Former Deputy Director

Abby Kiesa served as the Deputy Director and Director of Impact at CIRCLE (the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement for two decades. In this role, and prior to it with Campus Compact and Break Away, she illuminated effective strategies for youth and student civic engagement. Abby is an incredible scholar and activist.

“Abby is a strong, courageous, and thoughtful researcher, advocate, and educator. She has provided effective leadership on many levels, from the way she engages one-on-one as a friend and coach to the way that she provides direction and insight to larger strategies for change.”

— Ariane Hoy, The Bonner Foundation

Vice President for Program and Resource Development

An ardent advocate of civic engagement in higher education, Dr. Ariane Hoy works tirelessly to mobilize students, staff, and faculty into working with community and developing a culture of civic engagement at their institutions. Her experiences as a student volunteer in East Palo Alto community were instrumental in shaping her identity as a community engaged practitioner and scholar. Her research focuses on institutionalization of community engagement and its potential to support student success, post-graduate careers, and the effectiveness of higher education. She has made an impact with her scholarly contributions (Deepening Community Engagement in Higher Education: Forging New Pathways (Palgrave 2013); Civic Engagement at the Center: Building Democracy through Integrated Co-curricular and Curricular Experiences (AACU 2008)) and continues to help advance the field with her leadership and membership in various national organizations and coalitions. 

“Dr. Hoy’s fierce leadership, scholarship, and commitment have strengthened the field and inspired countless students and colleagues nationwide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.”

— Rachayita Shah, The Bonner Foundation

Professor of Psychology and Faculty Fellow

Ariane Schratter has been at the forefront of engaged teaching and learning for more than two decades. She was an early advocate for faculty involvement in community-based research. As Faculty Fellow, she has helped transform Maryville College, guiding professional development and the creation of engaged majors and pathways.

“Ariane is a thoughtful, balanced, and grounded educator and leader. I always appreciate the way she shows up in any space, listening carefully and bringing positivity and perspective. She has brought a trauma-informed lens to her teaching and discipline. Ariane is kind, creative, energetic, and fun!”

— Ariane Hoy, The Bonner Foundation

Director of Community Engagement and Assistant Professor of Practice in Community Engagement

Dr. Castel Sweet serves as the director of community engagement and assistant professor of practice in community engagement at the University of Mississippi. In this capacity, she embeds herself in the community, breaks down silos, and cultivates relationships that are transformational. With her scholarship, she has helped establish curricular and co-curricular programs such as the Community Engaged Fellows, a Community Engaged Leadership Minor, and a place-based immersion. With her scholarship, she brings to the surface the enduring legacy of inequity and guides individuals to imagine new possibilities for the future. She was recently awarded Campus Compact’s Nadinne Cruz Community Engagement Professional Award for her leadership and justice-oriented work and now the Bonner Network is taking this moment to celebrate her contributions and commitment to the field. 

Professor, Department of Psychology & Director, REACH (Research on Engagement, Adjustment, and Community Health)

Dr. He Len Chung exemplifies the spirit of the Engaged Scholar Award through her deep commitment to community-engaged research, scholarship, and action that bridges academic inquiry and public impact. Over the course of her career, Dr. Chung has developed a robust body of work that reflects authentic partnerships with communities to co-create knowledge and drive meaningful change, especially in the areas of youth development, civic engagement, and public health. Her publications highlight a consistent focus on collaboration, community empowerment, and equity-centered practice. From exploring short-term service learning and civic engagement to studying creative arts in afterschool programs and peer education for urban youth, Dr. Chung’s work demonstrates scholarly rigor and social relevance. Notably, her contributions to scholarship on sustainable campus-community partnerships position her as a thought leader in the field of engaged scholarship. Dr. Chung’s approach is interdisciplinary, practice-informed, and community-driven. She not only researches with communities but also actively builds systems and structures that support their long-term success. Her scholarship continues to serve as a model for how academic work can catalyze community transformation and advance justice. In addition to her scholarship and teaching, Dr. Chung has also served as a CEL faculty fellow for many years and has been instrumental in improving assessment practices and faculty development. Dr. He Len Chung is a true engaged scholar—collaborative in spirit, rigorous in method, and committed to positive social change.

“Dr. He Len Chung is a dedicated engaged scholar whose community-based research advances youth development, civic engagement, and public health. Her collaborative scholarship produces actionable knowledge in partnership with communities, exemplifying how academic work can drive social change and build sustainable campus-community relationships.”

— Brittany Aydelotte, The College of New Jersey

Professor, Psychology

Dr. Jennifer Bragger and Dr. Laura Lakusta, psychology professors at Montclair State University bring a strong research background and a wealth of experience in leadership development. They received a prestigious National Science Foundation award to longitudinally investigate how service experiences influence leadership. They applied Theory of Mind to study Bonner students’ leadership development and are continuously analyzing data to shed light on aspects of the Program that contribute to students’ growth as leaders. Their research will continue to offer valuable insights on leadership through community and civic engagement.

