More than 200 Knox alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends gathered in Chicago, St. Louis, and Atlanta this winter to share memories, laughter, and excitement for Knox’s future and to launch the College’s first comprehensive campaign in more than 20 years. 

Gathering at the University Club of Chicago, The Thaxton Club in Downtown St. Louis, and The Legacy Test Kitchen in Atlanta, guests heard from President C. Andrew McGadney, as well as administrators, alumni, faculty, and students, as they shared the impact of Knox’s unique programs and a vision for its future growth—the foundation for the Venture Boldly campaign.

“The main point of a comprehensive campaign is to dream big and think boldly,” President McGadney said. “Three ways we can make our great College even better is to drive strategic growth, enrich the student experience, and invest in our community. And I encourage all of you to help us Venture Boldly for Knox.”

Chicago, St. Louis, and Atlanta were only the first stops on a nationwide tour celebrating the Venture Boldly campaign. Trips to New York, Denver, Los Angeles, Seattle, and more are in the works this spring, ending with a grand celebration on the Knox campus in May.

Visit www.knox.edu/venture-boldly to learn more about the campaign and future events.

Whether it’s down the road or halfway across the world, moving away from home and embarking on the journey of a college education can be daunting. Among the many new experiences that await, integrating into a new social circle and finding a sense of belonging can seem overwhelming.

At Knox College, Living Learning Communities (LLCs) offer a unique opportunity for first-year students to connect with both their academic and social communities. For the 2024-25 academic year, seven LLCs were designed to foster an immersive environment where students live together in the same campus suite while also taking their First-Year Preceptorial (FP) courses together. This setup, located in Post and Campbell/Elder residence halls, encourages collaborative learning and social engagement.

Vice President for Student Development MarQuita Barker explained that LLCs serve as an important bridge between applying to Knox and stepping onto campus. By forming communal connections during the summer, students can feel more at ease with their suitemates, building deeper bonds before even arriving on campus. Grouping students by their FP course interests, which are selected via a summer interest survey, immediately aligns them with a shared academic focus.

“LLCs help create a sense of community. We want these connections to make students feel comfortable during the summer and ease their transition into college life,” Barker said.

LLC suites remain together throughout the entire first year, even after FP courses wrap up at the end of the fall term.

Seven Living Learning Communities were offered to this year’s entering students, all centered around the following First-Year Preceptorial courses.

• Challenges of Sustainability and Resilience
  Taught and advised by:
  
  • Associate Professor of Anthropology-Sociology William Hope
  • Director of Campus Sustainability Initiatives Tina Hope
• Creating Monsters
  (Two Sections)
  Taught and advised by:
  • Associate Professor of English Chad Simpson
  • Associate Professor of Spanish Fernando Gomez
• Democracy and DisInformation
  Taught and advised by:
  • Professor of English Emily Anderson
• Human Rights
  Taught and advised by:
  • Associate Professor of Political Science Duane Oldfield
• Myth and Modern
  Taught and advised by: 
  • Associate Professor of Classics Hilary Lehmann
• Science Fiction and Human Identity
  Taught and advised by:
  • Associate Professor of Modern Languages & Literatures (Spanish) Tim Foster

Leading the Way

This year, Knox has expanded its LLC offerings to include seven different groups—its largest number yet. Faculty advisors lead each LLC while teaching the connected FP course, providing academic and personal guidance throughout the year.

Faculty leaders have embraced the LLC model, noting its profound impact on students’ academic and personal growth. Alongside teaching their FP course, faculty leaders also serve as advisors for each student involved in their LLC through their first two years. Combining the student experience in the classroom with opportunities to interact one-on-one as individuals creates a unique perspective of the Knox education pathway for first-year students.

“For faculty, being an LLC advisor helps see students as whole individuals,” Barker said. Mar Armstrong ’28, who is enrolled in Associate Professor of Modern Languages Fernando Gomez’s Creating Monsters class, appreciated the opportunity to meet with her LLC advisor regularly. She explained that she looks forward to her advising appointments with Gomez, as the regular interactions have built a meaningful connection.

