on
campus

The Bonner Leader Program Begins Second Year and Welcomes New Students

The Bonner Leader program is going strong into its second year, welcoming seven new members, for a total of 17 students.

In the Bonner Leader program, students dedicate six to eight hours to service each week and participate in leadership training throughout their four years at Wilkes. The goal for each student is to focus on one volunteer site, build a relationship with the program and its staff and to bring awareness of the service organization back to the Wilkes community.

“Seeing two cohorts come together and then realizing the impact we can have on the community as this program continues to grow is so beautiful and inspiring. The dedication these students bring with them to serve their community certainly makes my job easier. I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to see where we go from here,” said Catie Becker, Bonner Leader Program coordinator.

Last year Bonner Leaders completed over 1,200 hours of community service and partnered with six local organizations: the McGowan Center for Hispanic Outreach, Ruth’s Place Women’s Shelter, the VA Medical Center, Volunteers in Medicine, the Wilkes-Barre YMCA and the Wilkes University Colonel’s Cupboard.

Group of 16 Bonner Leaders in matching shirts posing on campus
Front row: Marytere Quintana-Avila ’25, Scranton, political science; Dhruvi Shah, ’28, Scranton, pre-pharmacy; Bhavika (Nikki) Dawar ’25, Sparta, N.J., biology/pre-medicine; Ada Soriano ’25, Wilkes-Barre, pre-pharmacy; Second row: Amelia (Mia) O’Connor ’25, Brooklyn, N.Y., nursing; Brenda Arias ’25, Hanover Township, hospitality leadership; Alexis Nardone ’25, Rockaway, N.J., early childhood education; Julia Bouder ’26, Lancaster, English; Abigayle Smith, ’25, Plymouth, digital design and media art; Edweana (E) Alexis ’25, Saylorsburg, political science; Third row: Sarah McAndrew ’26, Lake Ariel, nursing; Megan Rozanski ’26, Clairton, neuroscience; Gabrielle Moore ’26, Erie, political science; Aleczia Britt ’26, Pottsville, computer science; Emily Blaine ’27, Shavertown, pre-pharmacy; Maria Medina-Martinez ’26, Hazleton, financial investments; Not pictured: Stef Rosas ’25, Reading, neuroscience.
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