51³Ô¹ÏÍø

mdbarker@knox.edu

MarQuita Barker

Vice President for Student Development

Dr. MarQuita Barker has served as the Vice President for Student Development at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø since January 2022. In this role, she serves as the senior student affairs officer and as a member of senior staff. She provides leadership for all aspects of student life including departments that are responsible for providing programs and services dedicated to student success. As Vice President, she is an advocate for holistic student learning and represents student needs across campus.
 
Prior to joining 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, Dr. Barker served in roles at Elon University in diversity education and residence life. She also held positions at Old Dominion University and Hampton University in residence life and student access, respectively.

She earned her B.S. in communications and M.S. in higher education administration from Old Dominion University. She also earned her M.B.A. from Elon University and earned her Ed.D. in leadership and learning in organizations from Vanderbilt University. She wrote her doctoral research on “Residential Colleges and Their Impact on Students’ Sense of Belonging.”

309-341-7225

dsouther@knox.edu

Deb Southern

Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students

I have served as Dean of Students at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø since March 2010 and previously served as Associate Dean of Students. In my current role I oversee student conduct, new student orientation and assist students in overcoming obstacles to their academic and personal success.

I help students be their very best academically and personally by connecting students with the best resources to help each be successful in and out of the classroom. I love my work and I enjoy working with students. My goal for each student that comes to see me is to provide each with a clear vision for what success will look like, and help each recognize steps that they can take to achieve that success.

I came to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø in 2000 and joined the Office of Student Development as Assistant Dean of Students in 2001. Before coming to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø I was Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Residence Life at Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa.

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

309-341-7862

kawilliams@knox.edu  

Kamilah Williams

Assistant Vice President for Student Development

Kamilah L. Williams is the Assistant Vice President for Student Development, overseeing Intercultural Life, International Student Services, and Interfaith Spiritual Life. Dr. Williams is a seasoned higher education professional with a career spanning over two decades in education, primarily higher education. Originally from the Quad Cities, she received a Bachelor of Arts in History from St. Ambrose University, an MBA and MA in higher education administration from the University of Arizona Global, and her Doctor of Education in higher education administration and leadership from Bradley University.

She has served in many student development roles such as director of academic support services, intercultural life, Dean of college and career readiness, and academic advising. In addition, in academic affairs roles as department chair, and faculty teaching business, and first-year liberal arts courses to prepare students for the rigor of college. A product of liberal arts education, with the liberal arts education being her first love returning to the liberal arts college experience is what brought Dr. Williams to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. "I love knowing a student holistically," said Dr. Williams. "Helping a student become the best version of themselves is why the work of student development is so important."

Some of Dr. Williams' goals are to continue building a great sense of belonging and student success for students through diversity, equity, and inclusion in the first-year experience and beyond. "My keen focus is a lot of collaboration across campus, including working closely with faculty. Every student wants to be seen, heard, and valued, and see themselves in identity. I want to ensure my office is doing our part to make sure that happens," said Dr. Williams.

Dr. Williams' office is located on the lower level of the HOPE Center. Her office hours are 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Students can reach her by scheduling an appointment, emailing her at kawilliams@knox.edu, or calling her ext. 7862 at any time.