Bonner Leaders Class of 2017 Selected

The Campus Y has announced its 2017 class of Bonner Leaders. The Carolina Bonner Leaders Program (BLP), launched in 2011, is a part of a nationwide network of more than 80 colleges and universities to support ongoing undergraduate student participation in volunteer service and social justice. The program is funded by federal work-study funds earmarked for community service.

Each year, a diverse group of first-year students of high financial need are chosen through a competitive application process that emphasizes service and leadership. This year 14 Bonner Leaders were selected from a pool of 39 applicants. The BLP currently has 39 undergraduates.

The program follows a student development model in which they make four-year commitments to a local, community partner. Students begin as volunteers and are empowered to grow into project and site coordinators, and eventually emerge as leaders in program management, public policy analysis and community-based research. Students are required to complete 200 service hours each year, including weekly meetings, leadership workshops and capacity building seminars.

The Class of 2017 Bonner Leaders will join a group of 25 current Bonners. The majority of Carolina Bonner Leaders are from North Carolina, but the program includes students from across the U.S., including California, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

2017 Bonner Leaders

Edward Diaz, Cabarrus
Rashiidah Richardson, Cumberland
Elliot Chen, Guilford
Samira Dahdah, Guilford
Oscar Menzer, Guilford
Jason Urbano, Guilford
Whitney Edmonds, Halifax
Shaza Gaballah, Johnston
Sarah Howard, Orange
Jemeia Kollie, Georgia
Crystal Yuille, Maryland
Dianne Li, New York
Jessica Smith, Pennsylvania
Sarah Henderson, Virginia