Bonner Scholar

Jules exemplifies the spirit of an Engaged Scholar. She has an impressionable vitae of research as an undergraduate and among this cohort has conducted the most community-based research, consistently approaching her work with a socially conscious and justice-oriented lens. Her recent project, developed in partnership with Bonner Jazmine Barrera, Engagement, Enthusiasm, and Empowerment, a reading initiative for Academic Sports Academy in Trenton, was selected for the Signature Session at our campus’s most recent Celebration of Student Achievement. Jules will be pursuing her doctoral studies at Tufts University, where I'm certain she will continue her commitment to research that uplifts communities. I am proud to know that she will carry the values of the Bonner program into the next chapter of her journey, embodying engaged scholarship in all she does.

“Jules is truly a grounded and compassionate researcher and scholar whose work is shaped by purpose and compassion. Her career in research is bright and we are lucky to have witnessed the beginning of her impact!”

— Althia and TCNJ Bonner Team

Director of Community-Based Learning for LALIS

Dr. Vazquez is a teacher-scholar with a focus on theoretical learning. Her classes combine theoretical work and experiential learning. Her Spanish in the Community courses are well-respected and beloved by students. She has published on this pedagogy work including an article in University Museums and Collections Journal on her innovative work using Museo Ambulante (traveling museum). For this project, students use museum objects to curate a local experience in Spanish with local community members. In this article, she and her co-author show how this creates student learning autonomy that is a step towards emancipation and creates inclusivity. She also co-published an article with her students discussing the relationship between the pandemic, domestic violence, and intersecting structures of inequality that became more visible with the pandemic. Dr. Vazquez's work shows the highest degree of collaboration and reciprocity with her community partners as she co-creates new knowledge and shares her insights for social impact.

“We at the University of Richmond are so lucky to have such a dedicated teacher-scholar in Dr. Vazquez who continually demonstrates the highest standards of community engagement.”

— Derek Miller

Director of Spatial Analysis Lab and Teaching Faculty

Dr. Kyle Redican in the best possible ways blurs the lines of expertise between students, faculty, and community members to explore key questions affecting our community. For several years, he has been working with a local neighborhood association to understand the impact the construction of a highway in the 1950s through the neighborhood impacted that neighborhood. He has brought his sophisticated knowledge of the census to the decade long Unpacking the Census project that seeks to make census data accessible to local community groups in their advocacy work. His expertise is key in maximizing the potential of that project. Through it all, he is working with his collaborators to ask new and innovative questions, design new methodologies, and create new ways of understanding our region.

“The University of Richmond is so fortunate to have somebody with Dr. Redican's expertise and his curious and open-nature. Not only do our students benefit, but Dr. Redican's dedication to community engaged work ensures that our region benefits as well.”

— Derek Miller, University of Richmond

Professor, Psychology

Dr. Jennifer Bragger and Dr. Laura Lakusta, psychology professors at Montclair State University bring a strong research background and a wealth of experience in leadership development. They received a prestigious National Science Foundation award to longitudinally investigate how service experiences influence leadership. They applied Theory of Mind to study Bonner students’ leadership development and are continuously analyzing data to shed light on aspects of the Program that contribute to students’ growth as leaders. Their research will continue to offer valuable insights on leadership through community and civic engagement.

As Director of Community Engagement at the Bonner Foundation, Liz supports a national network of 75 colleges and universities including teams of administrators, students, faculty, and leadership. Through planning of national conferences, resource and curriculum development, conducting campus visits, leading strategic planning and visioning, cultivating and managing strategic partnerships with graduate schools, facilitating learning cohorts and communities, supporting grant-making, and identifying and sharing best practices and models, she works to enhance civic and community engagement initiatives and strategies on campuses. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Sociology at Centre College where she was a Bonner Scholar. Liz earned her master’s degree in Higher Education with concentrations in Administration & Leadership and Educational Policy from Drexel University. Her thesis is published in the Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement (2022) where she studied the barriers and pathways for Community Engagement Professionals (CEPs) to thrive in higher education. She was selected as a 2022-2023 Engaged Scholar with Campus Compact and is currently serving as a Student-Centered Engagement Research Fellow for the Community Engagement Professional Competency research project with Campus Compact. Liz’s areas of expertise include community engagement strategy and leadership, program development and management, higher education, student development and leadership, capacity building, and professional development.

