Carl Steidel was born and raised in Atlantic Highlands, NJ. He received his B.M. in Music Education from Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA. After deciding on a different career path, Carl then received his M.S. Ed. in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania. While there, he worked as a Graduate Assistant in Student Activities at the Community College of Philadelphia. Prior to coming to Cornell, he worked in Residence Life at Elmira College, first as a Residence Life Coordinator and then as an Assistant Director. Carl has served as the Cook House Assistant Dean since 2007.

Carl enjoys books and movies of all kinds and is an avid board game player. As a classically trained singer, he also attempts to practice and perform whenever he can.

Carl's wife Jody joins him in their Alice Cook House apartment. Jody works at TST BOCES as a music teacher for students with special needs. Gavin also joins the Cook House community as the first baby-in-residence. He is the first child of Carl and Jody and is one year old.