Associate Professor of Political Science Duane Oldfield, who leads the Human Rights FP class, highlights the diversity in his class, noting students from the United States, Japan, Pakistan, and Nepal. Their varied perspectives enrich discussions on immigration and asylum. “LLCs can help in a variety of ways,” he said. “They are particularly good for promoting learning beyond the classroom.”

For Oldfield, the LLC experience allows him to introduce students to local culture by organizing visits to art events, film screenings, and nearby historic sites, which add depth to his human rights curriculum.

The Student Experience

Oreoluwa Precious Ilori ’28 values the extra support she gets from living and studying alongside classmates. Although her FP course is just a portion of her term’s load, the study sessions and conversations in the LLC have made bonding easier. “Living with my classmates has helped me connect with them more closely—I know their majors, interests, and backgrounds,” she said.

For Oreoluwa, the experience has made making friends easier and has expanded her worldview. She connected with her roommate Olivia Nguyen ’28 months prior to moving onto campus. Having an immediate class friend while navigating the challenges of starting her education helped them adapt together. Nguyen, who moved to Galesburg from Vietnam, explained that joining the LLC has turned into a rewarding opportunity to forge friendships and improve her academic habits. “My roommate helps me stay on track. If she wasn’t always up on time in the morning, I would always be late,” Nguyen added.

Armstrong sought the LLC experience for a sense of familiarity in an unfamiliar environment. “Having friends around, not just in passing but throughout campus, has made adjusting easier,” Armstrong shared. Living with classmates who share her interests, such as environmental science, has helped her build a support system she can rely on.

Tristan Winston ’28, who came to Knox from California, was curious about the cultural exchange within the LLC. So far, he has enjoyed learning about his suitemates’ diverse backgrounds, from religious customs to cooking methods and even sports interests. “It’s exciting to learn about their cultures,” Winston said.

Even students initially wary of group living, like Catalina Kim ’28 from Seattle, have found value in the LLC experience. Kim’s FP course explores cultural perspectives on monsters, and she has enjoyed discussing horror films with her suitemates. “It’s been nice to have a shared experience with my suitemates. It’s become an easy conversation starter,” she said.

Building Community at Knox 

LLCs at Knox are more than just dormitories with shared classes—they are spaces where students support each other through both academic challenges and the personal growth of the first year.

A core vision for LLCs at Knox emphasizes community beyond the classroom. Faculty advisors like Associate Professor of Classics Hilary Lehmann see LLCs as a chance to bridge classroom learning with practical life skills. As an advisor, she helps students navigate Knox’s registration systems and academic planning, integrating guidance alongside her teaching. Her class explores how modern authors of color reinterpret ancient myths, prompting students to reflect on identity, race, and culture.

For her international students, many of whom hail from Vietnam, living in an LLC offers a structured community and a “home feel” that can ease their transition to college life in the U.S. “LLCs give structure for incoming students. It has a home feel to it and gives them a base where they belong, even if it’s not necessarily people who look like them,” she added.

Gomez, whose class delves into cultural anxieties through horror films and literature, also sees LLCs as an opportunity for students to bond outside of class. His class attended a screening of The Lost Boys at the Orpheum Theatre, discussing the themes of “otherness” portrayed through vampires. Other LLCs took part in trips to regional museums and even day trips to Green Oaks as an opportunity to bond and see local offerings. “It’s fascinating to see how each culture interprets horror, and how those interpretations bring students together,” Gomez said. He shared appreciation for the informal interactions LLCs facilitate, noting how students help each other in ways that extend beyond academics.

As LLCs evolve, Vice President Barker hopes LLCs will serve as an anchor for retention and success at Knox. “The built-in community offers a support network that fosters both academic and social growth,” Barker said. “We hope that this helps students build lasting relationships with their peers and faculty throughout their time at Knox.

The story of Knox College’s TRIO Achievement Program is one of endurance, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to supporting students from marginalized backgrounds. From its inception as the Educational Development Program (EDP) to its eventual rebranding as TRIO, the program has helped guide generations of students toward a successful Knox education.

