Knox College
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Notice of Non-Discrimination In keeping with its commitment to equal rights since it was founded in 1837, Knox College particularly welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups. Knox College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, religion or religious affiliation, sexual orientation or preference, age, marital or family status, disability, veteran status, or other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law in admission, financial aid, employment, athletics, or any other aspect of its educational programs or activities. In addition, Knox College is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its accompanying regulations from so discriminating on the basis of sex.

If an individual becomes aware of discrimination or harassment in violation of stated policies, they must immediately report the matter to the Office of Human Resources. The College will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all complaints of harassment or discrimination, following stated Investigation Procedures. A team of College officials serves as the Bias Incident Response Team, responsible for coordinating any alleged or suspected violations of bias and the resolution of such alleged bias or suspected violations. The Bias Incident Response Team is composed of: Associate Dean of the College, Dean of Students, Director of Campus Safety, Director of Human Resources, and Title IX Coordinator. Depending on the nature of the alleged incident and whether the parties involved are faculty, staff, students, contractors, visitors or guests, the specific individuals responsible for addressing and resolving the incident may vary. In all cases, the procedures will include the basic elements outlined below: • Initial assessment by the Bias Response Team • Interim measures and remedies where appropriate • Consideration of voluntary resolution, where appropriate • Investigation and resolution if voluntary resolution is not appropriate • Sanctioning by the appropriate College official • Resource to the appropriate appeal process • Protection from retaliation

Students - One example is the Gale Scholar program, which is a collaborative partnership between Knox, the local school district, (Galesburg District 205) and the area community college (Carl Sandburg College), created to encourage and support higher education aspirations and success in the target population of academically promising first-generation and income eligible youth within District 205. Staff - job postings are posted at sites that cater to underrepresented groups. Faculty - Through the Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM), Knox participates in activities aimed at recruiting faculty from underrepresented groups. In addition Knox has sent faculty who are doing searches to hiring and diversity workshops.

The Center for Intercultural Life (CIL) contributes to the College's goal of creating an inclusive campus community by acknowledging and celebrating the diverse experience of our students, faculty and staff. The CIL strives to: a) Create a supportive campus environment for members of historically disadvantaged backgrounds; b) Facilitate programming and activities that celebrate and share the rich cultures of the students, staff, and faculty that make up our community; and c) Foster discourse designed to effect positive change by challenging injustice such as social inequities and other forms of oppression. The TRIO Achievement Program supports the retention and graduation of students from modest income backgrounds and those whose parents do not have a four-year college degree. Students with documented disabilities may also participate in the TRIO Achievement Program. TRIO staff are trained to assist students with all aspects of the student experience -- personal, financial, academic, cultural, and more. The SPARK program, a support program to TRIO, is a 10 day bridge program immediately preceding the start of fall classes and serves a particular group of eligible first-year students, giving them an in-depth preview of how a liberal arts college "works". The over-arching goal of SPARK, both during the bridge portion and throughout the subsequent academic year, is to help these students realize that they belong at and can truly succeed at Knox College. We want to keep them, and we want to help them succeed. The International Student Support Office is responsible for the recruitment, transition and retention of our international student population. The staff work in collaboration with the other areas of campus to provide a pre-orientation program to ease an international student's transition to living and studying in the United States as well as other programs throughout the year. Knox College also has several cultural centers/houses, which celebrate diversity and create healthy meeting places: ABLE Center for Black Culture; Casa Latina Culture Center; Asian Culture House; Harambee House; International House; Queer & Allies (Q&A) House; and Human Rights Center.

Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: The McNair Scholars Program is a federal TRIO program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. It is designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. McNair participants are either first-generation college students with financial need, or members of a group that is traditionally underrepresented in graduate education and have demonstrated strong academic potential. The goal of the McNair Scholars Program is to increase graduate degree awards for students from underrepresented segments of society. Each year, the McNair Program selects 10 sophomores who work with faculty mentors through their senior year to develop academic and research projects. As a McNair scholar, the program prepares you for graduate and doctoral studies and encourages you to explore research-intensive careers, including academia and working at the highest levels of science and technology. Since Knox joined the program in 1992, 42% of participating students have earned top degrees in their fields, including the MFA and Ph.D. The success rate of our students in earning these degrees, which are typically required for academic and research-based careers, is more than twice the minimum completion rate of 20% that is expected by the federal government. Knox is one of just 200 colleges and universities in the McNair Program and one of the first small liberal arts colleges in the nation selected for the initiative. Graduate School Exploration Fellowships: The Graduate School Exploration Fellowships (GSEF) program is designed for students interested in pursuing study and research in the humanities, humanistic social sciences, and arts. Fellows gain mentoring, career development, and experiential research opportunities beginning in the fall of their junior year. The GSEF program is one of three main components of the Undergraduate and Faculty Fellows Program for a Diverse Professoriate. It is supported by an $8.1 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to create new opportunities for collaboration between undergraduate and graduate programs at the 14 liberal arts colleges in the ACM and 15 research universities in the Big Ten Academic Alliance.

McNair Scholars Program: https://www.knox.edu/offices/academic-affairs/mcnair-scholars-program Center for Intercultural Life: https://www.knox.edu/offices/center-for-intercultural-life