Access Reports
An Interview with Debbie Bial, President and Founder of the Posse Foundation
Debbie Bial
The Fund: Tell us a little bit about the Posse Foundation.
Debbie Bial: This story is true. Posse started because of one student who said he never would have dropped out of college if he had his “posse” (group of friends) with him. That simple cohort concept became the core component of a program that today has developed into one of the most comprehensive youth leadership development and college access programs in the United States.
Since 1989, Posse has identified over 1,200 Scholars. These students have won more than $112 million in leadership scholarships from Posse's partner colleges and are persisting and graduating at a rate of 90%. Posse works to help connect outstanding young people to great colleges and then helps those colleges create what we call a more integrated environment of diversity on campus.
The Fund: What do you think is the biggest obstacle preventing promising students from going to college?
Debbie Bial: Too many of our public high schools lack resources and are underperforming. This puts so many young people at a disadvantage. In addition, I think that admissions deans can go into any high school and know how to spot a young person with potential and talent. But these admissions deans do not always have the time and/or luxury to reach out to the huge numbers of high schools that exist in this country. Posse works to expand the pool from which top colleges can find outstanding candidates.
The Fund: In your opinion, what role can secondary and postsecondary schools play in helping to broaden access for more students?
Debbie Bial: Join Posse.
The Fund: What do you find most fulfilling about your efforts with Posse?
Debbie Bial: To be honest with you, Posse is a program that allows us to see incredible outcomes. Each year we recruit a certain number of young people. And each year we see our Scholars graduate. Posse's alumni numbers are growing. Within the next 15 years, Posse will have over 7,000 alumni in the workforce. They will be the doctors, the lawyers, the teachers, the politicians, the social workers. They will take their phenomenal leadership talent and the education they received from top colleges they attended and truly contribute to this world. That's pretty satisfying to watch.
The Fund: How much do you collaborate with other non-profit outreach organizations in your outreach efforts?
Debbie Bial: Posse would not work without the tremendous commitment from its partner institutions of higher education. These colleges and universities dedicate full tuition, leadership scholarships to every Posse Scholar. They work closely with the Posse Foundation as true partners to ensure the success of the program. And they are vocal in the higher ed community, advocating for what works in diversity initiatives.
In addition, Posse develops relationships with community based organizations and high schools in each of the cities in which it works. These CBOs and high schools nominate students each year to be considered for the scholarships. They are critical in helping us to identify Posse Scholars. This past year more than 5,500 students were nominated nationally for 270 slots.
The Fund: Tell us about The Sallie Mae Fund's involvement with Posse.
Debbie Bial: The Sallie Mae Fund has been one of Posse's most significant supporters. With The Sallie Mae Fund's $1 million grant, Posse was able to launch its fifth site in Washington D.C. in March 2004. This allowed the Posse Foundation to bring its program to D.C. metro area high school students. The first two Posses were selected in D.C. this past fall. They will be going to Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and Grinnell College in Iowa this August.
But Sallie Mae also did something no other funder had done before for Posse. The Sallie Mae Fund awarded a dollar-for-dollar, $5 million challenge grant for endowment. The Posse Foundation is $1 million short of meeting this challenge and by June of 2006 hopes to have a $10 million endowment. This will help ensure the longevity of the program.
Learn more about The Posse Foundation.
