Program Description

Student Development

“Access to Education, Opportunity to Serve”

Bonner Program students are part of a developmental model that attempts to identify, develop, and integrate service passions, career interests, and academic pursuits. Because the Bonner Program is a multi-year commitment, students are challenged and supported to grow and develop in their service work. As a result, students become more involved and take on additional responsibilities and leadership roles as they advance in the Bonner Program. The Foundation developed a student development framework known as the Service As Transformation that articulates student development goals:

• Four-Year Student Development Model

The four-year student development model actually has five stages that we refer to as the “5 E’s.” They are as follows:

1. Expectation: Students apply and prepare for participation in the program
2. Explore: First-year students are involved in a variety of service sites and activities including short-term service trips
3. Experience: Second-year students are encouraged to focus on a particular issue within a single organization that enables them as Bonner Scholars to fully experience the operations and mission of a particular agency and to develop a better understanding of community issues. This approach also offers agencies consistent and reliable support to help run and manage their programs.
4. Example: By the third year, Bonner students are expected to take on expanded roles and responsibilities both on campus and in their communities. For many, this initiative translates into leadership positions with a campus service organization and/or a community agency.
5. Expertise: The Bonner Program works to identify interests and skills on the part of students and match them with community opportunities and needs. Students who have been involved in the Bonner Program are encouraged to integrate their academic pursuits and career interests with their service activities. As a result, sociology majors become involved in research projects, English majors write annual reports, and communications majors assist with agencies' public relations.

The Bonner Scholars Programs' "5 E's" framework is meant to provide a common challenge that can be applied in appropriate ways to every individual who participates, recognizing that students enter into the Bonner Program at different stages of their college career and move through their development at different rates. Because of students' varying interests and rates of growth, Bonner Program staff on each campus spend time advising students throughout their tenure within the program.

Related Links:
- Four-Year Student Development Model Concept Paper
- Four-Year Student Development Model Chart
- Student Development Examples from Bonner Scholar Campuses
- Student Development Reflections by Bonner Scholars

• Common Commitments

It is our hope that all Bonner Scholars will encounter these commitments in one way or another throughout their time in the program. Our belief is that exposure to these commitments through the Bonner Program will help Bonner Scholars develop the skills and initiative to go into the world after completing the Bonner Program well-prepared to live and serve as educated, culturally aware, and civic-minded individuals.

• Social Justice: Advocate for fairness, impartiality, and equality while addressing systemic social and environmental issues.
• Civic Engagement: Participate intentionally as a citizen in the democratic process, actively engaging in public policy and direct service.
• Community-Building: Establish and sustain a vibrant community personal relationships and common interests.
• Spiritual Exploration: Explore personal beliefs while respecting the spiritual practices of others.
• International Perspective: Develop international understanding that enables individuals to participate successfully and sensitively in a global society.
• Diversity: Respect and engage the many different dimensions of diversity in our public lives.

  Related Links:
  - from intro to student development model
  - examples of how Bonner campuses are utilizing the Common Commitments in their student development activites
  - Excerpts from Bonner Student Impact Survey
  

• Leadership Training

While the Bonner Scholars Program is not narrowly designed as a leadership program, it does expect participants to prepare and take on leadership roles in their service. Students are trained in skills that help them perform these leadership functions. Participants are expected to attend a two or three day orientation, regular meetings, enrichment and training workshops, and regional gatherings of students from different schools. In addition, many Bonner students attend and present at regional, national, and international conferences.

Related links:
- Civic Engagement Training Modules
- Reflections by Bonner Scholars on Leadership Training
- Excerpts from Bonner Student Impact Survey Results

• Financial Aid

While service is the major focus of the Bonner Program, it is also designed to provide financial assistance to individuals pursuing their educational dreams. Most students in the Bonner Program receive financial assistance either from the Bonner Foundation, Federal Work-Study, or other forms of need-based financial aid. The Bonner Program seeks to ensure that the work expectation within students' financial aid packages is met through community service rather than a campus-based position.

Related links:
- Summary Description of Bonner Scholarship Award
- Guidelines for Allocation of the Bonner Scholarship Award
- Excerpts from Bonner Student Impact Survey Results