A PROFILE OF THE POSSE SCHOLARS IN THE CLASSES OF 2013-2025
Between fall 2009 and fall 2021, 161 students have enrolled in Connecticut College under the Posse program. Until fall 2020, our incoming Posses were typically around 10 students, but with the addition of a second Connecticut College Posse last year, about 20 new Posse scholars are expected to matriculate each year. The gender balance of Posse scholars has been very even—53 percent female and 47 percent male—in the first 13 Posses. Posse students’ race and ethnicity have primarily been either Hispanic/Latino (50 percent) or Black/African American (32 percent).
The overall four-year graduation rate for Posse scholars in the five most recent graduating classes (Classes of 2017-2021) was 90 percent, which was substantially higher than the rates for U.S. students of color who were not in the Posse program (76 percent) and for all Connecticut College students (78 percent) in the same time frame. The five-year graduation rate for Posse scholars in the 2017-2020 cohorts was 98 percent, compared with 81 percent for non-Posse scholars.
As of May 2021, 90 Posse scholars have graduated from Connecticut College. Sixty-seven students had one major, and 23 students (26 percent) were double-majors, making for 113 completed majors. The most popular majors for Posse graduates have been Psychology, Sociology, Economics, Government, Africana Studies, Computer Science, History, Anthropology, Latin American Studies, Biological Sciences, Hispanic Studies, and Theater.
In addition to their majors, 20 Posse graduates have completed Center certificates – 13 through the Holleran Center’s Program in Community Action (PICA), 4 from the Toor Cummings Center for International Study and the Liberal Arts (CISLA), 2 from the Ammerman Center for Arts and Technology, and 1 through the Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment. Five students have earned Connecticut teacher certification. Four Posse scholars have been awarded the Anna Lord Strauss medal, awarded annually to a graduating senior who has done outstanding work in public or community service, including service to the College.
Compiled by the Office of Institutional Research and Planning, August 2021