Berry College, Bonner Alum, Dr. Emily Melchior (16C), has established herself as a prominent figure in animal health research, serving as the Manager of Global Outcomes Research at Zoetis Animal Health. She is recognized for her contributions to ruminant microbiology and nutrition, and she actively supports young professionals through mentorship and her involvement in various organizations.
Davidson College, Bonner Scholar, Hannah Lieberman ’18 wrote, directed and performed Hysterical, a one-woman comedy musical exploring topics of relationships, identity and her family’s history of inherited ovarian cancer. Her hustling brought her to QED, a small arts venue in Astoria, Queens, New York, and, for at least the last decade, the only woman-owned and operated venue in the area.
TCNJ’s Bonner Community Scholars Program launched 20 years ago, it started with just 12 Bonner Scholars — students who commit to 300 hours of community service annually in exchange for needs-based scholarships. Now, with close to 100 participants each year, the TCNJ program is one of the largest and most successful in a nationwide network of Bonner college programs.
In celebration of Elaine Wheeler's retirement, we honor her invaluable contribution to the Bonner Foundation. Her commitment and mentorship have been instrumental in our growth as a Foundation and the Network we have today. As she embarks on her retirement, we celebrate her legacy of dedication and look forward to the path she has paved for us.
With over three decades sharing campus examples, guides, and documents to download, the Bonner Foundation is excited to announce a recently updated Bonner Resources Wiki.
This summer, the five National Bonner Summer Interns at the Foundation — Anu Baskar (George Mason ‘24), Camila Guayasamin (The College of New Jersey ‘24), Dominique Dore (University of Houston ‘22), Mikaela Chin (High Point University ‘24) and Selah Ndouta (Capital University ‘22) — worked with the Foundation staff to refresh the look of the wiki’s homepage and, more importantly, update campus examples and other documents.
They devoted particularly attention to the Bonner Program Management and Community-Engaged Learning sections. In addition, Mikaela and Dominique also created a short video on how to navigate this wealth of knowledge.
Rutgers University, Bonner alum Tyler Seville advanced his health policy career through the Executive Master of Public Administration program at the Fels Institute of Government, where he leveraged his background in community service to establish a partnership that supports future leaders in public service. His journey demonstrates the value of flexible graduate education for working professionals and the impact of mentorship in fostering civic engagement.
Bonner Scholar, Jay'Shun Mathews '28, a sophomore at Morehouse College is making a national impact as Founder and Executive Director of the Black Youth Empowerment Network (BYEN), a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to empowering Black youth through leadership and community engagement. Since its founding in 2024, BYEN has grown into a movement of over 500 members across 25 states, earning Mathews recognition on the HBCUniverse 30 Under 30 list and two Rice Awards nominations. His work exemplifies Morehouse's values of service, innovation, and impact, proving that the next generation of leaders is already making a difference.
Berry College, Bonner Alum, Dr. Emily Melchior (16C), has established herself as a prominent figure in animal health research, serving as the Manager of Global Outcomes Research at Zoetis Animal Health. She is recognized for her contributions to ruminant microbiology and nutrition, and she actively supports young professionals through mentorship and her involvement in various organizations.
Rutgers University Bonner, Prachi Shashidhar, founded Cooking for Camden, a student-led nonprofit organization that works with members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Market Street, where meals are provided to guests who visit the church. She developed the project while taking a “First-Year Forum” course taught by Lee Ann Westman, director of the Honors College at Rutgers-Camden and later transferred to Rutgers New Brunswick .
Davidson College, Bonner Scholar, Hannah Lieberman ’18 wrote, directed and performed Hysterical, a one-woman comedy musical exploring topics of relationships, identity and her family’s history of inherited ovarian cancer. Her hustling brought her to QED, a small arts venue in Astoria, Queens, New York, and, for at least the last decade, the only woman-owned and operated venue in the area.
The 2025 Bonner Fall Network Meeting convened November 10-13 at the Claggett Center in Adamstown, Maryland, bringing together 100 administrators, faculty, and partners from 52 institutions across the Bonner Network. Addressing the theme Rooted in Partnerships, United in Purpose, the gathering provided a space for professional development, strategic planning, and community building as staff and faculty from across the Bonner Network explored how their work with civic learning and community engagement addresses critical challenges facing campuses, communities, and the nation.
Centre College Bonner, Cate Boyette, class of 2028, faced an epilepsy diagnosis that challenged her educational path. Seizures, chronic migraines and long stretches spent homebound made school nearly impossible — even requiring her to repeat her junior year. These experiences ultimately deepened her appreciation for education, classmates and teachers.
