Bonner Leaders Program

Bonner Leaders

The Bonner Leaders Program is a national program that seeks to improve the lives of individuals and communities. The Bonner Leaders service and leadership development program is implemented at more than 40 colleges and universities nationwide. Bonner Leaders have an interest in serving the community and in growing as leaders.

Bonner Leaders are paid for 10 hours/week to work with a nonprofit community partner and complete leadership training. Leaders typically join as freshmen and continue through their senior year. The cohort of Bonner Leaders has opportunities to travel to regional and national conferences and service learning trips together annually.

Who are Bonner Leaders?

Bonner Leaders are outstanding students who commit themselves to leadership through service and making positive changes across campus and in the community. This four-year service-based program pairs real-life work experiences in Pittsburgh nonprofit organizations with powerful leadership development training and education that helps students transition from volunteers to leaders in their community.

Benefits of the program include:

A work study or apprentice stipend for up to $3,000 per year working with a community organization.
Community service placement in an area of interest.
Weekly leadership training with your Bonner Leaders cohort.
Opportunity to attend regional and national leadership conferences and service learning trips.
Opportunity to mentor incoming Bonner Leaders.

Get involved

For more information, contact Shawn Sweeney, Bonner Leaders program manager, at ssweeney@pointpark.edu. Visit the Bonner Program website for more information about the national program.

Meet Our Bonner Leaders and Community Partners

2025-26 Cohort

Lainey Albright

Major: Education PreK to Grade 4/Special Education PreK to Grade 12
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Community Partner Placement: Partners in Learning at the Consortium for Public Education

Describe yourself in three words

Passionate, Caring, Hardworking

Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader?

I volunteer regularly outside of school. I enjoy being able to help and Bonner is a source for me to find ways to help others.

TJ Berry

Major: Animation
Hometown: Lebanon, Pa.
Community Partner Placement: Wood Street Commons/Community Human Services

Describe yourself in three words:

Calm, Creative, Caring

Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader?

I wanted to build a connection in the community and meet others.

Nylah Echavarria

Major: Forensic Science
Hometown: Portsmouth, Va.
Community Partner Placement: YouthPlaces

Describe yourself in three words:

Ambitious, Whimsical, and Fun.

Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader?

I chose to be a Bonner leader because I wanted a job where I could make things easier for others.

Devin Frank

Major: Film Production
Hometown: North Versailles, Pa.
Community Partner Placement: Pittsburgh CLO Academy

Describe yourself in three words:

Creative, Empathetic, Leader

Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader?

If I can use my qualification for a work-study to help people in my community, I’d love nothing more than to do just that.

Brandi Jones

Major: Acting
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Community Partner Placement: Boys and Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania

Describe yourself in three words:

Ambitious, Hard-working, Collaborative

Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader?

I love serving and giving back to the community

Tierney Joyce

Major: Contemporary Theater Making
Hometown: Scranton, Pa. (yes, like "The Office")
Community Partner Placement: GirlGov

Describe yourself in three words:

Driven, passionate, bubbly

Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader?

I love what the program stands for and the exclusivity of it. I like to be around people who are just as driven and hard working as me, but I also love to be around people who have different opinions and walks of life! I think the Bonners program does a great job of having a diverse selection of students.

Eden Lafler

Major: Dance (modern concentration)
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Mich.
Community Partner Placement: Café Momentum

Describe yourself in three words:

Empathetic, Creative, and Hardworking.

Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader?

I was excited by the opportunity to have work-study that gives back to the community.

Ka’rryn Lee

Major: Economics and Finance
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Community Partner Placement: AudaCITY

Describe yourself in three words:

Kind, Intelligent, Sincere

Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader?

It seemed like a great opportunity to explore.

Cordelia McCoy

Major: Forensic Science and Psychology
Hometown: Bellefonte, Pa.
Community Partner Placement: Boys and Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania

Describe yourself in three words:

Determined, Creative, Efficient

Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader?

I chose to be a Bonner Leader so I could be able to get experience in the real-life work world, although I've already had 3 jobs before, I would still want to get to know what It's like to work in Pittsburgh.

Lilith Mey

Major: Education Pre-K to Grade 4
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Community Partner Placement: Partners in Learning and the Consortium for Public Education

Describe yourself in three words:

Kindhearted, Optimistic, Friendly

Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader?

I chose to be a Bonner Leader because I want to put myself out of my comfort zone in a way that not only helps me but also my community.

Jaden Rivera

Major: Intelligence and National Security
Hometown: Orlando, Fla.
Community Partner Placement: Foster Love Project

Describe yourself in three words:

Respectful, honorable, honest

Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader?

To have a chance at helping the community and building my resume.

Isaiah Serrano

Major: Economics and Finance
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Community Partner Placement: Boys and Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania

Describe yourself in three words:

Motivated, Adaptable, Authentic

Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader?

Wanted to be involved with my new community and help where I can.

