Schedule

Beyond the Ballot:
Reframing Mobilization in our Communities

Room 267

_{Spelman College
Samaya Goodwin | Bonner Campus Congress Representative
& Gabrielle Glass | Bonner Community Congress Rep
In this workshop, Spelman College’s Bonner Congress Representatives will lead an engaging discussion on voter registration initiatives. We will engage in interactive activities designed to think about how campus engagement around voter information and registration can be leveraged to address community needs and drive meaningful/lasting social change. This workshop will equip you with practical strategies to enhance your impact and champion social justice more effectively. Together, we will explore innovative ways for schools in the Bonner Network to deepen their involvement both on campus and within the surrounding community, reflect on our current work and plan forward.}

Centering
Student Voices

Demo Kitchen

_{Guilford College
Joel Banegas | Senior Intern &
Ashlyn Miller | Community Enrichment LiaisonJoin us to explore a new leadership model consisting of roles spread out evenly amongst students with positions in the Bonner program (B.L.T., B.A.B.). The new committee-based model is designed to elevate student voice and alleviate the workload of students with leadership roles within the Bonner program. It aspires to create a community-based approach to leadership, creating space for everyone to lead with efficiency and shared goals and to manage the process without the fear of having too much work.}

Community Care(s): Guide to Center Feminist Ideals in Conservatism and Cynicism

Room 250

_{Berea College
Halle Gensler | Senior Intern | 2nd Year-Bonner Leadership Team | Student Director of Community Service
Discover and engage in methods within feminist ideals to create and sustain community-centered events that build meaningful connections between students, townsfolk, and greater networks. Through an interactive session embracing bell Hooks's engaged pedagogy, attendees will explore how to integrate these frameworks into their own schools and leadership positions, fostering spaces that honor diverse experiences and empower marginalized voices. Attendees will take away techniques, tips, and ideas for reimagining engagement practices from all lenses, points to navigate polarization, and a commitment to collective upliftment in their communities.}

Funding Futures: Implementing a Student-Run Capacity Building Grants Process

Room 151

_{Sewanee: The University of the South
Mary Courtney Finn | Bonner Leader &
Daphne Nwobike | Bonner LeaderIn this workshop, Spelman College’s Bonner Congress Representatives will lead an engaging discussion on voter registration initiatives. We will engage in interactive activities designed to think about how campus engagement around voter information and registration can be leveraged to address community needs and drive meaningful/lasting social change. This workshop will equip you with practical strategies to enhance your impact and champion social justice more effectively. Together, we will explore innovative ways for schools in the Bonner Network to deepen their involvement both on campus and within the surrounding community, reflect on our current work and plan forward.}

Leadership Lab
New Session: Notion with Bobby Hackett

Room 150

_{Bonner Foundation
Bobby Hacket, President
Join us to discuss using Notion to strengthen your Bonner Program and Center's operations and management process. Walk away with new ideas, tools and strategies for implementing Notion in your center.}

Macalester Team’s PBQ Coalition (Posse Bonner Questbridge) and Focus on Access

Room 255

_{Macalester College
Liv Dalby | Bonner Scholar, Merson Bekele | Bonner Scholar, & Calla Lee | Posse ScholarPBQ (Posse, Bonner, Questbridge) bridges gaps between cohort scholarship communities on Macalester’s campus and beyond. Student-led, we aim to unite these programs with overlapping identities, values, and experiences to support students in their journeys through college. We provide access to unique opportunities and resources offered by each of these established, strong scholarship systems, and facilitate formal events, community engagement opportunities, and promote activities to build structures for success. Fostering relationships is vital to students' exploration of character and education, so in this session, we will discuss how you can create a space for students to connect and pursue their passions through cohort-based programming.}

Bonner Strong: Creating Impactful Service and Morale in Our Final Chapter

Room 145

_{Slippery Rock University
Esmeralda Bodon | Bonner Intern &
Sara Morar | Bonner Intern
This workshop focuses on strengthening morale within our Bonner Program as it approaches its final years on our campus. Key themes that will be discussed include creating new service opportunities, and cultivating our program's culture around "Bonner Love."  We will also discuss the Service Coalition's plan at SRU to connect Bonner organizations and community partners to create lasting change. Through collaborative feedback, we aim to make our remaining time in the Bonner Program as impactful and fulfilling as possible, while also informing fellow Bonner programs nationwide about strategies to strengthen Bonner Love and morale within their own communities.}

