Posse Chicago Celebrates Graduates
This past June, Posse Chicago welcomed its class of 2023 graduates into the Posse Alumni Network at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, a Career Program partner. New alumni were celebrated by Posse Chicago staff and fellow alumni at the annual induction event. The night served as the graduates’ formal induction into the Posse Alumni Network—connecting them to more than 7,000 alumni nationwide who have shared the Posse experience and who are incredible leaders in the workforce and in their communities.
“The power of Posse extends well beyond college. Anytime you move to a new city, are looking for a job, or just need advice, Posse alumni have your back."
Brigid Carmichael, Grinnell College Alum
As part of the ceremony, Posse National Alumni Advisory Council (PNAAC) Chicago representatives Brenda Benitez and Brigid Carmichael, themselves alumni of Pomona College and Grinnell College, welcomed the new Posse graduates into the community of Posse graduates around the country.
“The power of Posse extends well beyond the four years of college,” said Brigid. “Anytime you move to a new city, are looking for a job, or just need advice, Posse alumni have your back.”
Featured speaker and Trinity College alumna Amber Townsend, who is the inaugural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lead at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University and a Master of Business Administration student at Loyola University Chicago, shared advice about entering a post-graduation journey and reflected on the strength of the Posse alumni community.
“Cultivate your life the way you want it to be, be the first, go where you are valued, give yourself space to learn, and celebrate yourself. And stay in touch with Posse,” said Amber in her keynote address. “You are now part of an incredible network of people who want you to be successful. Lean into that network, develop those relationships, and utilize the resources available to you.”
Reflecting on her experience at the alumni induction ceremony, Amber says that being at the event reminded her of how much she enjoys being a member of the Posse community, in part because of the warmth and love she received from everyone that came out to celebrate.
“What I saw that night in that space, how the new graduates and alumni were treating each other and giving words of encouragement, it made me think, ‘This is what leadership is!’ They are changing the face of leadership, and I want to work with them,’” says Amber.