Over the past 50 years, Knox TRIO has served approximately 2,200 students, supported by more than $10 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education since 1974. The program has been a cornerstone of academic success for first-generation and low-income students, achieving an average annual collegiate persistence rate of 91.7 percent and a 94.7 percent rate of students ending the year in good academic standing since 2007. 

This milestone anniversary highlights not only the program’s resilience but also the profound difference it has made in the lives of countless Knox students over the past half-century.

“I can think of no program that better represented the values of Knox,” Knox College President C. Andrew McGadney said. “It has made a tremendous difference for generations of alumni. It's because of our local leaders and government officials that help continue such a valuable program to meet Knox’s mission.”

Risa Lopez, executive director of TRIO & McNair Programs, has led TRIO for 18 years, one of only three directors in the program’s history, underscoring the program’s stability and the trust placed in its leadership. Her focus has been on creating a nurturing environment where students can find a "center in others who belong in the same world," making the TRIO space feel like a community rather than merely an assistance program. "To have maintained this program amid changing enrollment numbers and institutional demands is significant," she added.

The TRIO Achievement Program serves first-generation, low-income students, as well as students with disabilities. It has become essential to the college experience for students who face challenges beyond traditional academics, providing support for everything from financial literacy and FAFSA guidance to career readiness and emotional resilience. Lopez stressed that TRIO is not about doing the work for students, rather, describing the process as a “trampoline, not a safety net.” Students are encouraged to take ownership of their success.

Helping Students, 50 Years Strong

For many, the TRIO journey begins even before classes start. The TRIO Bridge Program, a summer onboarding session, offers participants an introduction to college life and familiarizes them with available resources. For students like Alexa Custer ’25, a Gale Scholar whose journey with TRIO began in Galesburg High School, this initial experience set a foundation that made her transition to Knox smoother. As a commuter, Custer found a sense of community within TRIO. She has now been a TRIO peer mentor for three years, fostering connections with new students and their families, and guiding them through the same adjustments she once navigated.

“Laura [Bush] has always been like my backbone,” Custer added, referring to her TRIO advisor. “I come out of those meetings refreshed and motivated about whatever’s happening.”

Custer is currently considering graduate school for philosophy. To aid her in this effort, she is utilizing the aid of the McNair Scholars Program, a sister program of TRIO. It is designed to prepare underrepresented undergraduate students for the challenges of doctoral studies through research experiences, academic planning, and other scholarly activities. 

Custer sees herself possibly working within a TRIO program in the future, giving back to the community that shaped her college experience.

The program also supports students navigating the challenges of balancing athletics and academics. Aleene Ramirez ’25, a journalism major from San Antonio, Texas, came to Knox during a tumultuous time, as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her senior year of high school.

Adjusting to college life was challenging, and it wasn’t until she connected with TRIO Associate Director Brandi Grimes that she found the guidance she needed. "It helped me feel seen. I didn’t feel like just another college student," she recalled.

TRIO’s guidance has been essential as she balances her academic responsibilities with her commitment to the Prairie Fire women’s soccer team. One of the key changes Ramirez has included in her daily life is a planner book that she carries everywhere she goes. “Brandi [Grimes] understood how chaotic the daily life of an athlete is. Using this planner helped me factor in small time sinks throughout my day and has changed my academic life,” she added. The structure and personalized support from TRIO have allowed her to succeed in both spheres, demonstrating the program's flexibility in meeting students' varied needs.

For alumni like Patrick Ford ’17, who now teaches in Chicago, TRIO was a lifeline that helped him adjust to college life and its accompanying cultural challenges. As a first-generation college student, Ford initially resisted the idea of joining TRIO, believing he needed to approach the challenges of college alone. However, he says Lopez’s persistence paid off, helping him ultimately find a supportive community that helped him overcome both academic and personal challenges. “Without TRIO, I wouldn’t have been successful,” Ford reflects. “I was ready to drop out, it was a culture shock.”

