2022 Bonner SLI Planning Team
Approximately 290 Bonner students, staff, faculty, and other individuals from 52 colleges and universities across the Bonner Network gathered at The College of New Jersey from Thursday, June 16 to Sunday, June 18th to participate in the 2022 Bonner Summer Leadership Institute. The theme for the conference was “The Comeback” which celebrated the resiliency and strength of the Bonner community and return of in-person national Bonner gatherings. It also reflected the resilience of individuals across the network, especially during the past few years of the pandemic, economic challenges, racial injustice, and other adversity. The College of New Jersey Bonner Program was founded with just a handful of ambitious students in 2004 under the leadership of the late Pat Donohue. The program has grown to be a landmark of the TCNJ and Trenton community with now over 90 Bonner Scholars serving across 20+ community partner organizations and growing each year. This Bonner Summer Leadership Institute was important for many reasons, including continuing the legacy of founder and former director, Pat Donohue. It also held a special meaning to many individuals in the Bonner Network, including the Alumni Network Manger at the Bonner Foundation, Arthur Tartee Jr., who shared:
This Summer Leadership Institute was indeed a comeback for me as a native of Trenton. I would not have known about the Bonner Program if it was not for the TCNJ Bonner students when I was in high school – and for that, I am forever grateful.
From left to right: Dominique Dore, Selah Ndouta, Olympia Jorji, Tim Clydesdale, and Rob McGreevey
The conference featured two incredible plenary sessions. The opening night was “The Comeback: Roots of Our Passions” where we learned about our host campus, the history of the Trenton community, and the Bonner Network through inspiring speeches, including Rashel Bernal-Reyes Bonner Leader ’23 at Rutgers University – New Brunswick as the student keynote, Tim Clydesdale, Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies at TCNJ, Rob McGreevey, Professor of History at TCNJ, Althia Muse, Director of Bonner Institute at TCNJ, Leon Rainbow, local artist and activist from Trenton, and emceed by Dominique Dore, Bonner Leader ’22 at University of Houston and National Bonner Summer Intern, Olympia Jorji, Bonner Scholar ’23 at TCNJ, and Selah Ndouta, Bonner Leader ’22 at Capital University and National Bonner Summer Intern.
From left to right: Llamilet Gutierrez, Jasi Edwards, Mikaela Chin, Jacob Dillman, Fawad Mohammadi, Bella Chapman, and Anu Baskar
The Saturday morning plenary session “The Comeback: Resilient Communities and Places” featured three student keynotes, Bella Chapman, Bonner Leader ’ 23 at University of Hawai’i at Hilo, Jacob Dillman Bonner Leader ’24 at High Point University, and Fawad Mohammadi Bonner Scholar '24 at Oberlin College, as well as professionals and activists, including Jasi Edwards, Constituent Services Representative for NJ Congresswoman and local activist, and Llamilet Gutierrez, Assistant State Attorney in Maryland and Dickinson College Bonner Alum, in a town hall format discussing the ways in which they have strengthened communities and worked for greater equity and justice. This session was emceed by Mikaela Chin, Bonner Leader ’24 at High Point University and Anushri (Anu) Baskar, George Mason University ‘24, both serving as National Bonner Summer Interns. Anu shared:
Emceeing the all-group session and facilitating the community-building activities and the student-led track helped boost my confidence in presenting in front of a crowd and helped me make valuable connections.
The conference featured 22 engaging elective workshops on topics, such as anti-racist learning curriculum, mindfulness in leadership, salary negotiation, social action, and more. On Saturday participants had the opportunity to take part in a Networking Fair with over 15 Bonner Graduate School and National Partners as well as a Resume Review. Into Saturday afternoon, participants had the opportunity to immerse in the local community through a variety of activities, such as visiting the Bonner Foundation and Princeton, Juneteenth in Trenton, Grounds for Sculpture Art Exhibit, and the Trenton Farmers Market.
In addition to learning and skill-building, the Summer Leadership Institute was full of fun. Intentional community building activities included a Bonner speed dating and jeopardy game, a trip to the TCNJ campus garden, and identity and empathy building exercises. Each night included social activities, such as paint and sip, field games and DJ night, and a Bonner Talent Show! Camila Guayasamin, TCNJ Bonner Scholar, member of the TCNJ SLI Planning Team, and National Foundation Summer Intern, took lead on planning and facilitating the social activities, including emceeing the talent show. Camila reflected on these experiences:
Planning sessions, leading the social activities, and being part of SLI 2022 has been one of the most transformative experiences as a Bonner Scholar. I feel incredibly privileged to have worked alongside a group of dedicated individuals.
Mikaela Chin, National Bonner Summer Intern appreciated playing a role in helping plan and facilitate the community building and social activities. She enjoyed seeing individuals form bonds through these experiences.
Attending SLI for my second time, as a facilitator instead of a student attendee, provided me with a new perspective on the importance of SLI. It was rewarding to see attendees from the sessions and workshops I co-facilitated continuing their meaningful conversations after the conclusion of sessions, and forming friendships during the social activities.
We hope everyone who took part in the 2022 Bonner Summer Leadership Institute had a great time. A huge thank you to everyone who made SLI a success: the Bonner Foundation staff and interns, the TCNJ SLI planning team, conference services, volunteers, faculty, and staff, national partners, graduate school partners, presenters and speakers, and resume coaches. Liz Brandt, Community Engagement Director at the Bonner Foundation, shared:
Part of what makes the Bonner community special is that we gather together to share ideas, support one another, inspire, commiserate, and build bonds that can last a lifetime. I am grateful to everyone that participated in this SLI and cannot wait until the next Bonner gathering.
The full printed program found here and photos can be found on the Bonner Love Facebook account here. You must be “friends” with Bonner Love to see the photos.
