Claremont McKenna College today announced its partnership with The Posse Foundation, a New York-based organization which identifies, recruits, and trains student leaders from urban public high schools to matriculate at top private colleges and universities. CMC is the first West Coast college or university to affiliate with the program, whose expansion into Southern California is sponsored by the Goldman Sachs Foundation.
As the first West Coast partner college, CMC will work closely with the foundation to shape and identify the cadre of potential Posse Scholars, based on academics, leadership skills, and the potential to thrive in college. Posse Scholars recommended for application will complete the CMC admission process, resulting in a final group of 10 freshmen to be awarded four-year, full-tuition leadership scholarships beginning next September. For eight months prior, Posse Scholars participate in extensive training to prepare for the rigors and expectations of college life. Since the program began, more than 90% of the 721 Posse Scholars have graduated or are currently in college.
"The partnership between The Posse Foundation and CMC is a natural one," said Pamela Gann, CMC president. "Claremont McKenna College and the Posse program share the goal of attracting and educating excellent students, future leaders who are intelligent, competitive, and vibrant. We look forward to welcoming our first Posse Scholars next year."
Said Debbie Bial, the foundation's president and founder, "We are thrilled with our new partnership with CMC, which marries our organization's missions of identifying and encouraging leadership."
The Posse Foundation currently works with high schools in New York, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles, with plans for an additional program in Washington, D.C., next year. Partner institutions include Bowdoin College, Brandeis University, Bryn Mawr College, Colby College, DePauw University, Middlebury College, and Vanderbilt University. In addition to Goldman Sachs, other major donors include Lehman Bros., Deutsche Bank, and the Citigroup Foundation.
Claremont McKenna College is a highly selective, independent liberal arts college educating leaders in business, government, and the professions. A member of The Claremont Colleges, CMC is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the nation and enrolls 1,000 students.