By Elisabeth Zarnoti '17

Knox students learned about various community service opportunities available to them during  a Work That Matters conference.

Speakers from Peace Corps, KnoxCorps, and ISACorps (Illinois Student Assistance) discussed daily duties of their volunteer positions, and answered student questions.

Returned Peace Corps volunteers Ella Lehmann, Lexi Woodward, and Daniel Ramirez spoke about their experiences in Ethiopia, Nicaragua, and Benin. They said serving in Peace Corps helped them improve their second-language skills and gave them a sense of purpose.

Lehmann encouraged students at the conference to "do whatever you want to do" in order to serve others in the world.

Knox student Tyler Steinmann '15, an international relations major, was interested in joining the Peace Corps, and was excited to get as much information as possible about the program to prepare for its challenges and rewards. "I hope to better understand communities and the government system in future work," he said.

Steinmann talked about the influence of his academic studies at Knox, and how joining the Peace Corps will prepare him for a new world after graduation.

KnoxCorps, a program co-sponsored by Knox College and the Galesburg Community Foundation, was also discussed at length in the conference. KnoxCorps allows current students and graduates of Knox to partner with community organizations in Galesburg.

Two current KnoxCorps participants, Marta Schneider '14 and Kristine Ilagen '14, talked about their fellowships. Schneider  is a Human Links Foundation Follow serving in the Sustainable Business Center. "You learn a lot about yourself," she noted.

Illagen is an F&M Bank Fellow who serves at  Discovery Depot Children's Museum. She sees KnoxCorps participants as the liaison between the Knox community and Galesburg Community. She creates programs for youth to encourage healthy living through gardening and exercise.

Students who participated in the conference were interested in the programs, and many hope to become participants in the near future.

Liz Rivera '17, a psychology and anthropology-sociology double major, talked about the professional benefits behind a KnoxCorps fellowship and involvement in service. "It helps you prepare for life after college," she said.

Another student, Philip Shelley '18, is interested in the international aspect of living and working in a different country with the Peace Corps. He saw KnoxCorps as a "way for people to get involved in Galesburg Community."