Center for Intercultural Engagement
Posse Mentor
Posse students at Oberlin College and Conservatory succeed in part because they have mentors who are deeply invested in their growth and development. Posse Mentors are typically tenured faculty members who serve as dedicated sources of guidance and support throughout a Scholar’s time at Oberlin. They motivate their Posse Scholars, help them navigate academic and social challenges, and intentionally connect them with campus resources and support systems.
To learn more about the Posse Mentor experience and its impact on Posse Scholars, please view the Posse Mentor Report conducted by Posse in 2014.
Mentors are paired with each cohort of students to assist with their transition to and through Oberlin. Throughout their tenure as mentors, they are expected to complete the following tasks:
Weekly Group Meetings
All cohort Posse Scholars meet weekly for a two-hour session guided by the Posse curriculum. Mentors may adjust activities as needed to support students’ transition to campus culture.
Bi-Weekly One-on-One Meetings
Each mentor meets with their Posse Scholars every two weeks to ensure they receive intentional support during their transition to campus and to help them navigate the academic, social, and cultural aspects of their matriculation at Oberlin.
Weekly/Bi-Weekly Posse Trainer Calls
Posse Chicago and Posse Houston maintain regular communication with campus Posse Mentors to discuss student progress and emerging concerns. These conversations also inform the monthly meetings Posse Trainers hold with the Posse Liaison, helping to address broader systemic issues.
After their third year, Posse Mentors continue to serve as a resource for third- and fourth-year Scholars. Although meetings are no longer held on a set schedule, it remains important for mentors to maintain relationships with these students and continue providing advocacy and support as needed.
Throughout a Posse Scholar’s entire time on campus, Posse Mentors are expected to participate in the following:
Monthly Meetings with the Posse Liaison
All Posse Mentors meet monthly with the Posse Liaison to discuss Scholar needs, concerns, and overall progress.
Social and Community-Building Activities
Once each semester, mentors participate in social events such as dinners (on or off campus) or other cohort-building activities.
All Posse Campus Visits and Big Posse Meetings
Mentors attend all Big Posse Meetings held during the fall and spring semesters, as well as all-campus Posse visits.
PossePlus Retreat (PPR)
Mentors attend the annual PossePlus Retreat held each February during the early spring semester.
Commencement Reception
Mentors attend the annual Posse Commencement reception celebrating graduating Posse Scholars.
To ensure new Posse Mentors are properly prepared, participation in the following training opportunities is required:
New Mentor Training
Mandatory training for all new Posse Mentors, held in New York City in June.
Retreat with New Scholars
First-year mentors attend a Posse Retreat with new Scholars in Chicago or Houston during June or July.
On-Campus Training
Ongoing training and support provided as needed throughout the academic year.
To be considered for a Posse Mentor role, it is essential to understand the four-year commitment outlined above. Maintaining continuity and presence throughout the Scholars’ time on campus is crucial to providing consistent support. Posse Mentors are typically tenured faculty members; however, non-tenured, tenure-track faculty, or senior administrators may also be considered. In all cases, individuals serving in this role must be able to commit fully to the four-year Posse experience.
Before submitting your name for consideration, please ensure that you have discussed this commitment with your department head and/or supervisor to confirm that the responsibilities align with your current workload.
If you have additional questions, please contact Kyle R. Williams via email.
To express your interest, please fill out the following form.