A program at Knox College aimed at increasing the number of minority and low-income college graduates in the state has received a grant from the Associated Colleges of Illinois.

The $14,480 grant from the ACI's College Success Network will provide scholarships, specialized academic advising, travel to off-campus workshops, and on-campus leadership development activities.

A total of 19 Knox students are in the program during 2007-08 -- six were selected in 2006, and another 13 were selected this year.

"The students who started last year have told us that they really enjoy mentoring the new students who joined this year," said the program coordinator, LaCrystal Green, Knox's director of multicultural student advisement. At Knox, the College Success Network students also serve as volunteers for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Knox County.

According to the ACI, the retention rate is more than 90 percent for students who participated in College Success Network compared to the national average of 74 percent for students with similar backgrounds.

"Historically, Knox does the things that build graduation rates for all students -- including the accomplished first generation students that ACI is focusing on with this grant," said Knox College President Roger Taylor. "Knox is special in part because of its low student-faculty ratio, small classes, strong residential life system, and focus on understanding diversity and helping students succeed."

Two-thirds of all Knox students receive need-based financial aid. About one-third of this year's entering class are from low-income households, and one-quarter are first-generation -- the first in their families to attend college.

The ACI initiated the College Success Network in 2006 to serve 47 students on eight campuses. This year's grants have expanded it to 90 students on 13 campuses. The ACI encompasses 23 private liberal arts colleges in Illinois.

Founded in 1837, Knox is a national liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, with students from 45 states and 44 nations. Knox's "Old Main" is a National Historic Landmark and the only building remaining from the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates.