Each summer, the Bonner Foundation welcomes motivated, passionate, and talented interns from our network of over 75+ Bonner programs. During this seven-week internship, these young people will leverage their Bonner Program and broader leadership experience to support the national Bonner Network through new resource development and assisting with the planning and facilitation of the 2024 Bonner Summer Leadership Institute, this year hosted at Oberlin College from June 7-10. This summer, Bonner National Interns will focus key strategic initiatives including curriculum development, student coalition building, supporting career connections, video creation, and researching models for service-based scholarships.
We are excited to welcome these five exceptional 2024 Bonner National Interns:
Ariel Castillo ‘26
Stetson University (Deland, Florida)
Digital Arts Major
Originally from Masaya, Nicaragua, Ariel Castillo is a rising junior at Stetson University majoring in Digital Arts and minoring in a Certificate of Community Engagement. Within the Bonner Program, Ariel had worked with DeLand Pride, a non-profit LGBTQ+ organization, allowing them to embrace a part of their identity and aid their community at the same time. They are currently working on an anti-disinformation campaign with DeLand Pride as well as consulting from a youth social media perspective.
Abria Doe ‘24
Stetson University (Deland, Florida)
English Major
Abria Doe is a third year, senior at Stetson University majoring in English with the Certificate of Community Engagement minor. She is originally from Sanford, Florida. Within the Bonner Program, she has served as a site-based team leader at Black Homeschoolers of Central Florida and an Issue-Area Leader for the weekly training and enrichment meetings. Two projects that she has completed during her time was revising the Standard Operating Procedures and creating a skills-based training guide for incoming Bonners at her site.
Taylor Easter ‘25
Widener University (Chester, Pennsylvania)
Political Science and Sociology Double Major
Taylor Easter is pursuing her double major in Political Science and Sociology at Widener University. Her active participation in the Bonner Program as the Political Engagement Coordinator has allowed her to plan and implement programs for voter registration and civic engagement. She has also shown her dedication to research and data analysis as a Research Assistant in the Department of Political Science. Taylor is a Resident Assistant at Widener University and a National Programming Intern at Campus Vote Project.
Ryan Vaughan ‘25
Emory & Henry College (Emory, Virginia)
Candidate in Media & Communications and Civic Innovation Double Major
Hailing from the mountains of the Greenbrier Valley in Lewisburg, West Virginia, Ryan Vaughan is entering his fourth year at Emory & Henry College. A Bonner Scholar and Civic Leader Scholar, Ryan is excited to join the Bonner Foundation as a national intern for the summer of 2024. A graduate of the School of The New York Times (‘19), Ryan uses his digital storytelling skills in media and communications to tell stories of people that otherwise might not get told.
Bryan Wood ‘24
The College of New Jersey (Ewing Township, New Jersey)
Biology - Secondary Education Major
Bryan Wood, a New Jersey local, is a senior at the College of New Jersey, studying Secondary Education - Biology. With a lifelong love of performing, Bryan's first experience with non-profit work began when he served as a fundraising coordinator for Phillipsburg Area Summer Youth Theatre. As a Bonner Scholar, Bryan served as the Bonner Leadership Team President and volunteered at Urban Promise Trenton as a mentor and tutor.
Each year, the responsibilities of the Bonner National Interns differ but they consistently gain experience in event planning, resource development, and strengthening the capacity of the national Bonner Network. The interns closely collaborate with members of the Bonner Foundation staff on diverse projects, and receive opportunities for mentorship, networking, and both personal and professional growth.
The Bonner Foundation is thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with these young leaders and innovators, and feels confident that their contributions will have a significant and enduring effect on the Bonner network.
You can read each intern’s full bio on our Bonner Foundation staff page.