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Bonner Leaders Program

Pictured are the 2022 Point Park University Bonner Leaders. 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 2021-22 Bonner Leaders and Community Partners

 

Pictured is Sarah Barrett. Submitted photo. Sarah Barrett

B.S. in biological sciences - organismal concentration
 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

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

B.F.A. in dance
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 Madyson Christie. Submitted photo. Madyson Christie

B.A. in history
Hometown: Chambersburg, Pa.
Community partner placement: August Wilson African American Cultural Center

What social issues are you passionate about? I am passionate about inclusion and diversity. No matter how alike we think we are, we all have something in our lives that make us different from each other. I believe because of these differences we should all celebrate each other’s lives rather than tear one another down because we do not fit the "social norms."

Would you rather read an awesome book or watch a good movie? I’d rather read an awesome book. Usually I can put down a 350-page book in about an hour and a half, so if it’s good enough I won’t be able to put it down.

Why do you want to be a Bonner Leader? I would like to make a difference in people’s lives. I’m a big believer of karma, and I believe the more I do to help people within our community, the better luck I will someday receive.

Pictured is Terry Craig. Submitted photo. Terry Craig Jr.

B.S. in accounting
 Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Community partner placement: Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership

What social issues are you passionate about? Institutional racism and expressing religious values.

Would you rather read an awesome book or watch a good movie? An awesome book! Nothing beats a book that makes you express real emotions!

Why did you want to be a Bonner Leader? To give back to the community and meet others who share the same passions as me.

Pictured is Jordan Haikey. Submitted photo. Jordan Haikey

Undecided
Hometown: Hagerstown, Md.
Community partner placement: Dress for Success Pittsburgh 

What social issues are you passionate about? Women’s rights, social inequality and poverty.

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

Why did you want to be a Bonner Leader? I want to be able to give back to my community and help it grow effectively.                                                                             

Pictured is Grace Schmader. Submitted photo. Grace Schmader

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.

Pictured is Gianna Talento. Submitted photo. Gianna Talento

B.S. in marketing
 Hometown: Cranberry, Pa.
Community partner placement: Foundation of Hope

What social issues are you passionate about? Civil rights, domestic violence and racism.

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

Why did you want to be a Bonner Leader? I want to be pushed in the right direction to start making a difference in the world.