Skip to main content
Apply Request Info

Bonner Leaders Program

Pictured are Bonner Leaders students during a service learning spring break trip. Submitted photo.

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.

Pictured is the Point Park Bonner Leaders logo.

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

 

Pictured is Jasmine Campbell.

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. 

Pictured is Kyle Dennis.

Kylie Dennis

Major: Psychology
Hometown: Brownsville, Pa.
Community partner placement: Consortium for Public Education, Partners in Learning
Why did you choose to be a Bonner Leader? I chose to be a Bonner Leader because I want to be more involved in community projects and give back to the community.

Pictured is Shep Fourgson.

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.

Pictured is Laura Hermann.

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.

Pictured is Kyrique Mitchell.

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.

Pictured is Natalie Quinn.

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.  

Pictured is Reese Riordan.

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. 

Pictured is Bella Sandoval.

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.

Pictured is Lauren Seger.

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.  

Pictured is Luka Strickland.

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. 

Pictured is Sienna Wraith.

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

Pictured is Zane Atkins. Submitted photo.

Zane Atkins

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

Pictured is Lilly Benz. Submitted photo.

Lilly Benz

Major: B.F.A. in Dance, Jazz concentration
Hometown: Buffalo, New York
Community partner placement: Pittsburgh CLO

Pictured is Taylor Coles. Submitted photo.

Taylor Coles

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

Pictured is Rowan Lemmon. Submitted photo.

Rowan Lemmon

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

Pictured is Caitlyn Mcloughlin. Submitted photo.

Caitlyn Mcloughlin

Major: B.F.A. in Cinema Production
Hometown: Fermangh, Ireland
Community partner placement: Hello Neighbor 

Pictured is Bella McClucas. Submitted photo.

Bella McClucas

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

Pictured is Jada Moore. Submitted photo.

Jada Moore

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

Pictured is Grace Smith. Submitted photo.

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

Pictured is Sarah Barrett. Submitted photo. 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.

Would you rather read an awesome book or watch a good movie?
Read an awesome book.

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!

Pictured is Jade-Bowen-Jean. Submitted photo. 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.

Would you rather read an awesome book or watch a good movie?Read an awesome book with an equally awesome movie adaptation!

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.

Pictured is Rachel Brown. Submitted photo. Rachel Brown

Major: B.F.A. in Dance, Modern concentration
Hometown: Chesapeake, Va.
Community partner placement: August Wilson African American Cultural Center

What social issues are you passionate about? I am passionate about homelessness/ poverty and civil right and racial discrimination. I especially gained these passions over the course of 2020 and the remainder of quarantine due to COVID-19.

Would you rather read an awesome book or watch a good movie? I wish I could do both, but I guess read an awesome book.

Why do you want to be a Bonner Leader? I want to be a Bonner Leader because I have always been so involved in my community at home, and I want to continue that path in the area that will be my future home for the next four years.

 

 

Pictured is Grace Schmader. Submitted photo. 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.

Would you rather read an awesome book or watch a good movie? I would choose a good movie because you can see exactly what is happening.

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.