Posse Mentors are an essential staple to the overall experience of posse scholars. Posse Mentors are faculty, staff, and community members of Sewanee who all deeply care for their scholar cohort.
Sibby Anderson Thompkins
Posse Liaison
Job Title: Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Why I became a Liason: When I first arrived on campus in September of 2021, I noticed that colleagues were constantly introducing me to students leaders--who were also Posse Scholars. Similarly, I would be having conversations or meeting with colleagues or students and a Posse Scholar's name would pop up as an example of a student leader I needed to know. I didn't hesitate to accept the invitation to serve as the Posse Liaison. I'm honored to support the amazing students who are part of the Sewanee Posse Family.
Fun Fact: As a student, I completed a study abroad in Johannesburg, South Africa!
Doug Drinen
Mentor of Posse 13 and Posse 16
Job Title: Associate Professor of Math and Computer Science
Why I became a Mentor: The older I get, the more I realize that mentoring is the part of my job that I most enjoy.
Fun Fact: I am a huge fan of those floppy inflatable guys you see outside car dealerships and whatnot. They bring me joy for reasons I don't really understand.
Sid Brown
Mentor of Posse 15 and Posse 17
Job Title: Professor of Religious Studies
Why I became a Mentor: I enjoy working with teams to improve whatever institution I'm a part of, and the POSSE scholars here form an important and effective team for changes in the right direction at Sewanee. Becoming a POSSE mentor also promised me the opportunity to get to know student leaders as they began their college learning, so I would not only get to know them very well and work with them for important change, but also I'd be able to learn their first impressions of this college. I love working with POSSE 15, each scholar intelligent, creative, and engaged in different ways.
Fun Fact: Since 1983, I have aimed to walk or bike any distance under 5 miles--an environmentally-focused practice that daily informs how I see the world.
Rachel Fredericks
MENTOR OF POSSE 14 AND POSSE 18
Job Title: Director of Inclusive Excellence
Why I became a Mentor: I became a Posse mentor in hopes of being a glimmer of light, hope, and love in the lives of our students as they work to grow into the amazing people that they are to become. It is my desire to carry forward the legacy of those who poured into me as an undergrad student so generational wisdom is not lost.
