Chicago Term Brings Together Knox Students and Alumni in the Windy City

The third iteration of Chicago Term continued to forge a strong bond between Knox students, Knox alumni, and the city of Chicago, combining all three into a month-long immersive experience featuring internships and experiences unique to the Windy City. Students traveled to Chicago to gain professional experience and learn the skills needed to live in and navigate a major American city.

“Chicago Term offers the best of all worlds: you have internships that are guided not only by supervisors but also by your professors who are frequently asking you what you think of the program, and providing you with a support system,” said computer science major Galgallo Waqo ’27. “It’s coordinated, so it doesn't feel like a chore or a job where you’re thrown out into the wild, and you also get that immersive experience outside of Galesburg. Then, in the evenings, you meet with everyone else and get to reflect on everyone’s day, internships, and experiences.”

This summer’s program was led by Associate Professor and Chair of Political Science Andrew Civettini, who used Knox connections to not only build internships for students, but also to provide uniquely Chicago experiences during time away from internship work.

“The internships were good; we continue working with the Knox College Office of Advancement  to find more alumni partners. I continue pushing my private contacts in Chicago to expand the number of internship partners,” Civettini said. “This year we also added Knox alumni hosting meals for students. This was exciting because we'd often get to try a unique cuisine or festival, allowing students to get a fuller experience.”

“Alumni partners have been absolutely integral; they continue to be really important and push what we can do. It’s a lot of work to put the program together, but I could not fathom doing it without the support of our amazing alumni,” Civettini added.

Thanks to the work of Civettini and the support and cooperation from alumni, the program continues to grow and embrace the Chicago-Knox connections as Chicago Term becomes another standout immersive experience. Between internships and experiences, nearly 20 alumni and several family members of Knox alumni helped support Chicago Term.

Four alumni—Dakota Stipp ’17 (Amuse Technologies), Eric Roche ’93 (Prescott School, Chicago Public Schools), Joel Willison ’20 (Pocket Theatrics), and Matt Milewski ’21 (Rock Fusco and Connelly, LLC)—offered internships. In addition, Chicago business owners and public servants hosted Knox students, including David Toledo (Contemporary Farmer, Inc.), Dulce Guzman (Alianza Americas), Autumn Williams (Urban Tables), Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward), Alderperson Maria Hadden (49th Ward), and Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward).

“I thought the internships were great,” Civettini said. “They aren’t about the content or discipline-specific knowledge; they’re really about the soft skills, including learning how to navigate transportation in a big city so you can get there on time. People had to navigate getting around, figure out their schedule, and know when they could meet with us.”

Outside of the internships, Knox students were able to visit the Chicago History Museum, go to a White Sox game, take part in a Chicago Knox Club Networking Night, and visit Shedd Aquarium. The group were also able to enjoy meals at Ambar, a Balkan restaurant, Tryzub, a modern Ukrainian restaurant, Awash Ethiopian Restaurant, and the Tacos y Tamales Festival. 

Alumni Rick ’79 and Anne Johnson Veague ’80, Eryn Matheny ’16, Ariana Tuckey ’11, Bridget Coughlin ’94, Kerry Mindeman ’01, Brynn Seibert ’01 and Kate Hall, parent of Mary Hall ’25 helped make these experiences possible.

Also integral in the success of Chicago Term were Joe ’80 and Barbara Moore, who made numerous connections for Chicago Term over the past three years, including a connection to the Vice President of Loyola University, which led to students staying at Loyola University for the duration of the term. Joe also arranged for three aldermanic internships this year. In addition, he arranged an office visit with a fourth, and a tour of the 26th Ward for the third year in a row, given by Alderperson Jessie Fuentes. 

“It’s been a ton of work, and I’m proud of it and plan to continue to do it for the foreseeable future,” Civettini said. “We have great immersive programs—Japan Term, ones during the year like Start-Up Term and Rep Term, and then we have these travel programs. It is really immersive, and I think Knox does immersion better than anywhere else. There’s a spirited commitment to immersion here because we want students to experience the world, not just learn about it.”

Students also utilized the Power of Experience Grant to help cover the cost of the immersive term. The learn-by-doing model was a highlight for students looking not only for a great academic experience, but also a professional one that prepares them for life outside of college.

“The experience was a lot of fun and gave me a greater sense of independence,” Zachary Durick ’27, a data science and environmental studies double major, said. “Living in Chicago allowed me to experience what it was like to live and work in a major city while being responsible for managing my own schedule and responsibilities. Overall, it was a really good experience that helped me become more comfortable being independent.”