Passion in Action: Serving with
Creativity and Purpose

Room 151

_{Berea College
Mason Logan | Student Director of First Year EngagementPBQ (Posse, Bonner, Questbridge) bridges gaps between cohort scholarship communities on Macalester’s campus and beyond. Student-led, we aim to unite these programs with overlapping identities, values, and experiences to support students in their journeys through college. We provide access to unique opportunities and resources offered by each of these established, strong scholarship systems, and facilitate formal events, community engagement opportunities, and promote activities to build structures for success. Fostering relationships is vital to students' exploration of character and education, so in this session, we will discuss how you can create a space for students to connect and pursue their passions through cohort-based programming.}

Stereotype Elegy: Place, Belonging, and Community in Appalachia

Room 255

_{Emory & Henry University
Ryan Vaughan | Bonner Scholar
Often described as an "other America", Appalachia has been a topic of interest for scholars and mainstream media for decades. In this workshop, Emory & Henry University’s Bonner Scholar and 2024 Bonner Foundation National Intern Ryan Vaughan looks at the stereotypes and representation of Appalachia in mainstream media to better understand the place and, more importantly, the people that have been misrepresented. This interactive workshop will challenge participants to think through what it means to identify and belong to a community and the responsibilities of social action and activism therein.}

Tips for Submitting a Strong Graduate School Application

Demo Kitchen

_{Washington University of St. Louis
Sarah Lueken | Associate Director of
Admissions & RecruitmentApplying to graduate school can be both exciting and intimidating. There are hundreds of programs out there, and each one has its own list of application instructions and requirements. The application process can feel daunting and time-consuming, especially when you're trying to balance coursework, jobs, and other extracurricular activities on top of it. During this session, you'll receive guidance around navigating the graduate school application process, as well as some tips to help you submit your strongest application. It's never too late or too early to start thinking about grad school, so students of all levels are encouraged to attend! Be sure to come with questions.}

Unlocking Opportunities: The Power of Networking for FGLI Students

Room 150

_{Career Spring
Margaret Falter | Senior Regional Program Manager
In today's competitive job market, networking is a crucial tool for building the social capital needed to secure meaningful employment, especially for FGLI students. Our workshop, "The Power of Networking," is designed to equip students with strategies to build confidence and tools to transform their networking efforts into tangible career growth and success. Participants will learn how to use the free CareerSpring online platform to leverage their unique experiences and backgrounds to build valuable relationships, access job opportunities, and navigate the complexities of the professional world.}

Your Voice, Your Power: Leading the Charge for Campus Resources

Room 267

_{Student Basic Needs Coalition
Owen Tanner-Flomberg | Co-Founder and Executive DirectorThe Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC) is dedicated to ensuring that all students have access to essential resources like food, housing, and other basic needs to support their academic success. One of our key initiatives is the "SNAP into Action" program, which focuses on helping college students enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program provides eligible students with the financial support they need to purchase nutritious food, alleviating food insecurity on campuses. If you're a student interested in getting involved, you can join our efforts by becoming a SNAP ambassador on your campus, helping to raise awareness, guide your peers through the enrollment process, and advocate for the basic needs of all students. Together, we can make a difference in creating a supportive and equitable college experience for everyone.}

Ari Hoy
Bonner Foundation
Vice President

Cliff Davis
Bonner Foundation
Operations & Special Projects Coordinator
Morehouse College
Bonner Alum

Taylor Easter
Widener University Bonner Leader
2024 Foundation Summer Intern

Jeniffer Gonzalez Reyes
Bonner Foundation
Program Manager
Guilford College Bonner Alum

Ryan Vaughan
Emory & Henry University Bonner Scholar
2024 Foundation Summer Intern

Liz Brandt
Bonner Foundation
Community Engagement Director
Centre College Bonner Alum

