Bonner Leader Program

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Are you an advocate? A curious citizen? Ready to make an impact?

At Wilkes, you will be a changemaker and a leader when you join the Bonner Leader program!

If you have a passion for public service and a desire to be a positive force in your community, Wilkes University’s Bonner Leader program can help you build the skills you need to lead the charge for change. Inspired by the motto "Access to Education, Opportunity to Serve," Bonner alumni share their talents on a local, national, and global level.

This unique work-study experience blends community service with enrichment and development activities. The program provides financial support for your undergraduate education and promotes:

Leadership
Self-awareness
Professional skills

You’ll join a nationally acclaimed, service-based initiative. From its introduction by the Bonner Foundation in 1990, the Bonner Leader Program has grown to a multi-faceted civic engagement and leadership program hosted by a network of more than 70 colleges and universities. Wilkes University is the only school in NEPA to provide this opportunity.

How to Apply

The application window for 2024 is currently closed. We will begin accepting applications for fall 2025 beginning in January 2025.

Each year, the University will select only eight to ten incoming first-year students via a competitive application process. You must be admitted to Wilkes University to apply.
Deadline to apply is the spring prior to your first semester at Wilkes.
Finalists will be invited for an interview with the selection committee that will take place on campus or via Zoom. Students selected into the program will be notified shortly thereafter.

Being a Bonner Leader

Requirements

Wilkes University seeks diverse applicants who want to make their corner of the world a better place.

You may be eligible for the Wilkes Bonner Leader program if you...

Possess a fierce desire to change the world.
Demonstrate active service involvement in your high school or community.
Will be an incoming first-year student in the fall semester.
Have submitted a FAFSA to Wilkes University.
Are eligible for a federal work-study award and demonstrate financial need.

Preference will be given to...

Those with high school grade-point average of 2.75 and above.
Individuals from diverse backgrounds, including first generation college students.
Recipients of Wilkes University Colonel Emerging Leader Award.

Benefits

The Bonner Leader program offers transformative advantages to you, the Wilkes campus and the surrounding area.

Students who are accepted into the Bonner Leader program will qualify for a Bonner Scholarship of $2,000/year. This will be distributed at the beginning of each semester ($1,000/semester).
Earn work-study pay for eight to 10 hours of program service, training and reflection each week.
Gain valuable work experience, leadership skills and career insight by engaging in progressively more challenging and meaningful training and community service activities.
Develop an appreciation for experiences of those different from you.
Become an essential part of peer and staff support that cultivates a stronger sense of belonging on campus.
Have the opportunity to participate in regional and national conferences.
Network with other members of this nationally recognized program.
Become an active leader on campus and in the community.
Travel across America on service trips that explore and impact different communities.

Commitment

Participation in the Bonner Leader Program is a four-year commitment to yourself, your campus and your community.

Commit to six to eight hours per week — about 270 hours per academic year — of direct service in the community.
Participate in regular training and enrichment activities.
Assume leadership roles in various on-campus civic engagement initiatives.
Participate in cornerstone activities, including the first-year alternative break trip and second-year exchange with Bonner Leaders from other schools.
Present a senior capstone project.

Year-by-Year Overview

Year 1: Bonner Beginnings

First year Bonners spend six to eight hours a week serving at a community agency that matches their interests and passion for making a difference. They also spend time each week in formal education, training, and reflection sessions with other students in their cohort.

Leaders participate in an alternative spring break service trip in Washington, D.C. as their first-year cornerstone activity.

Year 2: Leadership and Service

In addition to direct service work and cohort sessions, second year Bonners begin to assume more expanded leadership roles on campus, within the Bonner program, and at their service sites.

They also participate in the "second-year exchange" cornerstone activity with sophomore Bonners from other schools, sharing ideas, building community, and providing service outside our region.

Years 3 & 4: Growth and Impact

While continuing participation in the periodic cohort educational sessions and trainings, juniors and seniors take on more significant capacity-building projects within their service sites. Third year Bonners have the opportunity to travel to places like Hawai’i to engage with other Bonner schools and conduct service work that is quite different from the typical sites in NEPA.

As a fourth-year Bonner, leaders complete a capstone project that connects knowledge from their academic studies and Bonner sessions to their direct service experiences. This cornerstone activity celebrates the commitment and successes over four years; community partners, faculty and staff, and friends and family are invited to the seniors’ presentations of learning as we celebrate the completion of their capstone and official graduation from the Bonner Leader program.

Meet the Bonner Leaders

Fall 2023 Bonner Leaders

Caitlyn (Cait) Maslar

I chose Bonners because I love to help. Being a part of my communities is a big deal to me and I want to try my best to leave a lasting impact everywhere I go. Bonners gives me the opportunity to do all that and more.Caitlyn (Cait) Maslar

First-Year

Hometown: Exeter, PA

Dual Major: Elementary & early childhood education / special education

Shauna McAndrew

What interests me most about the program is being able to give back to my community and being able to help those in need.Shauna McAndrew

First-Year

Hometown: Lake Ariel

Major: Undeclared

Analiese Monteiro

I desire to be a beacon of light in the world and to serve others. I believe this program will help me become a strong leader and create a lasting impact on those around me.Analiese Monteiro

First-Year

Hometown: Hartsdale, NY

Major: Pre-pharmacy program