Knox College's annual Fall Institute provided students with in-depth information about opportunities to help them make the most of their Knox education and work toward achieving their educational and career goals.

Classes were canceled on Fall Institute Day, October 23, to allow all students to attend a day-long series of workshops and discussions led by Knox faculty and staff and organized by the Bastian Family Center for Career & Pre-Professional Development.

Session topics included preparation for medical school, the Peace Corps Preparatory program, international study, and potential career paths for various academic majors. The day wrapped up with the Graduate & Professional School Fair (pictured above).

An added component of this year's Fall Institute was a presentation on "intergroup dialogue" -- a new initiative at Knox that involves structured conversations where people share experiences and views on complicated issues, such as race and socioeconomic status.

"The dialogues are not going to be easy," Tianna Cervantez, director of multicultural student advisement at Knox, told students at the presentation. "We're going to be challenging comfort zones, and we're going to be pushing you to your learning edges." (Photo below: Students participate in the discussion about intergroup dialogue.)

Knox College will host a workshop on intergroup dialogue in December. During the 2014 winter and spring academic terms, Knox students will be able to take an intergroup dialogue course co-taught by Cervantez.

Junior Jordan Hallman says she looks forward to attending the workshop because she hopes it will help her gain a better understanding of herself and develop skills she can apply while pursuing a career in community development and public policy.

"I've had a diverse experience growing up," she said. "I'm bi-racial, but most people don't see that when they first see me. I'm labeled as ‘black,' so I've always kind of struggled with the concept of being both black and white and ... trying to navigate how that fits into my identity as a person."

At the Graduate & Professional School Fair, Knox students were able to visit representatives from dozens of institutions and explore further educational opportunities.

Senior Catie Peck, for example, attended the event because she is considering pursuing a master's degree in library sciences and a doctorate in musicology.

"I have a general idea of what I want to do, but nothing specific yet," she said. "Narrowing it down is part of the process."