Rachayita Shah
Bonner Foundation
Director of Community-Engaged Learning

Student Keynote Speaker

Halle Gensler ’25 (She/They), Bonner Senior Intern and Student Director of Community Service at Berea College
_{Halle Gensler is currently a senior Women, Gender, Sexualities Studies major at Berea College continuing her second year with the Bonner Leadership Team. Prior to College, they were organizing and supporting trauma and mental health support groups for primary school students throughout the outskirts of Chicago. Hal also spent time in Fairbanks, Alaska with Americorps VISTA in mental health drop-centers, continuing her development of intergenerational organizing and assistance for incarcerated folks in the region. Upon arriving to Kentucky, Halle has been involved with political organizing for reproductive rights, supporting Appalachian communities through business, to the many projects she has assisted within her Bonner roles. Beyond being a Capricorn, Halle is known for her love of feminist literature, Bob Ross painting tutorials, American Traditional tattoos, and the Legend of Zelda franchise. Post-Berea, they are hoping to continue in the field of sexual health advocacy and community organizing.}

Bonner Alumni Speaker

Aranxa Parra ’22 (She/Her), Bonner Alum at Centre College and Human Resources Generalist at 37th Street Bakery
_{Aranxa Alejandra Parra Marquez graduated as a Bonner Leader from Centre College Class of 2022. She double majored in Anthropology/Sociology and Spanish Literature, and is driven by an insatiable curiosity for understanding the intricate tapestry of human cultures. With a background in cultural anthropology and sociological theory, she dreams of bridging understanding and fostering empathy across diverse communities. Aranxa was part of the Bonner Leadership Team at Centre as the Community Liaison her sophomore year, as well as Summer Intern and Junior Intern during her hybrid school year in 2020. Post graduation, Aranxa was a fellow for the Programa de Inmersión Cultural y Voluntariado for the Mexican Office of External Relations last summer, while working full-time as a Human Resources Scheduling Specialist. Currently, you can find her promoting kindness as a Human Resources Generalist for a bakery in Chicago, and is also a Humanity in Action Senior Fellow for the Sarajevo program, which focuses on post-conflict reconstruction. She is currently in the process of pursuing a masters in public policy in the fall of 2025. Driven by kindness and fueled by curiosity, Aranxa hopes to make an impact in a world that yearns for connection and unity in the face of injustice.}

Bonner Alumni Speaker

Maria Flores ’20 (She/Her), Bonner Alum, DePauw University; and Development Coordinator at Housing Action Illinois
_{Maria Flores is the Development Coordinator at Housing Action Illinois. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies from DePauw University. While a student, she took part in public education and organizing. Maria co-coordinated an event featuring Ayo Tometi, co-founder of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, who spoke about anti-Black bias and immigration. As a Bonner Scholar Maria served at the United Way of Putnam County, the Hartman Center for Civic Engagement, and Siena’s Summer Service Scholar program where she served at the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region in Troy, NY. While abroad, Maria completed service as a research assistant for Ghana’s Anti-Corruption Coalition in Accra, Ghana. After graduation, Maria joined the AmeriCorps VISTA program and served at Housing Choice Partners of Illinois. All of these experiences paved the way for her passion for housing justice and is the reason she works at Housing Action Illinois today. Maria now lives in the Avondale neighborhood of Chicago with her partner, cat, and dog.}

Bonner Alumni Speaker

Fletcher York ’20 (He/Him), Bonner Alum, Earlham College; and Masters of Public Policy graduate at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago
_{Fletcher York is a proud FGLI Bonner Alumni from Earlham College and recent Master of Public Policy Grad from the University of Chicago with specializations in Social and Economic Inequality and Education Policy. During his time as a Bonner Scholar he served at Girls Inc. and was in Bonner Congress before going on to be an Intern his last two years. His time with Bonner led him to completing a Quaker Voluntary Service in Portland, OR at Outside In working with unhoused youth after he graduated from Earlham. While in grad school Fletcher was a program manager at the University of Chicago's Community Service Center running service based community engagement programs passing on the spirit and lessons of the Bonner Program to his students. Currently, Fletcher is a Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) finalist navigating the difficult job market but hopes to end up in the education or housing policy space working on equitable policy that integrates the voices of people with lived experience and vested stakeholders.}

