2026 Bonner Summer Leadership Institute

The Bonner Foundation is excited to partner with Rutgers University–New Brunswick for the 2026 Bonner Summer Leadership Institute. Please register below by May 7, 2026.

Dates: Sunday, June 7 – Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Host: Rutgers University–New Brunswick (New Brunswick, NJ)

About the Summer Leadership Institute

  • Largest annual Bonner Network gathering, with approximately 350 attendees from 65–70 colleges and universities

  • Participants include teams of students, staff and administrators, faculty, community partners, alumni, national nonprofits, and graduate school partners

  • A four-day convening featuring plenaries, workshops, discussions, networking, and social activities

  • Opportunity to showcase and exchange best practices across the Bonner Network and Rutgers’ Bonner Program, campus-wide civic engagement, community partnerships, and student leadership

  • Format includes all-group sessions, role-based tracks, workshops, and place-based immersion experiences with community partners

Place-Based Immersion at 2025 Bonner Summer Leadership Institute

About Rutgers University–New Brunswick

Revolutionary for more than 250 years, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is the nation’s eighth oldest institution of higher learning. As one of only nine colonial colleges established before the American Revolution, Rutgers has a centuries-old tradition of rising to the challenges of each new generation. Today, Rutgers University New Brunswick is the flagship campus of Rutgers University, a public land-grant research university consisting of three major campuses in New Jersey. Rutgers New Brunswick serves 37,985 undergraduates (with an in-state tuition of under $20K). Rutgers is ranked #16 as a public university and #42 as a comprehensive university nationally (one of the highest in the network). 

About The Collaborative Center for Community Engagement

The Collaborative Center for Community Engagement (home of the Rutgers-New Brunswick Bonner Leader Program) is dedicated to engaging students, faculty, and staff within the communities where Rutgers University - New Brunswick has a presence.

Its core mission is to support campus-community partnerships to advance the public good in New Brunswick and Piscataway, throughout New Jersey, and beyond. The Collaborative runs several service programs including the Rutgers Bonner Leader Program, Advancing Community Development, Community Tours, and other programs.

Collaborative Center programs connect more than 3,000 students, faculty, and staff each year to community partners in New Brunswick and beyond through in-depth placements and projects involving policy research, access to education, health, language, and the arts, to name a few.

What to Expect with Rutgers University-New Brunswick as our Host

Rutgers University–New Brunswick offers a powerful setting for the Bonner Network to connect learning, service, and civic leadership in a region shaped by deep history, rich cultural assets, and active community partnership.

Highlights we are planning for 2026 include:

  • Community immersions and place-based learning connected to Rutgers’ community partners and the New Brunswick area.

  • Opportunities to engage with RU-NB resources and spaces that support student success and community impact.

  • Time and space for Bonner Programs to share practices, build relationships, and strengthen shared commitments across the network.

  • Support meaningful connection between Bonner students, campus staff, and partners in ways that participants can adapt back home.

Registration & Ticket Options

All ticket types include full access to all SLI programming, workshops, place-based immersions, snack breaks, receptions, and meals (see below).

Registration Deadline: May 7, 2026

click to register

tentative schedule

Please find below the tentative schedule for the 2026 Bonner Summer Leadership Institute.

ELECTIVE WORKSHOP PROPOSALS

We invite elective workshop proposals from across the Bonner Network—including staff, students, faculty, alumni, graduate students, national partners, and collaborators beyond the network. Workshops should reflect the breadth of experiences, perspectives, and expertise within our community, and contribute to strengthening Bonner Programs and advancing civic and community engagement in higher education.

Session at 2025 Bonner Summer Leadership Institute

Within each workshop block, we aim to offer 8-10 sessions that explore timely, relevant themes and respond to current issues shaping our campuses, communities, and democracy. We encourage proposals that engage with topics such as community partnerships, civic learning, social justice, public policy, leadership development, and emerging challenges and opportunities in higher education and community engagement work.

Sessions should be designed with broad relevance in mind, offering meaningful entry points for participants across roles. At the same time, workshops may be tagged to highlight particular areas of focus—such as engaged teaching and scholarship, student leadership and development, or professional practice and program management—while remaining accessible and valuable to all attendees.

We especially welcome sessions that foster dialogue across perspectives, share innovative practices, and build collective capacity within the Bonner Network and the broader field.

Complete the form below by Thursday, May 7th to submit your elective workshop proposal.

submit proposal here

be a resume coach

We invite Bonner staff, alumni, and other professionals to volunteer as resume coaches during our Networking Fair on Monday, June 8th from 2:00–3:00 PM. We are seeking approximately 10 coaches to provide brief, 1:1 resume feedback and guidance to Bonner students and early-career staff.

This is a great opportunity to share your experience, support professional growth, and help participants strengthen how they tell their stories and showcase their skills. Whether offering quick edits, strategic advice, or encouragement, your insight can make a meaningful impact.

sign up here

Travel to Rutgers University–New Brunswick

BY AIR:

Recommended Airport:

  • Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is the closest major airport, about 24 miles from Rutgers–New Brunswick.

Use these instructions for help getting from the EWR airport to Rutgers–New Brunswick.

Other airports:

  • Trenton Mercer (TTN) (about 28 miles)

  • JFK (New York) (about 48 miles)

  • LaGuardia (New York) (about 54 miles)

  • Philadelphia (PHL) (about 73 miles)

BY DRIVING:

Rutgers–New Brunswick is in central New Jersey and is accessible from several major highways. We recommend using Rutgers’ Getting Here page for driving directions and campus map links.

GPS Address: Busch Student Center, 604 Bartholomew Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854

Hotel ACCOMMODATIONS

For those wishing to stay off-campus, you may want to consider these hotel options:

New Brunswick

These options are walkable to Rutgers bus stops and the train station.

Outside New Brunswick

These options are a convenient drive/Uber to campus.