Assistant Professor of Environmental and Health Sciences

Dr. Nataki Osborne-Jelks is a driving force in environmental health and justice, distinguished by her deeply impactful community-engaged research. As an Assistant Professor in the Environmental and Health Sciences Program at Spelman College, her work rigorously investigates environmental exposure disparities, implements vital community-based interventions, and innovatively applies methodologies like GIS and spatial epidemiology. What truly distinguishes Dr. Osborne-Jelks is her profound and steadfast dedication to genuine community collaboration. She ensures the lived experiences and invaluable expertise of the community members are central to shaping every stage of her research, from its conception to its real-world outcomes. Her leadership advances scientific understanding of vital environmental health issues while empowering communities to advocate effectively and be informed in achieving environmental justice for all.

“Dr. Nataki Osborne-Jelks, your unwavering dedication to environmental health and justice has touched countless lives. Your collaborative spirit and innovative research have empowered so many in the community. Thank you for your inspiring leadership and heartfelt commitment to making a real difference.”

— Mellonee Axam

Professor

Nick Longo has been a long-time scholar and activist for student and youth voice in the higher education service movement. In his prior role at Campus Compact’s Raise Your Voice Campaign, he grounded the work in deep approaches for educating for democracy. As a professor and educator, he brings creativity and zeal to his teaching, research, and service work with colleagues.

“I’ll always remember the times we have been able to collaborate on innovative work to advance the field, Nick. From Raise Your Voice, the COOL Movement Summit, writing on Students as Colleagues, and more, I appreciate your integrity, commitment, and humility. Thank you for leading with love and kindness.”

— Ariane Hoy

Director of Community Engaged Learning at the Bonner Foundation

Rachayita Shah found the Bonner Network through a faculty mentor at Florida Atlantic University, where she was working on a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction. She was already an Engaged Scholar, having developed and taught teachers and students, working especially on multicultural education. In 2018, she joined the Bonner Foundation as Community Engaged Learning Director, where she especially focuses on faculty development and engagement, assessment, and new resources and curriculum.

“Rachayita brings a passion for the Bonner Common Commitments, drawing on her deep international experiences. Growing up in India, Rachayita has been consistently involved in serving people and communities. She is an engaged listener, bringing a sharp, open mind to each situation and person. Rachayita is dedicated and thorough, continually striving to learn, grow, and lead through her words and actions.”

— Ariane Hoy

Program Director, Student Leadership and Financial Well-Being

Dr. William Teer serves as Program Director, Student Leadership Programs and Financial Well-Being at University of Mississippi Center for Community Engagement. His dedication to student success and community engagement is evident in his current role and research endeavors. He recently defended his dissertation, which focused on the role of service-learning programs in supporting continued undergraduate enrollment. This phenomenological qualitative study offered insights into how service-learning can influence persistence and how service-learning programs can be used as a strategy to improve student retention on their campuses. He was recently recognized by ALL IN Campus Democracy Challengeas a 2025 Standout Administrator for his work in increasing college students’ voting rates. Thank you Dr. Teer for your contributions and emerging scholarship. 

Professor, History

Dr. Robert McGreevey exemplifies what it means to be an engaged scholar. His teaching, scholarship, and service consistently reflect a deep commitment to the Bonner Common Commitments—civic engagement, community building, diversity, international perspective, social justice, spiritual exploration, and wellness. Through his community-engaged research, teaching, historical inquiry, and advocacy, Dr. McGreevey bridges academic excellence with public purpose. As a professor of history at The College of New Jersey, Dr. McGreevey consistently integrates Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) into his courses, creating reciprocal partnerships with local organizations. His recent collaboration with the William Trent House Museum allowed students to conduct oral history projects and prepare applications for historical markers for the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail—amplifying marginalized voices and preserving critical local histories. He has served as a CEL Faculty Fellow and remains a tireless campus advocate for community engagement, regularly speaking in public forums and advocating for civic learning. Dr. McGreevey was instrumental in completing TCNJ’s recent application for reclassification under the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, helping to document and elevate the institution’s commitment to public impact. He also played a key role in revamping the First-Year CEL requirement and developed a foundational lecture for all incoming students on TCNJ’s local history—including redlining and school desegregation—rooting their college experience in place-based understanding and social awareness. Dr. McGreevey’s most recent book, Borderline Citizens, reflects his scholarly depth and engaged methodology. The book explores U.S. colonial power, Puerto Rican migration, and contested definitions of American citizenship in the early 20th century. By analyzing the legal struggles and agency of Puerto Rican migrants within an imperial framework, he sheds light on the enduring intersections of race, labor, migration, and law. His work not only advances historical scholarship but offers powerful insights into contemporary debates on citizenship, belonging, and justice. Dr. Robert McGreevey’s scholarship, teaching, and leadership model what it means to be an engaged scholar—producing knowledge with and for communities while advancing equity and justice in both the academy and society.

“Dr. Robert McGreevey is an engaged scholar whose teaching, research, and service advance community partnerships, social justice, and civic learning. His work with local history projects, leadership in CEL initiatives, and scholarship on Puerto Rican migration exemplify how academic inquiry can inform and empower communities while deepening public understanding.”

— Brittany Aydelotte