As the 2024-25 academic year begins, Knox College welcomes seven new tenure-track faculty members.

With one of the largest incoming classes in the College’s history, this group of educators reflects Knox’s commitment to academic excellence. While aligning faculty expertise and student interests is an ongoing project, 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. “It is the normal course of events that esteemed colleagues retire at the end of each academic year. It is impossible to replace those colleagues and their contributions to Knox overnight. At the same time, new faculty bring new perspectives, new experiences, and new inspiration to our curriculum. We are delighted to welcome them to the Knox community.”

Here’s a closer look at the newest members of the Knox faculty.

Robert Geraci

Knight Distinguished Chair for Study of Religion and Culture and Professor of Religious Studies

Geraci earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Plan II Honors in Liberal Arts in 1999 from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as a Master of Arts degree in 2003 and a Ph.D. in 2005 in religious studies from the University of California-Santa Barbara.

Geraci enjoys helping people see the subtle ways that things can be infused with religious practices or beliefs, with a particular interest in the realm of science and technology. Geraci also teaches traditional religions and will bring a new South Asian Religions course to Knox. He hopes to make religious studies an interesting part of students' intellectual work across the College, whether it be part of their major or simply an element of their liberal arts experience. 

“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. I can't wait to see what it feels like to have that kind of intellectual variation in my classes,” Geraci said. 

Jeffrey Grimes

Assistant Professor of Psychology 

Grimes earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology in 2016 from Millikin University, a Master of Science degree in education in 2018 from Indiana University, and a Ph.D. in philosophy in 2023 from the University of Iowa. 

As an educator, Grimes values mentorship, the eagerness to learn, and finding ways to grow alongside his students in life and academia. 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 a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and a Master of Business Administration from the Postgraduate Institute of Management at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, as well as a Master of Science degree, a Master of Arts degree, and a 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. Hewapathirana’s multifaceted career brings global experience to the classroom to enrich the knowledge of global business.

“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 a Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian studies, international studies, and political science in 2011 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Master of Arts degree in East Asian studies in 2014 from Stanford University, and a Ph.D. in political science in 2024 from the University of Missouri.

Kim’s 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 and diplomacy, and more. Outside of teaching, Kim is a massive fan of soccer, playing and watching. 

“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 a Bachelor of Economics and Finance degree in 2008 and a Master of Economics degree in 2010 from the University of Hong Kong, as well as a Master of Arts degree in economics and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Pittsburgh in 2013 and 2018, respectively.

Mak 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. Coming to Knox, she was impressed by the College’s standing as one of the nation’s most diverse campuses, as well as the strong foundation in liberal arts education.

“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 a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in drawing and painting in 2019 from the Ontario College of Art & Design University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in fiber and material studies in 2022 from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. 

Nie’s research focuses on painting and drawing, with additional interests in glass, ceramics, printmaking, and projection. Her teaching emphasizes pictorial structure, mark-making, traditional and experimental approaches, intersection with emergent technologies, art history, and contemporary theories, collaborative and communal practices, research-based work, and conceptual art.  

“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 College's unique capabilities to serve and allocate resources for individual students,” Nie said.

Bryce Palar

Assistant Professor of Integrative Business and Management 

Palar earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management and administration from Bradley University, as well as a Master of Business Administration degree in business administration and a Doctor of Business Administration degree from St. Ambrose University.

Palar wants to provide an engaging learning experience instead of having students aim for a high grade. He believes learning provides growth, awareness, and self-confidence to the minds of all ages. Palar hopes to shape the foundations of future leaders by developing a stronger understanding of the connection between the business side and the people side of modern organizations. As a teacher, Palar views his responsibility as promoting and positively impacting the benefits of learning. 

“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.