Over 120 Bonner Scholars and Leaders gathered in Woodstock, Illinois (outside of Chicago) at Loyola University Chicago Retreat & Ecology Campus from Oct 11-13 for an inspiring and engaging three days. The 2024 Bonner Congress theme was “Everybody, Everyday: Leading the Way.” How do we mobilize our peers? What structures, resources, and support do we need for every student on campus to have deep and developmental community engagement experiences? Students from more than 60 institutions shared and explored strategies for leading at all levels. They delved into ways that they provide leadership within their Bonner Programs, organize campus-wide engagement, and foster connections to post-graduate careers and opportunities.
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The conference opened Friday evening with a session that focused on our experiences in growing as leaders. Student keynote speaker, Halle Gensler, Bonner Senior Intern at Berea College, shared her story and strategies for engaging with community residents in rural Kentucky. Three Bonner alumni speakers, Aranxa Parra ‘22, Centre College, Fletcher York ‘21, Earlham College, and Maria Flores ‘20, DePauw University offered insights from their post-graduate journeys, especially in navigating graduate school choices, finding meaningful work, and staying civically involved around issues. As students reflected there was a sense of community and a way forward.
This is normally the part of the semester where I start to get overwhelmed thinking about what comes next. However, in talking to other students and alumni throughout the weekend, I realized that it's okay to not have every little thing figured out. I have time to do that - and I'm looking forward to taking that time." — Taylor Easter, Bonner Leader from Widener University
The session was emceed by Jeniffer Gonzalez Reyes, Bonner Foundation Program Manager and alum from Guilford College, and Bonner Congress Student Planning Committee members, Ryan Vaughan, Bonner Scholar from Emory & Henry University, and Taylor Easter, Bonner Leader from Widener University. In a fun activity, participants creatively shared their values and walked away with a deepened vision on how we work together to advance common goals.
Saturday was filled with three strategy sessions led by Bonner Foundation staff. Students attended all three, working in campus teams to prioritize actions steps for back on campus. Jeniffer Gonzalez Reyes and Ryan Vaughan facilitated a session on “Navigating Leadership Roles and Impact in Your Bonner Program.” Students assessed their existing leadership structures, discussed internship roles, and shared challenges and solutions with one another.
“As a facilitator at this year's meeting, I had the opportunity to host meaningful discussions with others about community, belonging, and the identity we have as civically engaged students in a world that can seem against at times. As an attendee, I had the opportunity to hear from other Bonners about the issues facing their communities and how they are working to rise above them. There was a clear sense of both trust and hope at Bonner Congress this year--a trust and hope I will carry with me for a long time to come.” — Ryan Vaughan, Bonner Scholar from Emory & Henry University
Ariane Hoy, Vice President, Cliff Davis, Operations & Special Projects Coordinator, and Taylor Easter, Bonner Leader at Widener University and 2024 National Bonner Intern, facilitated sessions on “Student-Led Campus Wide Engagement.” Students discussed two useful approaches for promoting broader student engagement. One focused on how to create and leverage Bonner Foundation support for additional student positions, such as for outreach, communications, managing partnerships, and campus-wide service events. The second focused on how to build a campus-wide coordinating council with student representatives from clubs and organizations. Students looked at models from existing centers, such as Macalester’s 12 student positions and Davidson’s Council.
“As a student and facilitator, this year's Congress was extraordinarily special for me. During the track sessions, I interacted with our campuses in small clusters, learning about the intricacies of campus-wide engagement practices across the network. It was really rewarding to come full circle and watch the work I'd done this summer come alive. Throughout the weekend, I was able to reflect on my journey as a person, as a student leader, and as a Bonner. It was really transformative to look back and see how far I've come.” — Taylor Easter, Bonner Leader from Widener University
The final strategy session focused on “Maximizing Career Connections through Service and Skills” led by Liz Brandt, Director of Community Engagement, and Rachayita Shah, Director of Community Engaged Learning. This session engaged students in thinking about how their service work prepares them for future careers. Students also explored ways to strengthen this work on campus, such as by planning nonprofit career fairs or building partnerships for more training with Career Services.
Saturday also featured twelve workshops that showcased models and best practices across the network. Student leaders from Berea, Macalester, Slippery Rock, and other campuses engaged students in bringing their passions into service, applying feminist ideas within their community engagement, and building sustained campus-wide programs. Representatives from national and graduate school partners, like Career Spring and the Food Recovery Network, also showcased their platforms and resources. Workshops tackled issues such as “Stereotype Elegy: Place, Belonging, and Community in Appalachia” to “Beyond the Ballot: Reframing Mobilization in our Communities.” Check out workshop materials on our Meetings Archive page on the Bonner Wiki.
Taylor Easter, Bonner Leader from Widener University, presented on how to use power mapping and SMART goals to work on initiatives back at home.
On Saturday, students expanded their professional and career networks, meeting with representatives from national nonprofit organizations and graduate schools during a Networking Fair. These organizations offer scholarships and special benefits for students and alumni. Students connected with organizations including the School for International Training (SIT) which offers immersive, field-based study abroad programs for undergraduates and the University of Pennsylvania Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership Program (NPL) which provides Bonner Scholars/Leaders, alumni, or staff who are successfully admitted into the program a guaranteed $10,000 one-time scholarship.
Bonner Congress would not be complete without community building and social activities. This year included Bonner Trivia, puzzle building, Minute to Win it, coloring, and games. The conference wrapped up on Sunday with an “Power Mapping and Action Planning” session, led by Taylor Easter. by the end of Action planning there was an immense amount of passion and gratitude among students as we approached our closing session.
"There truly is no better feeling than when a group of Bonners have the opportunity to be together--you can feel it in the air. From participating in engaging discussions during workshops and presentations to meeting community partners at the networking fair, Bonner Congress is and will continue to be special for many reasons.” — Ryan Vaughan, Bonner Scholar from Emory & Henry University
A final closing session provided a chance for participants to write a letter to themselves for the future and provide affirmations to each other through Taps, a community building activity. The Bonner Foundation shares gratitude to everyone who helped make the 2024 Bonner Congress a special, impactful conference.
Click the button below to view pictures that Ryan Vaughan and Liz Brandt captured during the 2024 Bonner Congress.