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Office of Communications
2 East South Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
We are a team of award-winning professionals and student employees with marketing and communications experience both in higher education and beyond. We love Knox, we love what we do, and we like to have fun, too!
Vice President for Communications and ITS
Lisa Van Riper joined Knox College in November 2020. In her role as Vice President of Communications, she leads communications strategy and implementation in collaboration with partners across campus and with the Communications team. Prior to joining Knox College, Lisa held communications leadership positions at University of Richmond and in the consumer packaged goods and services and public service sectors.
Web Content Specialist
After being with Knox College for one year, my role transferred from communications coordinator to web content specialist. Among other duties, I train and assist College web authors and publish content for the Knox website. Knox College has always been part of my background due to the many years my mother has worked here, and I am very excited to be part of such a wonderful team. I have a passion for reading, editing, and correcting my husband's grammar. I grew up in Galesburg, and live here with my husband, five children, and two dogs.
Senior Director of Creative Services and Communications
As a member of the communications team, I design and manage the production of print communications for a variety of audiences to advance the messages and brand identity of the College. Since joining the Knox staff in 1997, I have worked on many interesting projects-the most memorable being a fireproof diploma for honorary degree recipient Stephen Colbert in 2006. I'm a lifelong local resident, having grown up on the dairy farm across from Green Oaks, Knox's 700-acre biological field station in rural Knox County.
Associate Director of Digital Engagement
I joined Knox College in April 2022, after over eight years in college admission at Kalamazoo College. I tell two ongoing stories: using digital media to tell Knox's story to prospective students, their families, and support networks; and using analytical resources to tell the College how different audiences receive the stories we tell through digital media. I have two master's degrees in educational leadership and creative writing, two cats, and a ten-year enlistment in the Army National Guard that ended in 2008 with a tour in Iraq.
Communications Designer
I have close to 25 years of experience as a graphic designer, working at Knox since 2000. I like the variety of projects that working at a college offers. I mean, who wouldn't love starting their day designing a magazine layout and ending it by helping piece together a new display for the athletic building?! Even though I'm a creative type, I'm a computer geek at heart and find it very rewarding when I can figure out solutions to technical problems with software and layouts. (I do have to admit that Google is my best friend.)
I consider myself lucky that I get to work with a group of such fun and creative people.
Video Content Creator and Storyteller
I started my position at Knox in September of 2021. My focus is to create engaging, high production video content for the College. Being able to tell the stories of various faculty, staff, alumni, and current students is a highlight of this position for me. I graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts. I am fortunate to have a career in two areas I love—video production and higher education.
Content Creator and Editor
I have worked in higher education communications for more than 20 years, mostly at the University of Illinois. At Knox, I work closely with the Office of Advancement to tell the compelling stories of our alumni and donors, who help make Knox such a wonderful institution. I grew up in Peoria, received my bachelor's from Bradley, and my master's from University College Dublin, Ireland. I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco, and have lived abroad in Spain and Ireland. I love to meet and work with Knox students, who have great stories to share.
(He/Him/His)
Senior Director of Digital Initiatives, Technology Lead
James has been with Knox College since 2007 and currently leads the strategy, development, and implementation of digital materials for the Office of Communications.
Visual Media Specialist
I joined Knox College in June 2021. Being part of the communications staff, I get the unique role of telling the story through the lens and putting a face on the College. I graduated from Pittsburg State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with an emphasis in photojournalism and a master’s degree in communications. After graduation, I worked at my alma mater, then I went to Northern Iowa to be the university photographer for a new challenge and to grow as a photographer. My professional career has been devoted to higher education. I am so excited to shoot a variety of images and help tell the unique story of Knox College. I love being able to share and shape the culture of the College through photography.