Delmarva Education Foundation Welcomes Knott As Executive Director

The board of directors of the Delmarva Education Foundation has selected Rota L. Knott to serve as its new executive director. Knott began work in her new capacity on Monday, July 23, replacing Katherine A. Harting, who has retired from the position. DEF is a nonprofit organization that helps residents of Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties find money to continue their education. Its mission is to improve college access and success for residents of the lower Delmarva Peninsula.

“We are excited about the experience and talent that Rota Knott brings to DEF and at the same time we will miss Kat Harting's strong leadership,” said Michael Pennington, board president, adding, “Fortunately, Ms. Harting has agreed to continue to support DEF as a volunteer, so we will be getting the best possible outcome that could be expected from this change.”

Knott has been a resident of the Lower Shore for more than two decades and now lives in Salisbury. A graduate of Salisbury State University with a degree in communications, she has extensive experience working with nonprofit organizations. Knott comes to DEF from Women Supporting Women, a breast cancer support and awareness organization; she previously worked for Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County as the ReStore manager. Knott's commitment to nonprofits over the years has included involvement as an employee, volunteer and board member. A long-time journalist, she has also worked for several local and regional publications.

“I look forward to furthering DEF’s mission by building on the strong foundation already in place and expanding our reach in the three lower counties,” Knott said. “As a recipient of scholarships and grants that covered the cost of my college education, I know firsthand how important such assistance can be to the college-bound."

For more than a decade, DEF’s trained college access advisors have provided assistance to individuals, families and groups on a wide range of topics relating to post-secondary education. DEF maintains two free, online, searchable databases to assist the community; one describes educational opportunities, while the other helps students find funding to pursue their field of choice. The DEF Scholarship Fair, planned for its second year this coming January, provides a clearinghouse of scholarship opportunities for local students. Through its College Access Program, DEF provides one-on-one and group advising at its office in Salisbury, via its website, over the phone, in schools and in the community. Through special events, such as the Scholarship Sponsors Forum and the Counselors Roundtable, DEF provides opportunities for stakeholders to explore best practices, make connections, develop new ideas and find solutions that support the organization’s mission.

DEF is funded through community support, donations and grants; all funding is returned directly to the local community through DEF’s programs and services. To learn more about DEF or to contact Knott, email rknott@delmarvaed.org, call 410-219-3336, visit the Salisbury office at 1320 Belmont Ave., Suite 403-B, Salisbury, MD 21804, or see www.delmarvaed.org