Montclair State University Hosts 2023 Summer Leadership Institute

300 Bonner student, faculty, staff and administration leaders from 75 universities converge on Montclair to focus on community-engaged learning

More than 300 students, staff, and faculty members from 55 colleges and universities within the Bonner Network attended the 2023 Bonner Summer Leadership Institute hosted at Montclair State University from May 31 to June 3, 2023.

The theme for the conference was "Together Towards Tomorrow: Juntos Lo Logramos.” These words celebrate the abilities and strengths of the Bonner community in service, community engagement, and social justice. The theme highlights the idea that we have connection and community through a network of colleagues, alumni, and professionals. As the Bonner national network, we can work together to build a better and more equitable future for the hundreds of communities we serve. This theme also emphasizes the importance of interdependence and diversity.

Montclair State University, as a Hispanic Serving Institution (with more than 50% of the student body identifying as Hispanic or Latinx), strives to uplift the Bonner Common Commitments. The Bonner Leader Program at Montclair State University started with just four students in 2009. Since then, the program has expanded to include 40+ students each year and grown in its capacity to serve local communities under the leadership of Bryan Murdock, Associate Vice President for Community Partnerships and Krystal Woolston, Assistant Director, Center for Community Engagement.

During the first night's session, participants discussed how higher education can be used as a tool to create positive social change in communities. Mariana Luna Martinez, Bonner Leader '24 at Montclair State University, expressed her emotions while reflecting on all her accomplishments through her years as a Bonner, a Montclair student, and a Latina woman.

“Growing up in a surrounding community near Montclair, SLI being held at Montclair State definitely met my expectations. I appreciate uplifting motions done to support these communities and small businesses.”

— Nereida Delgado, Montclair State University Bonner Leader ‘25

Jonathan Koppell, Montclair State President, shared his vision for academic institutions supporting and enriching their communities through equal collaboration. Other speakers included Nellie Pou, NJ State Legislator for 35th District; Krystal Woolston, Director of the Bonner Program at Montclair State University; and J. P. Liddy, Bonner Scholar '26 at Oberlin College, who concluded the night with a simple reminder, “Just have fun.”

And according to many, that we did.

The next morning’s all-group session “Investing in Place and People: Local and Global” included speakers like Keonna Elliott Bonner Leader '26 High Point University, Baye Adolofo-Wilson CEO of BAW Development and Hitchliffe Stadium Neighborhood Restoration Project, Ali Boak Director of Montclair Global Center for Human Trafficking, and Kate McCaffrey Professor at Montclair State University. They shared their perspectives on place-based initiatives, such as the Maryvale One Square Mile Initiative, and how civic and community engagement sustain partnerships within communities.

“I enjoyed listening to the President of Montclair speak about the university's commitment engaging with the surrounding communities like Paterson, NJ. As a Bonner who serves in their own community, creating new non-profits has never been the answer to improving service work. I would like universities to use themselves as a system integrator within the surrounding communities they serve”

— Rashel Bernal-Reyes, Rutgers-New Brunswick Bonner Leader ‘23 and National Foundation Intern

There were three student track workshops, “Past: My Bonner Experience, Present: Strategies for Taking Action, and Future: Bonner & Beyond.” Jeniffer Gonzalez Reyes, Program Manager for the Bonner Foundation, supported and co-facilitated these workshops with the national foundation interns. These workshops challenged students to reflect on what change they are creating now and what life after Bonner can look like. During the “Past” track, students collaborated on a visual concept map of what Bonner means to them with Bonners they have just met. In the “present” track, students discussed about their methods for activating change in their communities and campuses with available student initiative grants within Bonner. The “Future” track included a Bonner alumni panel, facilitated by TCNJ ‘24 Bonner Scholar and National Intern.

“I am incredibly thankful for everyone on the Montclair State University planning committee, at the Bonner Foundation, and on our alumni panel. It was a special honor to introduce my friend Horacio Hernandez, a recent TCNJ graduate with an MPH. Leading the session, I wanted every Bonner to feel engaged and energized so that when they started creating connections with alumni, they would feel comfortable sharing their experiences and aspirations.”

— Bryan Wood, The College of New Jersey Bonner Leader ‘24 and National Foundation Intern

Additionally, programming supported the professional development of campus administrators and faculty in their work to support civic and community engagement, student development, and institutional change. Through the Pathways to Public Service track, staff and faculty reflected on the myriad of ways that their programs and institutions are educating students for participation in democracy. Guest speakers included Carol Geary Schneider, President Emeritus of AAC&U and Senior Advisor to the Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Coalition; Caryn McTighe Musil, Distinguished Fellow at AAC&U and author of A Crucible Moment; Kathie Shiba, Assistant Dean of Equity at Maryville College; and Kayla McKay, Bonner Leader at Siena College.

“The SLI was a buoyant, productive, and joyous experience, and I know how hard it is to create that result.”

— Carol Geary Schneider, President Emeritus of AAC&U and Senior Advisor to the Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Coalition

Staff and faculty also discussed place-based frameworks for evaluating their institutions’ commitment to surrounding communities and best practices for certificates, minors, concentrations, majors, and general education change. Finally, staff also discussed their growth as Civic-Minded Professionals, drawing on scholarship in the field.

The conference offered three elective workshop blocks featuring 32 different workshops covering a variety of topics, such as social justice in public health, study abroad, queering spaces of civic engagement, empowering our communities, and more. Students chose whichever workshop that piqued their interest.

On Friday, Bonners met with over nineteen national partners and graduate schools at a national organization networking fair, which also included a resume review led by staff and alumni. Friday evening, everyone was encouraged to explore Montclair and the surrounding cities for dinner.

“The networking fair was definitely a highlight of the conference. I’m glad to have met some of our national partners, and I’m inspired by the many scholarships and other unique opportunities available to me as a Bonner.”

— Andy Huerta, Bonner Scholar at Rider University ‘24 and National Foundation Intern

Besides experiencing the rich culture of the surrounding cities, the Summer Leadership Institute included nightly social activities for students. These social activities included a Welcome Wednesday “Bond'fire”, Throwback Thursday “Carnival”, and Funky Friday “Prom!” The social activities are created by the host school and act as a form of community building between Bonners.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this year's SLI: The Bonner Foundation staff and interns, the Montclair SLI planning team, conference services, volunteers, faculty, and staff, national partners, graduate school partners, presenters and speakers, Bonner alumni and resume coaches.

“It’s always an honor to organize national Bonner conferences. The opportunity to bring together hundreds of students, engaged administrators and faculty, alumni, and partner organizations for deeper learning, connection, and community is a highlight of the year. I hope those who attended feel inspired and equipped with new tools and knowledge to strengthen their impact within their programs, on their campuses, and in their communities,”

— Liz Brandt, Director of Community Engagement at the Bonner Foundation.

Read more on Montclair State University website • June 2, 2023