June 7, 2016 – June 10, 2016
In the beginning of June, Bonner Scholars and staff members from colleges and universities across the United States gathered at the Summer Leadership Institute, the largest annual event hosted by the Corella and Bertram Bonner Foundation (www.bonner.org) for students in the Bonner network. The goals of this conference included networking, creating plans to improve individual Bonner programs, and growing as individuals and a community. This year the theme was “Scaling Up!” chosen by Maryville College Bonners in reference to the motto Rev. Isaac Anderson, founder of Maryville College: “Do good on the largest possible scale.”
At the Summer Leadership Institute, students and staff attended workshops and discussions to reflect on their individual Bonner programs, learn from other programs, and create plans for the future. Four Bonner Scholars and 7 staff members/AmeriCorps VISTA members from The College of New Jersey were in attendance, three of whom facilitated workshops.
The Director of the TCNJ Bonner Institute, Paula Figueroa-Vega, focused on the importance of reflection in her workshop titled “Finding Hope: From Transition to Transformation”. She went over different coping techniques, and what worked best for the TCNJ Bonner Institute’s transition after tragedy. Michael Nordquist, interim Executive Director of the Center for Community Engaged Learning and Research at TCNJ, explained the importance of having a strategic plan, and how and when to create one with his workshop, “Developing a Strategic Plan: Process, Problems, and Progress. Advanced Community Engaged Learning Program Specialist, Adams Sibley, participated in a session on the Bonner Foundation’s PolicyOptions initiative, and shared the successes of TCNJ’s PolicyOptions efforts.
The conference allowed students from more than 60 Bonner Programs throughout the United States to meet, connect, and compare ideas. Students left with a clear understanding of how other programs run, and how their methods can be applied to their own programs. Furthermore, there was a focus on political engagement due to the upcoming presidential election, and students learned how to involve their peers in the election.
TCNJ Bonner Scholar Emily Adcock reflected on her positive experience by stating: “Being together with representatives from all Bonner Programs was just incredible. It is so interesting how each program is so drastically different, yet there is such a strong sense of community among everyone. It is refreshing to be in a room filled with people who are all striving towards the same thing: to make an impact and change the world.”
Overall, the Summer Leadership Institute was an amazing experience for TCNJ Bonner Scholars and staff members. They will be using the tools that they received and the plans developed at SLI to further the Bonner Institute’s Impact during the upcoming year and beyond.
TCNJ Bonner Community Scholars, housed in the Bonner Institute for Civic and Community Engagement at TCNJ’s Center for Community Engaged Learning and Research, provides scholarship support to more than 100 students who participate in a student development program while giving back to their communities through community service and capacity building. Part of the Bonner Foundation’s national network of Bonner schools, TCNJ’s Bonner Community Scholars program completed its 11th year at TCNJ in 2016. For more information, see cce.tcnj.edu/bonner/