Founded in 1989 by Deborah Bial (recipient of Macarthur grant and honorary degree from Sewanee), the Posse Foundation identifies diverse high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential. Following a rigorous, multi-step Dynamic Assessment Process, Scholars are placed in groups (Posses) and matched to one of 58 selective universities. Posse schools award their scholars four-year, full-tuition leadership scholarships. Sewanee Posse Scholars come from the DC area.
The three primary goals of Posse are
- To expand the pool from which top colleges and universities can recruit outstanding young leaders from diverse backgrounds.
- To help institutions build more interactive campus environments so that they can be more welcoming for people from all backgrounds.
- To ensure that Posse Scholars persist in their academic studies and graduate so they can take on leadership positions in the workforce.
This ten minute video is an excellent introduction to the values and mission of Posse.
Sewanee’s liaison, mentors, and Dean of Admission are involved in the selection process, first by reading files of the top 20+ candidates chosen by Posse DC for our institution and second, by participating in an interactive group interview process in the DC office to narrow the pool to 10. Once selected, Scholars receive pre-collegiate training Jan.-Aug. on college readiness. Each Posse is assigned to a campus mentor who has been trained by the Posse Foundation and receives ongoing support and professional development throughout their term.
