Debra Southern Named Dean of Students

Knox College has appointed Debra A. Southern to the position of Dean of Students. She succeeds Xavier Romano, who resigned in June. Southern previously served as Associate Dean of Students.

Southern came to Knox in 2000 and joined the Office of Student Development as Assistant Dean of Students in 2001. Before coming to Knox she was assistant dean of students and director of residence life at Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa.

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

Southern is a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.

Founded in 1837, Knox is a national liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, with students from 45 states and 48 countries. Knox's "Old Main" is a National Historic Landmark and the only building remaining from the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates.