Preparing students to find personal and professional success after Knox is the College’s primary mission, yet sometimes life skills can be just as important as the skills you learn in the classroom. This year, Knox has new and innovative ways, from immersion programs to in-person alumni advising, to ease students’ transition into their post-Knox journeys—KnoxTreks trips, KnoxWell programs, and Forever Fire panels.
KnoxTreks gives students, potential employers, and alumni curated experiences that directly connect students’ academic interests with career exploration and successful transitions after graduation. “KnoxTreks offers students an immersive experience to gain first-hand exposure to industries and professional networks. Students tour companies and meet with leadership. They learn from recruiters what they seek in new talent or explore campuses and programs to support continued academic success,” said Assistant Vice President for Career & Community Engagement & Director of the Bastian Family Center for Career Success Tiffany Springer.
In March, KnoxTreks made two day trips to Chicago—the first was to the University of Chicago to give students an understanding of the grad school process and experience; the second was focused on careers in the arts. Nine students took advantage of the opportunity to spend the day on the University of Chicago campus. The art trek to Chicago was the first discipline-specific trip and was led by Springer and included members of the Bastian Family Center for Career Success and Advancement, as well as Associate Professor of Art Andrea Ferrigno. Students were able to network and meet with Knox alumni living in the Chicagoland area and working in the arts, including Megan Williamson ’82, a Chicago- based painter; Joel Willison ’20, a theatre and digital media specialist; Aleah Schallack ’24, an art therapy graduate student; and Gabriel Moreno ’14, a visual artist.
During winter and spring terms, Health and Counseling Services, collaborating with the Bastian Family Center, launched KnoxWell workshops. Unlike career-focused programs, KnoxWell offers practical sessions on finance and benefits for students and community members interested in financial planning.
“Health and Wellness is a collaborative organization. We look at an individual’s whole health, including the stressors of adulthood like finances and insurance,” said Assistant Vice President for Health & Wellness Jeanine Fox. “We hope to help equip young adults with information for success within the KnoxWell areas: emotional, physical, community, purpose, financial, and social.”
The first session, Financial Advising 101, was with Charles (CL) Cummings, president of Galesburg’s Tompkins State Bank. Cummings led a workshop on financial wellness, covering basics such as budgeting, student loans, and debt management. The second session covered banking and budgeting, diving into financial benefits and independence. Students learned the importance of setting up retirement plans and taking advantage of employer-sponsored 401(k) plans. The third and fourth sessions focused on benefits and insurance.
In May, Knox brought alumni back to campus for the second Forever Fire Weekend, a twoday experience designed to help students network and gain knowledge and advice from alumni. Organized by the Bastian Family Center and the Office of Engagement, students engaged with visiting alumni. They focused on professional development while networking and building relationships.
After the panel discussion, students were able to network with the panelists and ask more in-depth questions about life after college. Students had additional opportunities to connect with young alumni, also including Alex Tanaka ’18 and Brian Tanaka ’15.