How are students chosen to be Bonner Leaders?
Most new Bonner Leaders are incoming first-year students and rising sophomores. Students are chosen based on financial need, their interest in and commitment to social change, civic engagement and community-strengthening work.
When do I apply to be a Bonner Leader?
Applications will open in mid-February for the following academic year’s cohort. You can find the application for the Bonner Leaders Program in Handshake. If you have questions or want more information on the program you can reach out to LaToya Taris-James, Program Manager, via email or stop into the Sabo Center.
What type of job would I have as a Bonner Leader?
The Bonner Community Leaders Program at Augsburg University has many different community partner organizations and programs that host students for a variety of work opportunities. Student jobs range from working as an after-school program assistant or tutor, to organizing a neighborhood coalition, to working on food justice and access with the Campus Kitchen project. First year students are required to choose a placement with one of our on campus partners.
How many students are in Augsburg’s Bonner Community Leader Program?
20-25 students participate every year.
What is the time commitment?
Bonner Leaders work an average of 8-15 hours each week on campus and in the community, and participate in meetings and workshops every other Wednesday – meetings and workshops account for about 4-6 hours a month.
What’s the history of this program?
The Bonner Community Leaders program at Augsburg is a part of a national network of similar Leader and Scholar programs. Founded in 1990 by the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation, which is based in Princeton, New Jersey, the Bonner Program is one of the largest programs of its kind in the nation. The Bonner model is active in 65 colleges and universities across the United States, supporting community work opportunities for more than 2,400 undergraduate students. The program seeks to change the lives of the students, their communities, and the nation by providing access to education and opportunities to serve. The Augsburg Bonner Community Leaders Program started in 2008, and has been formerly known as the LEAD Fellows (Leaders for Equity, Action and Democracy).