mdbarker@knox.edu

MarQuita Barker

Vice President for Student Development

Dr. MarQuita Barker has served as the Vice President for Student Development at Knox College since January 2022. In this role, she serves as the senior student affairs officer and as a member of senior staff. She provides leadership for all aspects of student life including departments that are responsible for providing programs and services dedicated to student success. As Vice President, she is an advocate for holistic student learning and represents student needs across campus.
 
Prior to joining Knox, Dr. Barker served in roles at Elon University in diversity education and residence life. She also held positions at Old Dominion University and Hampton University in residence life and student access, respectively.

She earned her B.S. in communications and M.S. in higher education administration from Old Dominion University. She also earned her M.B.A. from Elon University and earned her Ed.D. in leadership and learning in organizations from Vanderbilt University. She wrote her doctoral research on “Residential Colleges and Their Impact on Students’ Sense of Belonging.”

309-341-7225

dsouther@knox.edu

Deb Southern

Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students

I have served as Dean of Students at Knox College since March 2010 and previously served as Associate Dean of Students. In my current role I oversee student conduct, new student orientation and assist students in overcoming obstacles to their academic and personal success.

I help students be their very best academically and personally by connecting students with the best resources to help each be successful in and out of the classroom. I love my work and I enjoy working with students. My goal for each student that comes to see me is to provide each with a clear vision for what success will look like, and help each recognize steps that they can take to achieve that success.

I came to Knox in 2000 and joined the Office of Student Development as Assistant Dean of Students in 2001. Before coming to Knox I was Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Residence Life at Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa.

I earned a bachelor's degree in political science at Illinois Wesleyan University, where I also worked as a residence hall director and a summer conference coordinator and later an assistant director of summer conferences. I received a master's degree in higher education administration at the University of Iowa.

309-341-7676

csouther@knox.edu

Craig Southern

Assistant Dean for the First Year Experience

I have served as a member of the Student Development staff at Knox College since July 2000. I currently serve as the Student Support Specialist. I previously served as Associate Dean of Students for Campus Life. In my current role I proactively meet with first year students to reflect on their time at Knox; to reinforce how and when to access campus resources; to explore the realities of balance and time management; and to assist first year students in remedying issues that interfere with their academic and personal success. 

In addition, I partner with Academic Affairs to provide support to all students who are in academic difficulty. Students who are on academic probation will meet with me regularly to develop strategies, routines and plans for academic success. Helping students develop personalized strategies that allow for their success at Knox is fundamental to my work. 

Before coming to Knox I was Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Residence Life at Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa. I earned a bachelor's degree in 1985 at Illinois Wesleyan University, where I also worked as a residence hall director and summer conference coordinator. I received a master's degree in 1990 from Illinois State University in Speech Communication and have also studied higher education administration at the University of Iowa.

I am a member of the Galesburg Community Choir and work as a clock operator at Knox home football games. I enjoy books, movies, and sports.

309-341-7863

Kristi Mustain

Executive Assistant for Office of Student Development