Sierra Henry '18

For Sierra Henry '18, transferring to Knox College from her hometown community college opened doors to new perspectives and experiences. “Knox had a lasting impact on me,” she said. “I look back fondly at the school and the people that I met and the professors that I was able to study under. I continue to think of the classes I took to this day and how they influence my understanding of current issues.” 

Henry’s early interest in journalism was sparked by a seventh-grade assignment that involved interviewing her great-grandfather about his experiences during the Great Depression. “I felt really close to him through hearing his story and about what his life was like,” she explained. Realizing journalism gave her an opportunity to learn the stories of others while giving them a voice propelled Henry into this career. 

Following her graduation from Knox, Henry moved to North Carolina after accepting a position at the Goldsboro News-Argus. There, she honed her skills as a cub reporter, focusing on education and the stories of the diverse locals in Wayne County. She fondly recalls profiling a local barber named Percy who shared his experiences battling racism. “He told me about how the church ladies saw the story in the newspaper. He received a standing ovation at church, all these community members being so happy and proud of him,” she said. “To me, that was one of the most rewarding things about journalism.” 

Henry returned home to Illinois to be closer to family and joined the Pantagraph in Bloomington, where she tackled pressing social issues, from the Black Lives Matter movement to the ramifications of COVID-19 on marginalized communities. She simultaneously worked on earning a master’s degree in communications online through Johns Hopkins University. Through the skills that she developed, Henry now works as a media relations specialist for the Illinois Farm Bureau, to help farmers articulate their stories. 

Henry credits her liberal arts education at Knox for equipping her with the right tools for her career. “The small class sizes and being able to connect with my professors were really important to me and fundamental to being able to build the skills that I needed,”  she said. Her role as the co-editor of The Knox Student served a similar purpose, giving her the space to grow into a confident reporter and foster meaningful relationships with the campus community. 

Henry recently joined the Prairieland Punishers roller derby team– something she wanted to pursue after watching the movie Whip It. "It has been such a rewarding experience getting to know this incredible group of women of all ages," she said. In addition to roller derby, Henry serves on the board of trustees for the Pantagraph Goodfellow Fund, a nonprofit organization that assists families in need during the holidays, providing support for families during Thanksgiving and Christmas. This immersion within her community is important to Henry, building an enriching network to tap into and form deep ties with.