How are students chosen to be Bonner Leaders?
Students are selected based on financial need, commitment to social change, and community engagement. Most new Bonner students are incoming first-year students or rising sophomores.
When do I apply to be a Bonner Leader?
Applications open in mid-March for the following academic year. Check Smart Recruiters for the application or contact Coral Ramos, Program Manager, or stop by the Sabo Center for more information.
What type of job would I have as a Bonner Leader?
The BCL Program at Augsburg University has many different community partner organizations and programs that host students for a variety of work opportunities. Jobs vary from after-school program assistants to neighborhood coalition organizers, to working on food justice with Campus Kitchen. First-year students start by exploring different sites during the fall semester.
How many students are in Augsburg’s Bonner Community Leader Program?
There are about 20 participating students every year.
What is the time commitment?
Bonner Leaders work 8-10 hours per week and attend meetings/workshops at least two Wednesdays per month (4-6 hours/month), and one Saturday per semester. First-year students should also reserve their spring break for the First Year Service trip.
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, the Bonner Program is one of the largest programs of its kind in the nation. The Bonner model is active in 75 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).