but most of his peers looked like him. At the new school, “nobody looked like me. On my first day, I was already being called a racial slur. I felt out of place, never really fitting in,” Neal said.  

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Despite all of this, Neal was determined to attend college and make a difference in the world. Although he struggled to find his passion, he persevered and eventually found his direction. His story is a testament to the power of persistence and never giving up.  

After failing out of two colleges and transferring between two others, Neal found his way to Central State University.  

"When I went (to college for the first time), I felt like I wasn't ready. It was something I was supposed to do,” Neal said. “But I didn't know what I wanted to do or what I was passionate about. I know that's the reasoning behind my failure there."  

Neal landed on his choice of major after transferring to a community college. He was pursuing a degree to become a pharmacy technician. But a problem remained. 

“There was no passion behind it,” Neal said. “I remember feeling empty, helpless. You feel like you're failing because the school failed you, but if you look at yourself, you're failing yourself too, man. The school failing me hurt; me failing myself is what really hurt.” 

With these experiences behind him, Neal paused his college plans for a year before heading to a college with smaller class sizes. Neal changed his major three times while at his third institution, from marine biology to physical therapy and psychology. He also gained confidence in himself as a driven, smart, and talented student.  

Next, Neal decided to enroll in a state university, but he struggled to find the professional and extracurricular activities he wanted at his college of choice. The school emailed him, Neal said, stating that if he wanted more opportunities, “we recommend a transfer." 

“This was my first choice, my ideal school. I had moved three hours away from my family, and I felt dismissed and ignored. It broke my spirit heavily."  

Neal’s father had previously told him about Central State University, Ohio’s only public Historically Black University and 1890 Land-Grant Institution. That echoed in his head, so he made a phone call and scheduled an on-campus tour.  

Neal described it as a last-ditch effort. “This was it; if I didn’t succeed here, I was going to throw in the towel. I had the mental fortitude to give it one more shot. But it would have been the nail in the coffin, telling me that maybe I’m not cut out for this, and I should find a 9-5.” 

Finding community at Central State University

From the instant he walked through the door, Neal said he was met with friendliness, care, and a genuine interest in him.  

A recruitment specialist shared a list of scholarship opportunities that matched Neal's interests, major, and GPA. "I was not even asking for opportunities yet, and they were saying, 'Hey, do you want some opportunities?'”  

In 2022, Neal transferred credits from former institutions and double majored in political science and psychology with a minor in philosophy. Under the direction of Dr. Teresa Aikens, Honors and International student advisor and adjunct professor of psychology, Neal completed six honors projects in less than two years. One such project examined presidential rhetoric and its impact on voter attitudes. 

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In April, Neal was named the Outstanding Senior Scholar in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CHAS) at Central State during the annual Academic Recognition Convocation (ARC). 

“What stands out as the difference for me was the mentors and professors who believed in me. They have faith in me. They say, ‘We believe in you,’” Neal said. “It makes all the difference in the world.” 

During the ARC, one of Neal’s mentors, Assistant Professor of Political Science Brittany Page Brake, said the first word that comes to mind when she thinks of her mentee is “resilience.”  

“The first time Daquan and I communicated via email, he asked why the quizzes weren’t matching up with the class,” Brake recalled. “I thought this was strange because I’m pretty good about keeping up with D2L (Central State’s online learning management system). So, I checked the course page, but before I could respond, he had already emailed me again to let me know that 12 weeks into the semester, he had been reading the wrong syllabus.”  

Neal worked hard to make up for the error, going on to earn top college honors.  

“From that point on, I knew Daquan was a serious student,” Brake said. “More seriously, Daquan has faced economic challenges and personal loss during his time at CSU. Never has he complained about these. In fact, when he lost his brother (in an automobile accident in March), he actually apologized to me for being late to class, which was ridiculous. I told him family and his mental capacity always come first.” 

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Neal maintained a 4.0 GPA every semester, served as the 2023-34 Mr. CHAS, and is a founding member of Alpha Xi Mu — Central State’s first chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national Political Science Honor Society. He is also a Golden Key Scholar member.  

“I couldn’t be prouder of you, Daquan, and I know your brother is proud of you, too,” Brake said.  

Neal gave a moving speech about his path from two-time college dropout to top scholar and his resiliency in the face of tragedy.  

“I come to you today as a man who knows the meaning of the word failure,” he began. “For a larger portion of my life, I had considered myself a failure, as every goal I had set out for myself seemed to evade me at every turn. I was failing to be the student and man I knew I was capable of being. It wasn’t until I began to learn from my mistakes, reflect on myself, take accountability, and change my perspective on everything I thought I knew that I began ... my journey of growth. I am here before you today not only because of my successes at Central State but because of my failures in life."

“Here I am, two years after transferring as a two-time college dropout. ... I have battled so much that I would need to sit up here for an hour to begin to tell you my whole story. But all my struggles in life have led me to this place.” 

After thanking his family, mentors, and friends, Neal had one final word of appreciation. 

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“Lastly, I’d like to thank my brother, Kiare. Our time together was short, but you have imparted onto me your light and your positivity,” Neal said. “You have left quite the job for me, but I promise I will make changes to this system from the inside like I told you I would. I will leave you to explore the outside. We will have quite the conversation when we meet again. I wonder what sights you have seen. The sounds you have heard. The knowledge you have gained. I’m curious where you will go next. For now, I will put my curiosity of your misadventures in the afterlife aside, as I still have a lot to take care of down here."  

Neal has not only had outstanding success as a college student; he also has already begun working in politics. He interned with Sen. Michelle Reynolds and has been accepted as a legislative aide after graduation. Eventually, Neal plans to attend graduate school to earn a master’s degree and a doctorate in political science, teaching college part time while he pursues a career in politics. From there?  

“I will spend two years as an aide before I run for office as a state representative or senator,” Neal said. “I will serve as a senator in Congress for four to six years, and then I’ll take a shot at the presidency. You gotta aim high. I never would have thought I would say something like that. ... I’m going to run for President one day. I’m going to. It’s going to happen. I have the roadmap. I have enough faith in myself, and others have faith in me.” 

Neal wants to “reinvigorate politics” for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), especially young people. Recognizing voter turnout for young Black voters is low, Neal said he knows he can advance change.  

“I want to be President and a leader because I want to show people that you can do that,” he said. “Look where I was. Just because you’re in a compromised situation, it doesn’t mean you should be deterred from wanting that. I want to open opportunities for other people like me.” 

Hear more directly from Neal by watching the ARC livestream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NRHI1R5t2A.