Become a leader in service and social change.
Lynchburg is one of 70 Bonner network schools, fostering strong character and leadership. The Bonner Leader Program, a partnership with the Bonner Foundation, places students in work-study roles at nonprofits, schools, or agencies for 10 hours a week. Through reflective exercises and educational programming, participants gain professional skills, deepen critical thinking, and develop a strong understanding of difference, power, and privilege.
Being a Bonner and an athlete or nursing major is possible. We have had many nursing students and some athletes succeed in the program. We strive to accommodate their needs about their academics first and their commitment to athletics or nursing, all while being a Bonner.
To become a Bonner Leader, you must complete the Bonner Leader application. Applications for Bonner are reviewed on a rolling basis. We begin to offer acceptances on April 1 for the following academic year. The application will remain open until our incoming cohort is full.
Contact the financial aid office to find out if you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
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Upon acceptance to the Bonner Leader Program, students receive instructions about New Bonner Orientation. Dependent upon the academic calendar, New Bonner Orientation will either take place in June preceeding or following a summer SOAR session, or Bonner Leaders will move in early in August for orieiontation before Hornet Days.
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Upon acceptance to the Bonner Leader Program, students receive instructions about New Bonner Orientation. Dependent upon the academic calendar, New Bonner Orientation will either take place in June preceding or following a summer SOAR session, or Bonner Leaders will move in early in August for orientation before Hornet Days.
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Our weekly Bonner class help us connect and support each other. In class, we develop leadership skills and learn about our community and the populations we will work with as Bonners. Bonners receive 1.5 credits per semester for their Bonner class. Each semester builds up on previous semester to support Bonner Leader development over four years.
If you do not qualify for federal work-study you can still apply to the Bonner Leader Program. The University of Lynchburg has additional sources of funding to support campus work-study. We aim to have 75% of participating students qualify for federal work-study funding.
The developmental model aims to move Bonners from direct service to a capacity-building or a social action capstone project during their four years at the University of Lynchburg.
The Bonner Leader Program is a four-year commitment. Through the four year commitment we create sustained partnership with community non profts that allow supervisors to fully invest in and meaningfully mentor Bonner Leaders – developing personal and professional skill and intentionally building their resume.
Each year, Bonner Leaders complete 240 hours of internshp and 60 hours of class. This equates to roughly an 8-10 hours a week commitment.
Bonner Leaders focus on the following issues within our community:
We think there are many reasons to consider Bonner, but here are just a few:
The Bonner Leader Program offers students the opportunity to grow personally, professionally, and as engaged community members through meaningful service and leadership experiences.
Bonner Leaders become part of a supportive campus community that values service, reflection, and social change. Through strong relationships with peers, faculty, staff, and community partners, students build connections that extend well beyond their time at the university.
As part of the national The Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation network, Bonner Leaders also join a nationwide community of students and alumni committed to service and civic engagement. These connections often lead to internships, career opportunities, mentorship, and lifelong relationships.
Bonner Leaders are passionate about addressing social justice issues and creating positive change in their communities. If you are looking for a meaningful way to serve, lead, and make a difference, the Bonner Leader Program may be a great fit for you.
