Six undergraduate students and two staff from the University of Hawaii at Hilo Bonner Leadership program recently traveled to Ewing, New Jersey, to attend the 2022 Bonner Summer Leadership Institute, held June 16-19.
Bonner’s goal is to “work towards transforming students, communities and campuses through service.”
Representatives from 52 colleges and universities across the Bonner Network gathered at The College of New Jersey to participate in this first in-person Bonner event since 2019.
The six students who attended the conference as UH-Hilo’s first cohort of the Bonner Program included:
• Amena Tep, a senior majoring in political science and administration of justice, from Dallas;
• Isabella “Bella” Chapman, a senior majoring in marine science and minoring in political science and English, from Rome, Georgia;
• Carley Atkins, a junior majoring in Hawaiian studies, from Hilo;
• Devin Brown, a junior majoring in geography, from Seattle;
• Evonne Fronda, a junior majoring in accounting, from Waikoloa;
• Lavinia Manufekai, a senior majoring in political science and administration of justice, from Hilo;
The conference was centered around a theme which celebrated the resiliency and strength of the Bonner community and return of in-person national Bonner gatherings.
The plenary sessions and elective workshops covered student leadership development, community-engaged learning, salary negotiation, social action, and more. Participants were provided opportunities to network with other students and staff through a variety of social activities and excursions.
The Summer Leadership Institute is an annual event that is hosted by one of the institutions in the Bonner Network.
The UH-Hilo Bonner Leader program will introduce a second cohort for fall 2022.
The current Bonners will serve as mentors, and both groups will work together to shape the program for future students.
