Meet the Staff
Stephanie Grimes
Director of Disability Support Services
Stephanie received her B.A. in sociology/psychology (concentration in rehabilitation counseling) from Wilberforce University and her M.Ed in rehabilitation counseling from Kent State University. Under Stephanie’s leadership, disability support services has grown from serving 50 students per year to upwards of 250 students per year in the provision of academic and residential accommodations and academic programming. Stephanie has over 40 years of experience working in the disability services field and has provided leadership in federal, state, and local organizations. She has been a disability speaker at professional conferences in Illinois, Virginia, Florida, and Tennessee. She is passionate about her work and advocates for disability rights and inclusion.
Stephanie is a board member of the Knox County Health Department and the Galesburg Public Transportation Advisory Commission. She enjoys reading and traveling with her family whenever possible.
Kari Fischer
Assistant Director of Disability Support Services
Kari has over two years of service at Knox, serving in the Dean’s Office and Seymour Library. She holds a master’s degree in Recreational Therapy and is a certified Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator. Kari has been supporting students with disabilities since 2008. Her work began in the public sector, providing inclusive and accessible nature educational programming. She also has accumulated another decade of experience in clinical and classroom settings. She is passionate about her work in disability advocacy and inclusiveness on campus. Kari looks forward most to working directly with students and helping them discover their own journey.
Patricia Harden
Assistant Director of Disability Support Services
Patricia (Trisha) Harden holds a Master’s Degree in Instructional Design and Technology, along with a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies with a focus in Psychology. She also earned two Associate Degrees from Carl Sandburg College in Computer Information Systems and General Studies and holds certificates in Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP).
With more than 23 years of higher education experience, Trisha applies her background in technology, operations, and student services to her role in advancing accessibility and inclusion. She uses data systems and instructional tools to improve service delivery, streamline accommodation processes, and enhance student engagement. Her leadership in staff development, process improvement, and cross-departmental collaboration reflects her commitment to creating equitable learning environments. Trisha is dedicated to supporting students through individualized services and leveraging technology to remove barriers to learning.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, long walks, and couponing.