Newswise — Babson College, the first business school in the U.S. to join the Posse Program, saw all eleven of its first undergraduate Posse students graduate this spring. The Posse Foundation identifies, recruits, and trains incredible youth leaders from urban public high schools, and sends these groups as "posses" to top colleges and universities in this country. These leadership scholars who are likely to be overlooked for college admissions have a national graduation rate of 94 percent.
Eleven students from New York City entered Babson as its first Posse Program participants: Jenny Estevez, Daniel Torres, Sterling Charles, Rashida Malcolm, Nishal Jamnaprasad, Olga Brik, Betty Chen, Raul Acevedo, Luilly Andrade, Shellana Henderson, and Jolanta Brodka.
"This group of students—the first Posse to graduate from Babson—were real trailblazers in our community," according to President Brian Barefoot. "They enjoyed academic success, started or led a number of student organizations, and contributed to a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all students. I know they will be leaders in whatever careers they choose to pursue."
Harlem native, Posse member, and new Babson alumna Jenny Estevez has accepted a position in the Human Resources Department of Lehman Brothers. In a few years, she looks forward to going back to school for a master's degree.
Estevez could get anywhere in the city by subway, so she felt stranded in Wellesley at first. She called Babson her 'bubble home.' She recalls her early weeks: "It was like being on a roller-coaster with the ups and downs, and there was never a dull moment!" That changed when she had the opportunity to study in Spain. "I never thought I would be able to afford Europe. Babson made it a dream come true," Estevez said.
Using slightly different words, each of the Posse members called their four-year experience life-changing. They are grateful to Posse Foundation, to their trainers, mentors, and the Babson community with whom they shared this experience. They are also thankful for each others' support through the ups and downs; they are a 'family' now with a unique bond that will last a lifetime.
When asked if the experience met their expectations, their unanimous answer: it exceeded them!
Babson College in Wellesley, Mass., is recognized internationally as a leader in entrepreneurial management education. Babson grants BS degrees through its innovative undergraduate program, and grants MBA and custom MS and MBA degrees through the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College. Babson Executive Education offers executive development programs to experienced managers worldwide. For information, visit http://www.babson.edu.
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