Bonner Leaders Program
Established in 2013, the Bonner Program is intended to heighten the overall education students receive at Wagner College. This intensive, multi-year program asks students to engage in ongoing civic and community-based work and helps them develop the experience, skills, knowledge, and values necessary to make their work meaningful and lasting. Grounded in civic engagement, students have opportunities to get involved with on-campus initiatives, faculty projects, and the vibrant Staten Island community.
Part of a national organization, Bonner Leaders at Wagner join the Bonner Foundation’s mission to “transform students, communities, and campuses through service.” As participants in the program, Bonners have access to this national network through conferences, program visits, and leadership committees.
Designed to enhance the students’ academic experiences by fostering real-world, community connections, the Bonner Program is made up of a unique cohort of driven and committed students. Marrying the Civic Engagement Minor with this community immersive program allows students to graduate with a holistic skill set to best prepare them to be emerging leaders in their field.
We invite you to navigate the page to learn more about the Bonner Program. Please take advantage of our learning opportunities below.
2024-2025 Bonner Leaders
- Emily Chavela
- Andrea Cruz Camacho
- Humaiara Europa
- Jareb Goldston
- Miriam Owda
- Artan Shaini
- Sakara Streeter
- Asia Wickramanayake
I am currently a freshman and planning on majoring in Nursing.
My Current Bonner Project: I work with La Colmena in the Port Richmond community. As a member of the organization, I am learning about the economics of the community.
How did you decide on your current civic engagement project? I learned that I desire to help people, and when I am helping, it makes me feel like I play an essential part in my society. I am passionate about lending a hand and helping others to strive.
What next for you? I plan on working with La Colmena; however, I look forward to doing something in the medical field. 
Hello. My name is Andrea, and I am a freshman planning to major in International Affairs and minor in pre-law. I am originally from Brooklyn and am Mexican-American.
My Current Bonner Project: I am an intern with Catholic Charities, an organization that helps refugees and immigrants settle into a new environment. As a job developer, I will help them acquire a job in this new environment and work closely with the community.
How did you decide on your current civic engagement project? Ever since I was little, I wanted to be a helpful person. In high school, I realized that the best way I could be helpful was through civic engagement. I enjoyed learning about how a community could help its individuals through places like a soup kitchen or donation rooms, so naturally, I started to gain a passion for helping and serving others, and I also began to realize the importance of listening to the community and needs of others in order to improve a community effectively, and that’s what I hope to do through the Bonner program.
What’s next for you? I plan to continue to work with Catholic Charities to help serve the community and serve the needs of individuals. 
I am a sophomore and a second-year Bonner Leader. My major is Biology, and I am also in the Commuter Student Club.
My Current Bonner Project: I work with Professor Lori Weintrob at the Holocaust Center.
How did you decide on your current civic engagement project?Being a Bonner Leader and attending meetings, I learned that there are different types of Bonner Leaders, and they have their own unique way. I figured out what type of leader I am by learning more about how to use my strengths and work on strengthening my weaknesses. What’s next for you?
I want to attend medical school in the city and work on my residency there. I want to stay in contact with the Bonner Program for future events in the health field.
I am a sophomore with a pre-nursing track major. I am from Brooklyn, born and raised, and I enjoy helping the community around me by any means necessary.
My Current Bonner Project: I am currently involved with Napela, a non-profit organization where I help Liberian immigrants with their literacy or help them to obtain their citizenship.
How did you decide on your current civic engagement project? I discovered that I have a strong desire to serve others and that feeling of being a vital member of my community comes from doing so. Napela grabbed my interest since I have personal experience with how challenging it can be to go to a new nation, attempt to learn the language and seek citizenship without assistance.
What next for you? I aim to enroll in nursing school and earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing. In the interim, I intend to continue working with the Bonner Program. 
I am a Bonner Leader and junior at Wagner College, majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry with a minor in Civic Engagement and Chemistry on the Pre-Med track. I am president of Wagner College’s Chapter of the Food Recovery Network and the president of Wagner College’s Pre-Health Society.
My Current Bonner Project: I work with the Food Recovery Network, which collects leftover food from the Dining Hall and partners with Project Hospitality to distribute the recovered food to those in need. As part of my work, I’m also focused on reintroducing a food pantry to campus so students and staff facing food insecurity can access what they need when on campus.
How did you decide on your current civic engagement project? I have always wanted to help people, whether it is my community alone or a larger population. I plan on helping more people as I pursue a career in the medical field. I have started helping people in this field since becoming an EMT.
What’s next for you? I plan on attending Medical School after I graduate from Wagner College and continue to help people along the way. 
I am a sophomore majoring in Math and Childhood Education, born and raised in Staten Island. I am also excited to be a part of the Bonner Leaders Program this year.
My Current Bonner Project: I work with Wagner Composting on campus. As a member, I recycle organic materials into compost, which enriches soil and the quality of plants, fruits, and vegetables. I also focus on educating others about our environment and encouraging them to make a positive impact through efforts like composting.
How did you decide on your current civic engagement project? Growing up, I have been deeply grateful for my family, friends, teachers, and support systems for providing me with the opportunity to listen and learn from them. Their actions, empathy, and dedication to my success have helped me realize that others, including those who are there for us, face similar challenges and might also need support. This realization inspires me to give back, as I believe we can all serve, listen, learn, and benefit from one another. Helping those close to me and others makes me happy, which continues to impact who I am today.
What’s next for you? I want to continue helping the community in any way I can, while applying the lessons I have learned to my education, experiences and connections.
I am a sophomore pre-nursing track with a civic engagement minor. I am Staten Island, born and raised. I come from a proud Sri Lankan immigrant family. I enjoy expanding the world around me, whether it is by watching documentaries or volunteer work.
My Current Bonner Project:I am vice president of the Wagner Food Recovery Network (FRN). FRN aims to combat food insecurities and waste by repackaging leftover dining hall food and redistributing it to local food pantries. As vice president, I attend to food recoveries and ensure that operations run smoothly while collecting data. In addition, as part of the Civic Engagement Community of Practice Grant, I am the project coordinator of La Colmena, where I work hand in hand with Professor Sanchez and her students, who all work with elementary school children in the Port Richmond community.
How did you decide on your current civic engagement project? Growing up, my parents always told me to treat others how I wanted to be treated. Along with other lessons from my parents, this encouraged me to start volunteering within my community by starting at the trauma center for RUMC. The endless impact of being civically engaged brings a feeling of warmth, knowing I am helping people within my community.
What’s next for you? As I advance academically, I am hoping to enter the nursing program and be able to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Meanwhile, I hope to revive the BonnerProgram and be able to extend my time to other civic engagement initiatives sustained on Wagner’s campus. Interested in becoming a Bonner Leader?
The application to be part of the Bonner Leaders Program Class of 2028 cohort is open. Contact José Reyes or Dr. Bernadette Ludwig to chat about opportunities and how to be part of the Bonner Program by reaching out to schedule a virtual meeting at the email address below.
Bonner Leaders Program application.
Dr. Bernadette Ludwig
Associate Professor
718-390-3487 bernadette.ludwig@wagner.edu Parker Hall 210Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of Civic Engagement
pronouns: she/her
Taviare L. Hawkins, Ph.D.
Associate Provost for Academic Affairs
718-420-4047 taviare.hawkins@wagner.edu 4th floor UnionPassionate educator and researcher. Service-centered advocate for the participation of women and people of color in STEM.