Over time, the program’s advisors, such as Lopez and Director of the Center for Teaching & Learning John Haslem, taught Ford how to navigate life at Knox and beyond, instilling values of resilience and adaptability that he now applies as an educator.

Reflecting on the Past

Though it has changed names, the TRIO program has always provided a core mission of access. For Associate Dean of the College and Philip Sidney Post Professor of Chemistry Mary Crawford ’89, this mission hits close to home.

As a former student utilizing the services of what was then referred to as the Educational Development Program (EDP), to now assisting the program in her role as associate dean, Crawford says the program is an incredibly important resource for Knox. She says TRIO has provided a pathway for underprivileged students to better connect with faculty and staff, helping immerse them in a Knox education.

“You have to look at the whole student, and not just in the classroom. It’s about understanding their entire life and how they’ve reached this point,” she added.

Crawford says it’s important for the College to maintain its TRIO program not only for current students but also to show alumni that Knox is maintaining access to education. Whether it be for a first-generation college student finding their way in uncharted waters or a student from a low-income family, Crawford says TRIO provides a message to all that they belong. “TRIO gives students a compass for higher education,” Crawford said.

For Chris Chaney ’80, the EDP helped him feel connected to Knox at a time when few other students looked like him. As a minority student on campus during the late 1970s, Chaney says it was hard to find a support system of people who truly understood his struggles. Chaney says the biggest obstacle he faced entering Knox was writing. He utilized the EDP to help improve his writing skills and also as an emotional support system. At times, he says the advisors and students within the EDP were his emotional getaway. “Being a minority student, having a support system, emotionally and academically, was a big deal,” he added.

Jameta Rodgers ’97 recently returned to campus during 2024 Homecoming to speak during a TRIO 50th anniversary celebration. She detailed her experience as a math secondary education major, as well as feeling under-
represented in most classes she took at Knox.

She admitted that coming from a primarily African American high school, she had trouble trusting faculty and advisors having her best interest at heart. “I had to learn to accept their help,” she said.

For Rodgers, advisors within EDP allowed her to be successful, helping guide her to use her talents within leadership opportunities around campus and become a “fuller person.” Today, Rodgers serves as associate dean of student development at Richard J. Daley College. Many of the individual points of growth she adopted through EDP have translated into her current career.

“This program helped me to see and own my voice. Not just to go into an established career, but to pursue myself,” Rodgers said. 

TRIO Today

As years have passed, the challenges of the modern student have changed in ways both expected and unexpected.

COVID-19’s impact on higher education has introduced new challenges, especially for low-income and first-generation students. Post-COVID, TRIO students report increased levels of anxiety, with financial stresses and technology gaps making college transitions even more daunting. TRIO has adapted to meet these new demands, incorporating additional mental health resources and creating a “help-seeking culture” that encourages students to embrace academic and emotional support.

Knox TRIO Academic Coordinator Laura Bush pointed to a struggle with deep learning among students. She says that, for many, the transition from Zoom calls to collegiate classrooms has presented new challenges; however, she shared a sense of optimism through the way students have adopted TRIO services into their lives.

For Bush, the use of peer mentors in oneon-one settings and group study sessions has enabled students to come to terms with their struggles in an accepting environment. In her 14 years at Knox, she says the student’s willingness to utilize TRIO and the Center for Teaching & Learning assistance is consistently improving.

“I feel like we have a strong and proactive program. The student mentors are so vital to our success,” Bush added.

Financial literacy has also become a crucial element of TRIO’s mission. Many students enter Knox with financial burdens that can feel insurmountable, yet TRIO demystifies the process, guiding them through FAFSA, budgeting, and the nuances of maintaining financial aid eligibility. "We want them to fully understand what financial aid actually means," says Lopez.

Students often arrive with a fear of confronting their finances, but TRIO advisors work to replace that fear with knowledge, empowering them to manage their own educational expenses.

The program has expanded its focus to include career readiness, recognizing that TRIO students often underutilize career resources compared to their non-TRIO peers. Through workshops and one-on-one guidance, students are encouraged to leverage campus resources like the Bastian Family Center for Career Success. TRIO’s goal is not only to help students succeed at Knox but to prepare them for life after college, ensuring they have the skills needed to thrive in professional environments.