Jeniffer Gonzalez Reyes '19 (She/Her/Ella),
Program Manager at Bonner Foundation
_{As the Program Manager, Jeniffer helps ensure that community engaged professionals are effective in building and sustaining high quality campus programs. She develops new or refine existing training and curriculum to provide technical assistance to college/universities with in the Bonner Network. She supports planning for national conferences, conducts campus visits, and manages international and national organizations that enrich and support the Bonner Program and Network. Jen holds a B.S. in Physics from Guilford College where she also was a Bonner Scholar.}

Taylor Easter (She/Her), Bonner Leader at Widener University and 2024 National Bonner Intern
_{Taylor Easter is pursuing her double major in Political Science and Sociology at Widener University. Her active participation in the Bonner Program as the Political Engagement Coordinator has allowed her to plan and implement programs for voter registration and civic engagement. She has also shown her dedication to research and data analysis as a Research Assistant in the Department of Political Science. Taylor is a Resident Assistant at Widener University and a National Programming Intern at Campus Vote Project. She demonstrates her commitment to peer support as a PRIDE Mentor at Multicultural Student Affairs and as the Cochair at Students for BallotPA. Additionally, she serves as the Vice President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Tau Alpha Chapter, and the Vice President of Community Outreach at Widener National Pan-Hellenic Council.}

Ryan Vaughan (He/Him), Bonner Scholar at Emory & Henry University and 2024 National Bonner Intern
_{Hailing from the mountains of the Greenbrier Valley in Lewisburg, West Virginia, Ryan Vaughan is entering his fourth year at Emory & Henry College. A Bonner Scholar and Civic Leader Scholar, Ryan is excited to join the Bonner Foundation as a national intern for the summer of 2024. A graduate of the School of The New York Times (‘19), Ryan uses his digital storytelling skills in media and communications to tell stories of people that otherwise might not get told. As a Bonner Scholar, Ryan has worked on the Appalachian Oral History Project, and serves as co-host and producer of Studio B: The Emory & Henry Bonner Podcast. Throughout his time as a Civic Leader Scholar, Ryan has worked with many non-profits like Rivers’s Way, Isaiah 1:17 House, and the United Way, and is currently working to start a reading group at a local correctional facility for inmates who do not have access to books. Ryan currently serves as the student coordinator of the Watershed Project, an initiative by the Emory & Henry College Appalachian Center for Civic Life to use modern technology and mixed media to tell an honest story of Southwest Virginia.}

Friday Night (10/11)

Team Trivia

Get ready for an exciting team trivia activity featuring a variety of categories like pop culture, history, and sports! This session promises fun, teamwork, and a bit of friendly competition as Bonners come together to tackle trivia questions and show off their problem-solving skills. If you're in the mood for something more laid back, we’ll also have awesome puzzles for you and your friends to enjoy.

Puzzle Building

If you're in the mood for something more laid back, we’ll also have awesome puzzles for you and your friends to enjoy.

Saturday Night (10/12)

Team Minute to Win it

Get ready for fast-paced fun and friendly competition! Join us for an exciting "Minute to Win It" team challenge with quick, creative games that test your speed and skills. From stacking cups to balancing acts, you’ll be racing against the clock to win!

Coloring

If you’re looking for a more relaxed experience, we’ll also have a calming arts and crafts activity where you can unwind, get creative, and enjoy chill vibes with friends.

CareerSpring
_{CareerSpring envisions a future where every FGLI student in the United States acquires meaningful, high-quality employment that maximizes their potential, provides dignity of work, and enriches the labor market. But they know access is key. Which is why they're all about creating a Platform that makes access possible. Together with our Network, CareerSpring can realize their mission to unlock the employment potential of FGLI students by providing career information, social capital, and job placement services.}Network Signup Code: Bonnerlove

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Congressional Hunger Center
_{The Congressional Hunger Center works to make issues of domestic and international hunger a priority to policymakers in the U.S. government, and to raise a new generation of leaders to fight against hunger and poverty.
Through the Zero Hunger Initiative, Bonners will be able to deepen their learning around issues of food security, hunger and poverty and be exposed to ways they can become more effective advocates for promoting policies that address food security and reduce hunger in their campus communities.The Congressional Hunger Center operates a summer internship program in Washington, DC and a post-graduate fellowship programs, the Emerson National Hunger Fellows Program, that trains, inspires, and sustains leaders. Fellows gain field experience fighting hunger and poverty through placements in community based organizations across the country, and policy experience through placements in Washington, D.C. The program bridges community-based efforts and national public policy, and fellows develop as effective leaders in the movement to end hunger and poverty.}

