Knox welcomed seven new tenure-track faculty members at the start of the 2024-25 academic year. With one of the largest incoming classes in the College’s history, new faculty hiring is a move Provost and Dean of the College Michael Schneider sees as a clear demonstration of Knox’s priority on maintaining a high-quality education. “Replenishing the ranks of the Knox College faculty is cause for annual celebration,” Schneider added.
Robert Geraci
Knight Distinguished Chair for Study of Religion and Culture and Professor of Religious Studies
Geraci earned his Ph.D. in 2005 in religious studies from the University of California-Santa Barbara. He teaches traditional religions and will bring a new South Asian Religions course to Knox, with a particular interest in the realm of science and technology.
“I am super excited to have students who range in disciplines from computer science to sculpture. Knox’s inclusion of the fine arts next to the humanities next to the hard sciences and everything else feels wonderful,” Geraci said.
Jeffrey Grimes
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Grimes earned his Ph.D. in philosophy in 2023 from the University of Iowa. His research interests broadly include processes and outcomes within therapy and treatment, specifically within group psychology, sports psychology, and religion. Grimes is certified as a mental performance consultant and plans to teach sports performance classes in the spring.
“I am excited to get to know the students and the campus community, and I’m grateful to be hired within the psych department,” Grimes added.
Gertrude Hewapathirana
Associate Professor of Business and Management
Hewapathirana earned her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. A seasoned professor of strategy, entrepreneurship, and management subjects with a distinguished academic career spanning 14 years, Hewapathirana’s previous academic positions are complemented by her extensive 12 years of industry sector experience with various international organizations, providing practical insights that she seamlessly integrates into her teaching.
“What attracted me to Knox is its location as a small city and especially the student culture and liberal arts education,” Hewapathirana added.
Yu Bin Kim
Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations
Kim earned his Ph.D. in political science in 2024 from the University of Missouri. His research and teaching interests revolve around both interstate and intrastate conflicts, the former involving conflicts between countries and the latter involving conflicts within countries. His interests also branch into nuclear politics, rebel governance, diplomacy, and more.
“I’m excited to join Knox because it will expose me to the culture of liberal arts colleges. I’m really looking forward to it,” Kim added.
Angela Mak
Assistant Professor of Economics
Mak earned her Ph.D. in economics from the University of Pittsburgh in 2018. She specializes in applied microeconomics with a heavy focus on data analysis. She shares a deep interest in health economics, specifically in the study of childhood obesity and childhood development in cognitive and non-cognitive skills.
“I am excited to join Knox, as the community is very welcoming to international faculty and students,” Mak added.
Donny Nie
Assistant Professor of Art
Nie earned her Master of Fine Arts degree in fiber and material studies in 2022. Nie’s research focuses on painting and drawing, with additional interests in glass, ceramics, printmaking, and projection. Her teaching emphasizes pictorial structure, intersection with emergent technologies, art history, collaborative and communal practices, conceptual art, and more.
“I am most excited by Knox College’s intimate and comprehensive approaches to building a safe and supportive environment for students. Coming from a public university, I am fascinated by Knox’s unique capabilities to serve and allocate resources for individual students,” Nie said.
Bryce Palar
Assistant Professor of Integrative Business and Management
Palar earned his Doctor of Business Administration degree from St. Ambrose University. He believes learning provides growth, awareness, and self-confidence to the minds of all ages.
“I hope to be able to shape the foundations of our future leaders by developing a stronger understanding of the connection between both the business side and the people side of modern organizations,” Palar added.