2024 Deane Scholar Winners
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Hostile Terrain
Bonners with President Doggett
Hostile Terrain
Bonners visiting the Foundation
As an institution of higher education, Wagner College supports the development of a civically engaged academic environment by deepening relationships among students, faculty, staff, and community members through classroom, co-curricular, and place-based learning. In all of these contexts, it is vital to reflect critically on experience and to relate new insights to both local and global concerns.
At its best, college-supported civic engagement increases motivation to go on learning, raises civic consciousness and commitment, fosters empowerment through hands-on participation that addresses community-identified issues, and supports the continuous improvement of our overall quality of life.
The range of civic engagement options includes but is not limited to:
- Direct Service
- Place-Based Learning
- Internships
- Public Policy Advocacy
- Community Forum Participation
- Social Challenge Discussions
Programs, Projects, & Campus Engagement
The Bonner Leaders Program (BLP) is a national leadership and civic-engagement-based program where students are
introduced to various leadership and civic engagement opportunities critical for nurturing the growth and development of students academically, professionally, and interpersonal. BLP 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. It 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, the vibrant Staten Island community, the broader NYC area, and online opportunities.
The intersection of academics and practical experience upholds Wagner’s commitment to nurturing civically engaged students. Students have the option to enhance their academic journeys through community experience by minoring in Civic Engagement to develop a civic identity and provide future employers with concrete evidence of students’ commitment and experience in civic engagement.
Hostile Terrain 94 is an immersive exhibition featuring approximately 4,000 handwritten toe tags representing migrants who died crossing the Sonoran Desert from the mid-1990s to 2023. These tags are geolocated on a wall map of the Arizona-Mexico border, pinpointing where human remains were found. By writing out the names and information of the deceased, participants are invited to reflect, witness, and stand in solidarity with those who lost their lives in search of a better one.
This exhibit is displayed at over 120 institutions across six continents, aiming to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis at Americaâs southern border and to foster global conversations about migration.
How it Works
Volunteers at each hosting location participate in tag-filling workshops (come attend one, see schedule below), writing the details of the deceased and placing the tags on the map. Some tags include QR codes linking to migrant stories and related content, accessible via cellphone.
Want to learn more as a student? Interested in working on the exhibit? Register for the Spring Intermediate Learning Community (ILC) class: âThe Body and Communitiesâ (AN291, AH/AH 221, HI 240)
Project Pericles’ Debating for Democracy (D4D)⢠is a series of distinctive campus-based programs that represents the mission of Project Pericles in action. Wagner College students have participated in D4D Letters to an Elected Official Competition multiple years, and have been selected winners for their letters.
2022: “Urge to Pass Assembly Bill A7807: Establishment of LGBTQ+ Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Residentsâ Bill of Rights” to Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-NY) by Jacquline Guzman (’23) and Ava De La Cruz (’23)
2021: “Support and Make the For the People Act (SR.1) a Top Priority during the 117th Congressional Session” to Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) by Andrew Kolar (’22) and Seong Gillespie (’23)
2020: “Expand Legislation of FIRST STEP Act (H.R. 5682) to Restrict and Manage Mandatory Minimum Sentencing” to Rep. Max Rose (D-NY) by Rajiv Redd (’23) and Ahmad Lyons (’21)
WagnerVotes is a non-partisan community of Wagner College students, faculty, and staff dedicated to educating the student population on all aspects of the voting process. The organization understands voting to be an important element of civic engagement and works to engage students in democratic processes. WagnerVotes has spearheaded campus-wide voter registration and education programming.
The Food Recovery Network is a student-led organization dedicated to combating food insecurity and food waste in the Staten Island and Wagner College community. As an organization, we strive to raise awareness in the campus community about food waste. We hope to educate students about disparities in Staten Island and create a more informed student body. Our ultimate goal is to reduce food waste on campus in every aspect.
Students recover leftover food from the dining hall twice per week which is picked up by a local food pantry for community distribution.
Napela is a Staten Island non-profit that supports African immigrants through “a collective action to improve livelihood.” Students work with West African refugee and immigrant women on their literacy skills and studying for the US citizenship exam.
Here you can see the NY1 story highlighting Dr. Bernadette Ludwig and students’ involvement with Napela.
The Mentorship Program: Wagner College students have worked with elementary school children in the Port Richmond community. Students help the children of immigrants with their homework, work with them on any subject that needs reinforcement, and act as mentors.
Mentorship Program with immigrant children from Port Richmond