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A students is walking in front of the south side of Old Main. Two purples banners that say "Knox" in yellow hang on either side of the building.

Our Values

Knox strives to live its values, built upon our historic mission, each and every day.

What we stand for: a short list.

  1. Education is a social good. We believe that knowledge is meant to be shared, tested through experience, revised, and shared again. It is a communal tool, an endlessly renewable resource, a force for change.
  2. Education should be accessible to all. We were founded on this belief; we live it today; we believe it's the foundation of a better future.
  3. Education is experience. We put our education to work in the wider world; knowledge becomes more valuable when it's applied. Every Knox student brings their education into what's otherwise known as the real world. To us, it's just the world, and we're here to work with it, learn from it, move it forward.
  4. Education embraces difference. We seek out opposing views. We pursue the unfamiliar, the overlooked, the alternative. We're polyphonic; we're capable of speaking and thinking and acting in dozens of ways. This is how the world works; this is how innovation happens; this is how you belong to (and create) the future.
  5. Education starts with respect. We don't tolerate discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct. Mutual respect, trust, a recognition of the rights and dignity of every individual—these values are at the core of who we are.
  6. Education works especially well if everyone is, at heart, nice. We try to be nice in the broadest, deepest sense of the word: we smile at people when we pass them; we see the good in others; we make good food and share it. This is what it means to be from a small city in the heart of the country.
A Chinese and Japanese student shake hands and hold their home country's flags.

Diversity & Inclusivity

We believe that you learn the most from the people least like you. Knox College is rooted in an historic commitment to social justice and to access to education for all qualified students. Most important, we strive to make Knox a welcoming community for all members of our community.

Diversity & Inclusivity
A smiling Knox student holds falls leaves in her hands as other students rake leaves in the background.

Sustainability

At Knox, we're committed to creating and nurturing a culture of sustainability. Our sustainability initiatives are creative, collaborative, and conscientious.

Learn more
A professor and students hold a class discussion while sitting in a circle on the campus lawn.

Culture of Respect

Knox is a community of individuals with diverse identities who come from many different cultures and backgrounds. We believe that a respectful and safe learning community is a shared responsibility, and we are committed to working collaboratively to foster a culture of respect on our campus.

Culture of Respect