Bonner Leaders Program

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 freshman and continue through their senior year. The cohort of Bonner Leaders have 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

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. 

---

 

Shepherd Fourgson, Jr.

Major: Sports, Arts, Entertainment & Music Business
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader? Because I wanted to be a part of something that has an impact on society.

---

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.

---

Kyrique Mitchell

Major: Broadcasting Production
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Community partner placement: Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership
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.  

---

Reese Riordan

Major: Intelligence and National Security
Hometown: Rochester, Pa.
Community partner placement: Foster Love Project
Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader? I chose to be a Bonner because I want to grow as a person and come out of my shell, as well as grow closer to my community. I want to gain knowledge and information on different cultures and groups of people. 

---

Bella Sandoval

Major: Dance
Hometown: Oakland, Calif.
Community partner placement: Gwen's Girls
Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader? I chose to be a Bonner Leader to expand my work experience and to help in my new community.

---

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

---

 

Taylor Coles

Major: B.S. in Applied Computer Science
Hometown: Oakmont, Pa.
Community partner placement: Pennsylvania Women Work

---

Rowan Lemmon

Major: B.A. in Psychology
Hometown: Millersville, Pa.
Community partner placement: Foster Love Project 

---

 

Bella McClucas

Major: B.A. in 4^th-8^th Grade Math Education
Hometown: Dover, Pa.
Community partner placement: Multiplying Good

---

Jada Moore

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

---

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