Nigel Ward

Major: Dance (modern concentration)
Hometown: Lovejoy, Ga.
Community Partner Placement: Project Impact

Abbigal Werzbicke

Major: English
Hometown: Seward, Pa.
Community Partner Placement: YouthPlaces

Describe yourself in three words

Kindhearted, Considerate, Observant

Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader?

I chose to be a Bonner Leader because I enjoyed working with other people to help spread awareness of clubs to people who didn’t know much about them and the true meaning behind them during high school. There was also the opportunity to meet new people that were apart of my previous school, which I really liked doing and the fact that these clubs helped me build up on skills like communication, public speaking, confidence, and being able to handle constructive criticism.

Jacob White

Major: Photography
Hometown: Corry, Pa.
Community Partner Placement: YouthPlaces

Describe yourself in three words:

Creative, Inspired, Introverted-Extrovert

Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader?

I wanted to get more opportunities to advance myself in what I am studying and things that support that.

2024-25 Cohort

Jasmine Campbell

Major: Dance
Hometown: Fresno, Calif.
Community partner placement: YWCA

Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader? I chose to be a Bonner Leader because I wanted to gain more experience with doing community service while obtaining income to support my educational studies. Ever since I was little, I have always wanted to do more for people who struggle on a daily basis. Because I am so privileged, I want to broaden my perspective on struggling communities and be a voice for those who are not given one.

Laura Hermann

Major: Theatre Production
Hometown: Monongahela, Pa.
Community partner placement: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader? I chose to be a Bonner Leader because I am very interested in nonprofit management, and I have a strong commitment to community service.

Jennifer Lewine

Major: Film Production
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Community Partner Placement: Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation

Describe yourself in three words:

Quiet, Busy, Chaotic

Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader?

To help others while continuing my education.

Kyrique Mitchell

Major: Broadcasting Production
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Community partner placement: Sto-Rox Library
Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader? I chose to be a Bonner Leader because I felt like it was a good opportunity, and I love helping people and being active in my community.

Natalie Quinn

Major: Cinema Production
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pa.
Community partner placement: Hill Dance Academy Theatre
Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader? I wanted to be a Bonner leader to become more engaged in the new community that surrounds me. I also thought it would be a great opportunity to network with people outside of that college bubble.

Lauren Seger

Major: Animation
Hometown: Curwensville, Pa.
Community partner placement: Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation
Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader? To be active and helpful in the community of Pittsburgh.

Luka Strickland

Major: Sports Communication
Hometown: Camp Hill, Pa.
Community partner placement: Open Field
Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader? I chose to be a leader in hopes of getting experience in Downtown Pittsburgh. I wanted to be involved with the community from early on.

Sienna Wraith

Major: History
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Community partner placement: Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation
Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader? I chose to be a Bonner Leader because I get to use my work-study hours to volunteer and make real change instead of just working in an office.

2023-24 Cohort

Zane Atkins

Major: B.A. in Political Science
Hometown: Beaver, Pa.
Community partner placement: Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership

Jada Moore

Major: B.F.A. in Dance, Jazz concentration
Hometown: Leesburg, Va.
Placement: August Wilson African American Cultural Center

Bradley Potts

Major: Public Administration (Fire Service concentration)
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Community Partner Placement: YouthPlaces

Describe yourself in three words:

Helpful, thoughtful, reliable.

Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader?

I chose to be a Bonner Leader because I wanted to grow as a leader while making a meaningful impact in my community. The program provides the opportunity to combine service with learning, which allows me to not only help address real needs but also to develop skills I can carry into my career and personal life. Most importantly, I value the chance to work with others who share a passion for service and to be part of something larger than myself.

Grace Smith

Major: B.S. in Sports, Arts, Entertainment & Music Business
Hometown: Harrison City, Pa.
Community partner placement: Bonner Leaders Program and the Pioneer Pantry

2022-23 Cohort

Sarah Barrett

Major: B.S. in Sports, Arts, Entertainment & Music Business
Hometown: Hagerstown, Md.
Community partner placement: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

What social issues are you passionate about?
Reproductive rights/women's health care.

Why do you want to be a Bonner Leader?
I want to be a Bonner Leader because it gives an educational reflection time for the service work that we’re doing. Just in general, it seems like a great space for growth!

Jade Bowen-Jean

Major: B.F.A. in Dance, Modern concentration
Hometown: Queens, New York
Community partner placement: Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation

What social issues are you passionate about? Diversity and Inclusion, especially within the arts.

Why do you want to be a Bonner Leader? I want to be able to encourage people to make change and become actively involved in their communities.

Grace Schmader

Major: B.F.A. in Dance, Jazz concentration
Hometown: Clarion, Pa.
Community partner placement: Pittsburgh CLO

What social issues are you passionate about? The social issue that I am most passionate about is children growing up in poverty. Sometimes children growing up in poverty lack access to equal opportunities for education, nutrition, proper medical care and having their basic needs met to ensure they have a sense of security and belonging.

Why did you want to be a Bonner Leader? Being in the Bonner Leadership program will afford me the opportunity to surround myself with people who are also passionate about making the community stronger. Additionally, my hope is that it will assist me in growing my leadership skills and help me to become a strong role model in my community.