From Hill Scholars to Posse Scholars

By Anika Thakkar

Seniors Kristen Farhat and Emma Dinolfo were nominated to apply for the Posse Scholarship in late June of 2022. Three interviews, five essays and eight months later, these students are now committed to two top liberal arts schools with full-tuition leadership scholarships. The girls join a Hill legacy of Posse Scholars ‒ there have been eight Hill graduates who have received this scholarship in the past 13 years.

The Posse Foundation is a non-profit organization that was established in 1989 with the mission of identifying, recruiting and training talented young people from diverse backgrounds and sending them in groups, known as “posses,” to top colleges and universities across the country. The foundation provides a comprehensive support system to these students, including mentorship, academic support, and leadership development, to ensure their success and help them become the next generation of leaders in their communities.

The Posse Foundation's program has several components that work together to support students in their journey to college success. The first component is the selection process, where talented students are identified through a rigorous and competitive application process. These students then go through a three-part dynamic group interview process, where they are evaluated on their leadership potential and ability to work well in a group setting.

Once selected, students enter the precollegiate training (PCT) program, which prepares them for the academic and social challenges they will face in college. This program includes leadership development activities, workshops, and academic support to help students transition smoothly to college life.

In college, students are part of a closeknit support network, consisting of their Posse peers and alumni, as well as faculty and staff at their colleges and universities.

The Posse Foundation also provides ongoing support and resources to help students persist and succeed in college and beyond. This comprehensive approach to college success has been proven to increase the graduation rates and success of Posse Scholars.

This fall, Emma Dinolfo will be studying at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, as a biochemistry major on the pre-med track. Emma meets with her posse, a group of 10 future Lafayette students, every Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m.

“Not only will I be receiving a full tuition scholarship to Lafayette College,” said Emma, “but I will be surrounded by an incredibly supportive network of people, nationwide, for the entirety of my professional career.”

Kristen Farhat will be attending Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut, majoring in economics with a minor in finance.

“The Posse meetings have been really fun,” said Kristen. “It is always great to meet new people and that's what the early Posse meetings are all about.”

Kristen meets with her Connecticut College posse, a dynamic group of 11 students, every Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. “It's really enriching to be around people who come from all different backgrounds who bring many different experiences to the table,” Kristen continued. “I love finding similarities in the diversity of our group as well as learning and benefitting from our differences.”

Kristen is interested in pursuing a law degree after undergraduate school, and she feels Posse will help her achieve her goals. “I know Posse's career, alumni, and internship networks provide tremendous help for future aspirations like mine.” Aside from the academic and career related opportunities Posse provides, Kristen is excited to embark on this journey with her fellow Posse Scholars.

“I look forward to forming new relationships and being able to trust and be trusted in a group of great people.”