The New Jersey Bonner Program

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The New Jersey Bonner Program

• Access to Education,
• Opportunity to Serve.

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History of the New Jersey Program

• The New Jersey Bonner Program draws extensively
  on national experience of the Bonner Scholars
  Program which since 1990 has supported 1500 each
  year on 25 campuses
• The Bonner Leader Program the Bonner
  Foundations replication initiative was piloted
  in New Jersey in 1995.
• There are 70 Bonner Programs operating in 35
  states nationwide.
• In New Jersey, 12 community partners host 7
  full-time and 85 Bonner Leaders from three
  central New Jersey campuses (Rider, TCNJ, and
  Middlesex County College). .

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Implementation Areas
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Premise of the New Jersey Model
Access to education, Opportunity to
serve.
The Bonner Scholars Program was designed, in
part, to identify, support, and encourage
indigenous leadership Rather than encouraging
outsiders to come in to help, the Foundation has
tried to encourage and uphold student leadership
to serve and lead in their own communities.
Essay, 1996, Wayne Meisel
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Key Program Elements

• Retreats community building events
• 10 hours of service weekly during the academic
  year (300 hour total)
• Goal of at least one full-time summer of service
• Intensive training and enrichment activities
• Consistent reflection
• Advising and mentorship
• Increasing levels of leadership and
  responsibility, in service and on campus

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The Common Commitments
Civic Engagement Participate intentionally as a
citizen in the democratic process, actively
engaging in public policy and direct service.
International Perspective Develop international
understanding that enables Bonner Scholars to
participate successfully in a global society.
Social Justice Advocate for fairness,
impartiality and equality while addressing
systemic social and environmental issues.
Community Building Establish and sustain a
vibrant community of place, personal
relationships and common interests.
Diversity Respect the many different
dimensions of diversity in our public lives.
Spiritual Exploration Explore personal beliefs
while respecting the spiritual practices of
others.
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The Skill Sets
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The Developmental Roadmap
Expertise
Academic linkages (Service-learning, CBR, minor,
major certificates)
Example
Experience
Co-Curricular Activities (Training
Enrichment, Reflection, and Advising)
Exploration
Expectation
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Development through Action
Expertise
Culminating project or capstone Academic
connection Future-focused
Sustained involvement in service and in community
is the core of the model
Example
Continued development of focus demonstrated
knowledge and skill as project coordinator Possibl
e third summer (abroad or career connection)
Experience
Development of greater focus commitment to one
agency and type of placement Exchange Summer in
a new area
Exploration
Exposure to the neighborhood, agencies, issue
areas and types of placements Service
Trip Summer in the hometown
Expectation
Prior experience in service including in ones
family
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Development through Co-Curricular Support
Expertise
Intentional focus on skills and knowledge
building
Academic Research Career planning
vocation Evaluation Networking Public
Speaking Skills for lifelong involvement
Example
Academic Connection Leading inquiry
reflection Personal and civic values Project
coordination Resource development
Experience
Critical thinking Diversity awareness Group
dynamics communication Project
planning Introduction to social issues/civics
Exploration
Community knowledge Personal exploration
reflection Setting goals Time management
Expectation
Introduction to Bonner Work ethic
professionalism
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Development through Academics
Expertise
Enhancing the rigor of students knowledge
development and learning
Internships Capstones
Example
Coursework (varying orders) As in experience
level International Internships
Experience
Coursework (varying orders) Poverty Politics
policy Issue related (education, arts, race,
etc.) service learning
Exploration
Lead-In Course
Expectation
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Middlesex County College

• 30 Bonner Leaders
• Faculty and staff support
• Project Based Approach

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Rider University

• 25 Bonner Leaders
• Housed in Student Affairs
• Team Based Approach

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The College of New Jersey

• Trenton Youth Services Corps
• Faculty support
• Introductory course
• Community-based research projects combined with
  direct service