Explore

Who are you?

Student
Faculy or Staff
Community Partner

The Office

Helpful Links:

Calendar
Service Verification Form
Volunteer Request Form

The Warren Wilson College Bonner Program

What is the Bonner Community Leaders program?

The Warren Wilson Bonner Community Leaders program is supported in part through the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation, which provides funding, training and technical assistance to community service and service-learning scholarship and leadership programs at colleges and universities across the eastern United States. The mission of the Bonner Foundation is to transform the lives of students, their campuses and local communities through providing access to education, and the experience to serve. 20 Warren Wilson students participate in the Community Leaders program, and their efforts are centralized through the College's Service-Learning Program. As a student crew in the Warren Wilson College Work Program, Community Leaders dedicate 15 hours per week to the establisment and leadership of community engagement activities such as co-curricular and service-learning projects, alternative break trips and issue education workshops.

What are some of the benefits of the Bonner Program?

Participate in a two-year leadership program
Attend state and national conferences
Engage in one to two summer internships
Join Bonner Americorps and receive up to two, 2-year AmeriCorps Education Award tuition vouchers worth $2300 each (optional)
Serve the community outside of WWC up to 10 hours each week
Gain professional development through events planning, academic service-learning, and engaging the campus community in current issues regarding the environment and other social causes
Work to develop a strong relationship with the agency of your choice

Bonner Community Leaders: The Basics

Each Bonner Community Leader is required to:

Serve on the Service-Learning Crew for at least two years;
Attend orientation and training programs in late August (for first-year students only);
Complete a week-long group service trip with other Bonners in the program;
Complete one to two-280 hour summer internships with a national or international non-profit organization;
Make satisfactory academic progress and conduct themselves on and off the campus in a manner that repectfully represents the College and the Bonner Scholars Program;
Complete an additional 50-100 hours of service above and beyond the 100 hours required to graduate and the time earned on the work crew

Bonner Community Leaders and the WWC Work Program

A Bonner Community Leader at Warren Wilson will be placed in the Service-Learning Program as their work crew assignment, and will work a total of 15 hours each week. Bonners spend part of their 15 hours of work in the office, and the rest of their crew time in the larger community participating in and leading service projects offered to the entire student body. The Service-Learning Crew also designs and creates special events on campus to raise awareness around social justice issues such as HIV/AIDS, diversity education, and environmental concerns.

How can I become a Bonner Community Leader?

Generally, students must have a demonstrated commitment to service in order to become a Bonner Community Leader. Applications are available from Debra Kiliru: debrak@warren-wilson.edu. Applicants will be asked to include two letters of reference from people who have seen you working in group situations, working with children, or with whom you have worked closely. Applicants will also undergo an interview process with Service-Learning staff and students.

We typically choose Bonners based on the following:

Student's overall motivation, experience, and commitment to service in general with a specific commitment to tutoring and mentoring*
Strong interest in learning how to work, learn, plan, and play well as a cooperative contributing member of a team
Commitment to working on the Service-Learning Crew for 2 years

*Warren Wilson College has partnered with several educational organizations in the community to wrap services around Western North Carolina youth. While there will be many opportunities for various types of service during a student's four years at the school, the Bonner experience at Warren Wilson College has a strong focus on tutoring and mentoring in the community.

Want to know more?

I am the crew boss and would be happy to help you any way I can. I can be reached via phone (828-771-3775) or email (debrak@warren-wilson.edu). I highly recommend that you visit our campus so that I can meet you and introduce you in person to the Bonner Community Leaders who make this possible. For campus visits, please contact Monique Cote at the Office of Admission, 1-800-934-3536, and tell her that you are interested in the Bonner Community Leaders program and in meeting me. I look forward to working with you!

Sincerely,

Debra Kiliru

Contact:

Debra Kiliru, Service-Learning Crew
Warren Wilson College
Campus Box 6326
P.O. Box 9000
Asheville, NC 28815-9000

Email: debrak@warren-wilson.edu
Phone: 828-771-3775
Fax: 828-771-3052

For Admission Information: 1-800-934-3536