Senator Mike Halpin Visits Knox During Higher Education Listening Tour

Illinois Senator Mike Halpin visited Knox College on Thursday, April 13, to speak with Knox senior staff members and local community leaders on his final stop of a two-week listening tour of colleges and universities in the 36th Senate District.

Halpin’s tour aimed to spur conversations around investments in MAP grants and capital infrastructure improvements in the state budget and other priorities to help colleges and universities statewide. His prior tour stops included Augustana College, Monmouth College, and Western Illinois University. 

The discussion at Knox centered around a number of key issues, including local and state student enrollment at Galesburg higher education institutions, financial aid, and mental health.

Knox College President C. Andrew McGadney opened the conversation by speaking alongside Carl Sandburg College President Seamus Reilly. They discussed the local connection and education pipeline formed between the two colleges. The pair expressed a strong desire to attract Pell Grant-eligible students and help them succeed in post-secondary education. 

Knox College faculty recently voted to join the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide transfer agreement among more than 100 participating colleges and universities in Illinois. McGadney confirmed that Knox welcomes 10 to 12 students per class year from Illinois community colleges. 

Galesburg CUSD #205 Superintendent John Asplund explained how the Gale Scholars program has created a successful pathway for local first-generation students to succeed academically. This program allows students to attend Carl Sandburg College and Knox College tuition-free. Coupled with other Illinois-focused initiatives such as the Galesburg Promise and the Prairie Promise, Gale Scholars has made a real difference for local students. 

“Understanding and acknowledging our commitment to the state is, in the long term, beneficial for Knox and Illinois,” McGadney said. “We believe this education is transformative and can create future leaders.“

Senator Halpin asked attending members to share their perspectives on mental health, including current challenges faced by local mental health facilities and professionals, and how the state could help to address this pressing concern.

McGadney stated that mental health is a major focus at Knox. In collaboration with Knox Vice President for Student Development MarQuita Barker, the College has significantly increased mental health resources for students and nearly eliminated wait times for appointments. There are still additional resources and services needed on campus, in particular, training for staff and faculty to provide assistance in the event of a mental health crisis would be crucial in the long term. 

Halpin confirmed that the state is paying attention to mental health issues. “There is an understanding within the legislature of how important it is to invest in mental health,” Halpin said. 

Halpin was also interested in how MAP grant assistance has helped Knox. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker recently proposed a $100 million increase in MAP funding for fiscal year 2024, as well as a seven percent increase in basic operating funds for public universities and community colleges.

McGadney explained that any state assistance helps alleviate financial pain points within higher education. He explained that the College's goal is to provide access to a life-changing education without creating massive debt for students and that state assistance such as MAP grants play a vital role in that goal.

Halpin closed the discussion with an appreciation for the viewpoints shared and a reminder of his goal to reinvigorate Illinois' image by strengthening local communities. Helping colleges such as Knox and Carl Sandburg is part of that plan.

“Things are flowing in a positive way in Illinois,” Halpin said. “I hope we can reinforce that idea in our communities.”