Are you an advocate? A curious citizen? Ready to make an impact?
At Wilkes, you will be a changemaker and a leader when you join the Bonner Leader
program!
If you have a passion for public service and a desire to be a positive force in your
community, Wilkes University’s Bonner Leader program can help you build the skills
you need to lead the charge for change. Inspired by the motto "Access to Education, Opportunity to Serve," Bonner alumni share their talents on a local, national, and global level.
This unique work-study experience blends community service with enrichment and development
activities. The program provides financial support for your undergraduate education
and promotes:
Leadership
Self-awareness
Professional skills
You’ll join a nationally acclaimed, service-based initiative. From its introduction
by the Bonner Foundation in 1990, the Bonner Leader Program has grown to a multi-faceted
civic engagement and leadership program hosted by a network of more than 70 colleges
and universities. Wilkes University is the only school in NEPA to provide this opportunity.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but you are encouraged to apply early.
Seats are limited in this program.
Each year, the University will select only eight to ten incoming first-year students
via a competitive application process.
You must be admitted to Wilkes University to apply.
You must qualify for federal work study to be eligible for the program.
Finalists will be invited for an interview with the advisory board. Students selected
into the program will be notified shortly thereafter.
Questions?
For questions regarding the Bonner Leaders program, please contact:
Wilkes University seeks diverse applicants who want to make their corner of the world
a better place.
You may be eligible for the Wilkes Bonner Leader program if you...
Possess a fierce desire to change the world.
Demonstrate active service involvement in your high school or community.
Will be an incoming first-year student in the fall semester.
Have submitted a FAFSA to Wilkes University.
Are eligible for a federal work-study award and demonstrate financial need.
Preference will be given to...
Those with high school grade-point average of 2.75 and above.
Individuals from diverse backgrounds, including first generation college students.
Recipients of Wilkes University Colonel Emerging Leader Award.
The Bonner Leader program offers transformative advantages to you, the Wilkes campus
and the surrounding area.
Students who are accepted into the Bonner Leader program qualify for a scholarship
of $2,000 per year, which is distributed at the end of each semester ($1,000 per semester).
These funds are in recognition of the required program service, training and reflection
each week.
Gain valuable work experience, leadership skills and career insight by engaging in
progressively more challenging and meaningful training and community service activities.
Develop an appreciation for experiences of those different from you.
Become an essential part of peer and staff support that cultivates a stronger sense
of belonging on campus.
Have the opportunity to participate in regional and national conferences.
Network with other members of this nationally recognized program.
Become an active leader on campus and in the community.
Travel across America on service trips that explore and impact different communities.
Participation in the Bonner Leader Program is a four-year commitment to yourself,
your campus and your community.
Commit to 6-8 hours per week of direct service in the community.
Participate in weekly training and enrichment activities.
Assume leadership roles in various on-campus civic engagement initiatives.
Participate in cornerstone activities, including the first-year spring break trip
to Washington, DC, and second-year exchange with Bonner Leaders from other schools.
Present a senior capstone project during the spring semester of your final year in
Bonner.
Year-by-Year Overview
First year Bonners spend six to eight hours a week serving at a community agency that
matches their interests and passion for making a difference. They also spend time
each week in formal education, training, and reflection sessions with other students
in their cohort.
Leaders participate in an alternative spring break service trip in Washington, D.C.
as their first-year cornerstone activity.
In addition to direct service work and cohort sessions, second year Bonners begin
to assume more expanded leadership roles on campus, within the Bonner program, and
at their service sites.
They also participate in the "second-year exchange" cornerstone activity with sophomore
Bonners from other schools, sharing ideas, building community, and providing service
outside our region.
While continuing participation in the periodic cohort educational sessions and trainings,
juniors and seniors take on more significant capacity-building projects within their
service sites. Third year Bonners have the opportunity to travel to places like Hawai’i
to engage with other Bonner schools and conduct service work that is quite different
from the typical sites in NEPA.