Lindsey Wilson University's Bonner Scholars Program celebrated its 20th anniversary, honoring founder Elise Hendrickson Luckey and the program's remarkable impact on the community. Over two decades, 204 Bonner Leaders have contributed more than 380,000 hours of service, generating an economic impact exceeding $11.2 million. The program, anchored by seven core values known as "Common Commitments," has created a culture of "Bonner love" that continues to guide students and alumni in their service work. At the anniversary celebration, Luckey received the inaugural Founder's Tribute Award, and the Elise Hendrickson Luckey Bonner Scholar Endowment was established to support future students.
Centre College's Bonner Program students and faculty are actively addressing homelessness in Danville by assembling emergency kits for those in need, while also contributing to the formation of the Boyle County Homelessness Coalition and a transitional housing project through community-based learning courses.
The 2025 Fall Bonner Congress brought together approximately 120 Bonner Scholars and Leaders from 60 institutions for a transformative weekend focused on "Engage Now, For Our Shared Humanity." Held at the Loyola University Chicago Retreat & Ecology Center, the event featured intensive strategy sessions where students developed action plans, explored career pathways through the "Purpose to Paycheck" workshop, and connected with graduate school partners and National Bonner Alumni Advisors across eight career sectors. The Congress showcased student-led workshops, a national partner fair, and networking opportunities that empowered participants to translate their civic engagement into marketable skills and sustainable campus program improvements.
Five Bonner students have been nominated for the prestigious Campus Compact 2025–2026 Newman Civic Fellowship, recognizing their exceptional commitment to civic leadership and community engagement. The fellows represent diverse institutions and focus areas including housing insecurity, environmental justice, reproductive rights, and youth political engagement. Their work exemplifies the power of student-led change in addressing critical social issues and building a more equitable society.
The Bonner Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Harrill as its new Vice President for Operations and Strategic Initiatives. He brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership in both the US and Europe, as well as a passion for community engagement that aligns closely with the Foundation's mission and values.
The Bonner Foundation hosted the 2025 New Staff Orientation at Princeton Theological Seminary, welcoming twenty-five new staff and faculty from eighteen higher education institutions to learn about building and managing Bonner Programs, fostering community partnerships, and enhancing community-engaged learning practices.
Alaynna Kriz, a nursing major and Bonner Leader at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, is dedicating her summer to establishing a free health clinic in St. Cloud, which is set to open in August. She is researching community health needs and preparing undergraduate nursing students for their roles at the clinic, aiming to create a beneficial environment for both the clinic and the students involved.
At the 2025 Bonner Summer Leadership Institute, more than 450 attendees gathered at the University of Richmond from June 15 to 18. This year was especially meaningful as we marked the 35th Anniversary of the Bonner Program. Since its founding in 1990, the Bonner Program has grown from a visionary idea into a vibrant, nationwide movement committed to access to education, community-engaged learning, and social justice.
Olivia Upton '25, a Bonner Leader at the University of Lynchburg, has developed an environmental education curriculum for Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Nature Center. As part of her Bonner legacy project and Westover Honors thesis, Upton combines hands-on curriculum development with scholarly research in environmental education. Her work at the nonprofit day camp includes creating educational activities for school field trips and coordinating volunteer experiences. Upton's project not only serves immediate educational needs but also builds capacity for future program expansion at the camp.
At Washington and Lee University, three Bonner students made a significant impact on global healthcare accessibility through an innovative digital mapping project. Working with the Street Medicine Institute (SMI), they developed the first comprehensive international database of street medicine providers. This groundbreaking tool, created under the mentorship of Bonner Program Director Marisa Charley, now helps healthcare professionals worldwide better coordinate care for unsheltered populations. The project exemplifies how student-led initiatives can create meaningful change while inspiring future careers in accessible healthcare.
Meet our 2025 National Bonner Summer Interns! Michael Deem Jr. from Rider University brings his expertise in film and storytelling, while Spelman College's Olivia Gray focuses on advancing educational equity. Oberlin's Joseph (JP) Liddy contributes his experience in event coordination and community building, and Centre College's Kayla Rogers brings her passion for policy advocacy and civic engagement. Together, these talented student leaders will support the Bonner Foundation's mission while gaining valuable professional experience in the nonprofit sector.
This spring, the Bonner Foundation is excited to launch the eight career sector pathways as a new resource part of the Bonner Career Connections initiative. Intended for students, staff, alumni, faculty, and other career services professionals, these resources aim to aid individuals in their career readiness, find interesting opportunities, and network with professionals and Bonner alumni in their field.
Explore the eight sector pathways, connect with Bonner alumni in these fields, and learn more about the Bonner Career Connections initiative at https://www.bonner.org/career-connections.
Maranda C. Ward, Ed.D., MPH, Spelman College Bonner Scholar ‘02 Alum has been awarded Campus Compact’s Ernest A. Lynton Award for the Scholarship of Engagement. Dr. Ward is the assistant professor and director of the Equity Department of Clinical Research and Leadership at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
