Alumni and Students Connect at Black History Month Panel Discussion

In honor of Black History Month, four Knox College alumni returned to campus, both in person and virtually, to talk with current students about their Knox memories and the impact that Knox has had on their lives. 

The alumni guests were Rashanda Hassel '97, a special education teacher with Chicago Public Schools; Christina Aquino '10, a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Chicago who previously practiced law; Jordan Lanfair '11, an undergraduate supports manager for the Golden Apple Foundation and a former teacher; and Patrick Ford '17, assistant principal of student engagement, a math teacher, and a math content lead at EPIC Academy in Chicago.

The gathering, organized by Knox’s Offices of Intercultural Life and Alumni Engagement, took place on February 8 at the HOPE Center. The moderator was Knox student Isaiah Simon, vice president of Allied Blacks for Liberty and Equality (A.B.L.E.), who explained that the event was meant to build connections between students and alumni. Here are some highlights.

Rashanda Hassel majored in anthropology and sociology and studied abroad in Zimbabwe while at Knox.

“Knox gave me the confidence to pursue whatever I want, even if it’s something that’s not defined -- just go out there and carve your name into the world. If it’s something that you want to do that hasn’t been done, try it,” she said.

Her advice to students: “Enjoy your time here. Network before you leave. Visit the career center office.”

Responding to a question about overcoming challenges, Hassel pointed out that she had been a first-generation college student. “My biggest struggle was just figuring things out because there was nobody before me. What I did was I relied a lot on the students at A.B.L.E. I created a family on campus that I relied on, that had different experiences than myself.”

Christina Aquino majored in Black Studies, now known as Africana Studies, at Knox, and she described the College as unique.

“It allows you to embrace your individualism. It allows you to be your authentic self,” she said. 

Her advice to students: “This is so cliche, but it goes by in a flash. Embrace it while you’re here. Be open to new experiences, be open to meeting different kinds of people and taking different kinds of classes. Absorb everything that you can, and I think that will prepare you to tackle anything once you leave.”

Jordan Lanfair majored in elementary education and the self-designed field of language, pedagogy, and culture at Knox. He said, “The absolute best thing I can tell you about what to do at Knox is: Find yourself.”

“Knox is really unique in that you kind of don’t have to care about ‘the career.’ You can focus more on the problem you want solved in the world, and that lets you put your skills, talents, energies, and passions to so many different places. But you only do that if you spend your time really figuring out who you are.”

His advice to students: “Take every opportunity to put yourself out there to find what really lights that fire in your soul.”

Patrick Ford majored in anthropology and sociology as a Knox student.

“One thing that I took from Knox is basically allowing people to help you grow,” he said, naming several individuals who enhanced his Knox experience. Staff members Becky Canfield and Tianna Cervantez of the Office of Intercultural Life, Stephanie Grimes of the Office of Disability Support Services, and Risa Lopez of the TRIO and McNair Scholars programs, as well as former faculty member Jessie Dixon, “helped me to actually become the person who I am today,” he said. Ford also cited his friendship with Jordan Lanfair.

“Connecting with them allowed me to grow within, to learn from them,” he said. Ford urged current students to learn from the people around them. They’ll “help you push forward, no matter what.”

He offered additional advice to students: “You should always have a daily mission as to what you have to do and what your goal is. Your people will keep you grounded.”

The alumni concluded the discussion by encouraging students to connect with them through the Black Alumni Network, which has a presence on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

“Connect with us. We’re your resource,” Aquino said. “There are so many alumni who want to reach out to you and want to help you in any way that they can.”