lkvanriper@knox.edu

Lisa Van Riper

Executive Director of Communications

Lisa Van Riper joined Knox College in November 2020 as Executive Director of Communications. In her role, 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.

sbeem@knox.edu

Sam Beem

Digital Marketing and Communications Specialist

I do a little bit of everything for the office. I create written content for the College’s webpage, produce videos for our Youtube and social media, conduct analytics and market research, and address any general digital marketing needs we might have. I’m a recent Knox alumnus who majored in anthropology and sociology as well as music. After transferring from a state school my sophomore year, I found a true sense of belonging and community at Knox; I'm forever grateful for that. I’m so honored to be a part of this exceptional team, and I’m also very grateful for all of the skills I’ve learned from its members. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Knox!

309-341-7991

pachozen@knox.edu

Pam Chozen

Associate Director of Communications

I develop marketing content and strategy for the College and serve as editor of Knox Magazine. I am a fan of statistically improbable phrases, the serial comma, and lists with precisely three items.

309-341-7650

acolindr@knox.edu

Adriana Colindres

College Writer/Editor

My main work involves writing articles about the cool people at Knox and the things they do, along with managing several of the College's social media accounts -- primarily Facebook and Twitter. One of the best parts of my job is collaborating with our office's student workers who write articles and social media posts. The articles we write appear on various Knox outlets, including the website and Knox Magazine.

Before joining Knox in 2010, I worked as a journalist for many years and spent much of that time covering Illinois state government for a chain of daily newspapers.

309-341-7567

brcunningham@knox.edu

Brea Cunningham

Visual Media Producer

I’m one of those perpetual life learners who enjoys the ever-changing trends in digital media (which is why I now have a B.A. in telecommunications and an M.S. in cinema production). My job varies on the daily, from producing video and photo content to managing Knox’s presence on Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube. I have a knack for teaching and love working with and developing my Video Corps team. My personal statement regarding video production is to maintain a balance between creativity and purpose to create inspiration pieces—and working at Knox gives me the opportunity to do this nearly every day. If you see me around campus, stop and say hi and pose for a photo. I’d love to hear your story too.

309-341-7337

smdean@knox.edu

Sarah Dean

Web Content Specialist

After being with Knox College for one year, my roll transfered 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.

309-341-7716

rshale@knox.edu

Becky Hale

Director of Creative Services

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.

309-341-7713

ajontz@knox.edu

Ami Jontz

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.

309-341-7234

jstevens@knox.edu

James C. Stevens, Jr.

Director of Web Initiatives

I develop the College's primary web assets and integrations with other digital communications partners. It is great working with a team who has made it a priority to push the boundaries of current technologies. Having re-developed the College website twice now, it is always fun to see where we are headed next.