As a fourth-year Bonner, leaders complete a capstone project that connects knowledge
from their academic studies and Bonner sessions to their direct service experiences.
This cornerstone activity celebrates the commitment and successes over four years;
community partners, faculty and staff, and friends and family are invited to the seniors’
presentations of learning as we celebrate the completion of their capstone and official
graduation from the Bonner Leader program.
Meet Our Bonner Leaders
Fourth-Year Bonner Leaders
Our first cohort of graduating senior Bonners shared their capstone projects with
the campus community. Here is an overview of the amazing, diverse impact they've made
over four years in the Bonner Leader Program at Wilkes and the legacy they're leaving
at our community partner organizations.
2025 Cohort Capstone Projects
Edweana Alexis
Empathy in Action | Luzerne County Youth Aid Panel
Created training videos for parents and educators about coaching children through
difficult scenarios.
Brenda Arias
“House of Hope” Video | Ruth’s Place
Prepared an informational video about the numerous resources provided through the
women’s shelter.
Emily Blaine
“Bringing Back the A in STEAM” | SHINE After School Program
Developed art curriculum and coordinated art projects with SHINE students and their
families.
Julia Bouder
Outreach Resources | Maternal & Family Health Services
Created videos and training guides for staff and volunteers who provide community
outreach programming.
Bhavika Dawar
Healthy Smiles Program | Volunteers in Medicine
Developed displays and training tools for daycare students to learn about proper dental
care.
Gabrielle Moore
Women’s Empowerment | Dress for Success Luzerne County
Facilitated projects to support women’s success through life skills classes and professional
coaching.
Alexis Nardone
Academic Resource Development | SHINE After School Program
Developed academic resources and worksheets for SHINE students.
Amelia O’Connor
Maternal Mortality Programming | Children’s Service Center
Developed educational materials for people in community groups who need substance
use support during pregnancy.
Marytere Quintana-Avila
Colonels EMPOWERed Program | Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce
Conducted research about supplemental ESL programming for Wilkes students to feel
prepared for life after graduation.
Abigayle Smith
Newsletter Development | Queer NEPA
Created a website and newsletter to distribute information and promote events.
Ada Soriano
Community Health & Wellness Fair | Jericho Community Center
Coordinated an event to inform the Hispanic community about available resources.
Third-Year Bonner Leaders
Sarah McAndrew
Sarah McAndrew
Hometown: Lake Ariel, PA
Major: Psychology
Adrianna Aziz
Adrianna Aziz
Hometown: Reading, PA
Major: Pharmacy
Alivia (Liv) Foster
Alivia (Liv) Foster
Hometown: Sellersville, PA
Major: Psychology
Second Year Bonner Leaders
Caitlyn (Cait) Maslar
I chose Bonners because I love to help. Being a part of my communities is a big deal
to me and I want to try my best to leave a lasting impact everywhere I go. Bonners
gives me the opportunity to do all that and more.Caitlyn (Cait) Maslar
Hometown: Exeter, PA
Dual Major: Elementary & early childhood education / special education
Analiese Monteiro
I desire to be a beacon of light in the world and to serve others. I believe this
program will help me become a strong leader and create a lasting impact on those around
me.Analiese Monteiro
Hometown: Hartsdale, NY
Major: Pre-pharmacy program
First-Year Bonner Leaders
Alex An
Alex An
Hometown: Lancaster, PA
Major: Biology/Pre-med
Thaelis Andujar
Thaelis Andujar
Hometown: Wilkes-Barre, PA
Major: Nursing
Ian Padden
Ian Padden
Hometown: Laurel Run, PA
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Joanerys Perez
Joanerys Perez
Hometown: Scranton, PA
Major: Criminology
Arthur Walsh
Arthur Walsh
Hometown: Mayfield, PA
Major: Psychology
1 of 8
Universities in PA, and the only university in Northeast PA, to offer Bonner Leader
8 - 10
Paid workstudy hours each week for program service, training, and reflection
4
Years gaining valuable work experience, leadership skills and career insight within
the program