The overall percentage of TRIO-eligible students on campus has remained fairly constant over the years but peaked around 2014-15 when more than 60 percent of U.S. students on campus met at least one eligibility criterion. Evaluating data from last year’s TRIO students, Lopez shared that participants earned higher grades in FP, higher grades their first term, higher grades their first year, earned more credits in their first year, and were more likely to persist in school from one year to the next when compared to non-participants. 

Looking forward, TRIO continues to be driven by its commitment to community and an evolving understanding of what student success looks like. As TRIO’s funding is closely tied to the federal budget process, the program submitted its most recent grant proposal to the U.S. Department of Education in July 2024 to request continued funding for the 2025-2030 academic years. This funding is critical for ensuring students continue to have access to resources that help them thrive.

For 50 years, TRIO has been a pillar of support, serving as both a launchpad and a safety net for students whose college journeys might otherwise be fraught with obstacles. From the modest beginnings of the Educational Development Program to the robust support system it offers today, TRIO has played an integral role in Knox’s mission to provide an inclusive, accessible education. TRIO alumni are part of a national network of nearly 6 million TRIO graduates, showcasing the program’s significant reach and transformative impact on individuals across the country.

As Knox celebrates this major anniversary, it’s clear that TRIO’s commitment to fostering student success will remain at its core, a promise to future generations of Knox students that they will always have a place to belong and a team to help them thrive.

Dear Knox Community, Just a little over a month ago, the public phase of Venture Boldly, Knox’s first comprehensive campaign in more than 20 years, was launched in Chicago. It was a momentous evening, with more than 200 Knox alumni, parents, and friends coming together to celebrate the College and look to its bold future. While raising money may be the most apparent goal associated with a campaign, one of the beautiful outcomes of these initiatives is building, elevating, and nurturing community. One of the highlights of the Chicago event was watching generations of alumni talking and engaging with each other, as well as with students, faculty, and staff. The brilliance of our community connections—the love and support shown for Knox and its people—was palpable, and it was a joy to watch. I can also see this same support and engagement on the pages of this Knox Magazine. Throughout the issue, you’ll see a singular story emerge from its individual articles, profiles, and notes: Knox students benefit from community support and engagement from the moment they walk on campus to their years finding professional and personal success. Here are a few of my favorite highlights from the issue:

• Student support is at the heart of Knox’s outstanding TRIO Achievement Program, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. TRIO is a federally supported program, and its mission is to provide students with personalized support and comprehensive programming to promote academic success, personal growth, and a meaningful sense of community. Read more about TRIO’s transformative support of generations of Knox students on page 6.
• Another community-building initiative that Knox reinstated this fall is the Living Learning Community (LLC). Offering a unique opportunity for first-year students to connect with their communities, LLCs are designed to foster an immersive environment where students live in the same campus suite while also taking their First-Year Preceptorial courses together. The goal is to encourage collaborative learning and social engagement. Read more about this year’s seven LLCs on page 12.
• Knox welcomed seven new tenure-track faculty members this fall. As mentors to our students, helping to guide them to become their best selves, they are truly the soul of the institution (page 32).
• Trustee Joe ’67 and Diane Bastian bolstered student support services with a multi-million dollar gift dedicated to student success and Knox’s business program (page 25). 
• And six alumni were awarded College recognitions for their lifetime dedication to community service or outstanding service to their alma mater (page 45 and page 59).

Many of these initiatives and accomplishments are supported by funds raised through the Venture Boldly campaign, and all are rooted in the engagement and support woven into the very fabric that binds us all together. I ask that each of you join us in this exciting and transformative Venture Boldly campaign. Join us at an upcoming event—see the fruit of the fundraising process; engage with fellow classmates, students, faculty members; and support Knox’s exciting future in a way that’s meaningful to you.

I look forward to seeing you soon at an upcoming event—visit knox.edu/venture-boldly for future stops—or on the Knox campus.

Warmest regards,