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Food Recovery Network
_{Food Recovery Network (FRN) unites 6,000+ college students, food suppliers, farmers, and local businesses across the U.S. in the fight against climate change and hunger by recovering surplus food from across the supply chain and donating it to local nonprofit organizations that feed people experiencing hunger.}

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School For International Training
_{School for International Training (SIT) is a leader in immersive, field-based study abroad programs for undergraduates. We offer programs in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, as well as comparative programs in multiple locations. In addition to our rich history, our programs’ unique qualities – including exceptional locations, independent research, cultural immersion, and deep local networks — make our programs an ideal choice for an extraordinary, transformative study abroad experience.}

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Student Basic Needs Coalition
_{The Student Basic Needs Coalition started as a student organization at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2019. The group originally formed to advocate for solutions to student food insecurity, but quickly found that students on their campus and campuses across the country were facing barriers to food, housing, health, and safety that prevented them from finishing their degrees. In 2020, SBNC at UTK joined forces with a similar group at NC State to launch the Student Basic Needs Coalition as a national nonprofit. We’ve since grown our organization from a presence on 2 campuses to involvement from youth advocates in 15 states.}

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Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis
_{The Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis believes that exploring the intersections in social work, public health and social policy creates stronger solutions to complex societal and health issues. The Brown School offers a Masters of Social Work, Masters of Public Health, and Masters of Social Policy. The Brown School has partnered with the Bonner Foundation to offer $40,000 tuition award, for two Bonner Scholar/Leader alumni.}All Bonner Scholar/Leader alumni admitted to the program will be eligible for a minimum $10,000 annual tuition scholarship.

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Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University
_{The Heinz College is home to two internationally recognized graduate level institutions: the School of Information Systems and Management and the School of Public Policy and Management. This unique colocation combined with its expertise in analytics set Heinz College apart in the areas of cybersecurity, health care, the future of work, smart cities, and arts & entertainment.}All Bonner Scholar/Leaders, alumni or staff interested will receive the following partnership benefits: 1) application fee waiver and 2) a minimum scholarship of $30,000.

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Humphrey School of Public Affairs at University of Minnesota
_{The Humphrey School ranks among the country’s top 10 professional public policy and planning schools, widely recognized for its success in advancing the common good through a comprehensive, world-class program.}Bonner students and alumni who apply for admission to any of the Humphrey School's ix master’s degree programs will receive benefits from the School including application fee waivers upon request and a minimum scholarship of $10,000, with further consideration for additional merit based scholarship support.

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O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IU Bloomington
_{The Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana offers professional, interdisciplinary graduate degree programs in public affairs, environmental science, arts administration, healthcare management, and environmental sustainability.}Bonner students and alumni who apply for any of the O’Neill School’s master’s degrees or dual master’s degrees receive priority admission, an application fee waiver and 25% tuition remission.

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University of Pennsylvania Nonprofit Leadership Program at the School of Social Policy & Practice
_{The Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership Program (NPL) at the University of Pennsylvania prepares nonprofit leaders and social entrepreneurs to guide organizations tackling some of the world’s most complex social challenges. Learn to create social impact through thoughtful, inventive, and meaningful work in nonprofits, charitable foundations, international NGOs, and more. This program is ideal for existing nonprofit professionals, those looking to launch their careers, or career changers from other sectors. The curriculum is customizable and can meet the needs and interests of any potential student interested in a career in social impact no matter where they are in their career. The Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership program is a 10 C.U. program, offered full-time (10-months), part-time (2.5 years), online, and on-campus. Students will take 8 C.U. within the Nonprofit Leadership Program and 2 “Penn Electives” in any graduate program of their choice.}The University of Pennsylvania will waive the application fee for applicants to the MSNPL who are Bonner Scholars/Leaders, alumni, or staff. Applicants who are successfully admitted into the program will receive a guaranteed $15,000 one-time scholarship. To receive the waiver, email [email protected] with your name and current or past affiliation with Bonner.

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