Dickinson Alum Becomes First International Posse Graduate

In 2022, Dickinson College alum Cecilia Ribordy became the first Posse graduate to enroll at St. Edmund’s College at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, Posse’s first international graduate school affiliate. Last year, Cecilia marked another milestone as the first Posse alum to graduate from the elite institution, earning her master’s in Anthropocene studies.

Cecilia’s academic journey has been marked by a dedication to understanding the intricate relationship between humans and the environment.

In an interview for St. Edmunds, she reflected: I grew up in a rural region of Brazil known as the Atlantic rainforest before moving to the US aged 16. It was my childhood in Brazil that really inspired me to study Environmental and Latin American Studies at the undergraduate level, and thanks to Posse, I was able to pursue my passion for environmental studies.

Posse has opened doors for me, facilitated my growth, and been a system of support through challenges.

At Cambridge, Cecilia delved deep into the complexities of the Anthropocene era, focusing on how human activities have shaped and altered the environment on a global scale. Her research encompassed a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from climate change impacts to sustainable development initiatives. Cecilia’s interdisciplinary approach to Anthropocene Studies allowed her to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities inherent in addressing environmental issues. She plans to use her degree to serve environmental causes in her home country of Brazil.

Cecilia’s list of honors and awards over the course of her college career include winning a Jeff Ubben Posse Fellowship while at Dickinson. The prestigious award is given to five exceptional Posse Scholars each year and provides a summer internship with a major industry leader and a $10,000 grant. The coveted fellowship provided Cecilia with additional resources to succeed in her studies.

Cecilia credits Posse with playing a pivotal role in her academic and personal development. She attributes her success to the Foundation’s unwavering support, describing it as a "bridge between worlds" that has connected her across countries and continents.

She says, “Posse has opened doors for me, facilitated my growth, and been a system of support through challenges."