George Mason Bonner Leaders are part of the national Bonner Foundation Network of college students who are committed to community service and social justice.
Mason's Bonner Four-Year Developmental Path
The Bonner Leadership Program’s student development model is designed to challenge and support students throughout their four years through an experiential learning model. Starting their first year at Mason, Bonner Leaders are oriented and immersed in exploring personal and interpersonal identity, the local and at-large community, and the program’s structure and expectations. Through a combination of course work and community engagement activities, students will evaluate the relationship between identity and place, and learn how to identify social problems and address questions within society. Each year the program builds upon itself, allowing students to lead, take more responsibility, and think more critically about their community experiences.
With the help of their Bonner advisor, Faculty advisor, and Community Partner, Bonner Leaders will create a research question addressing a social issue of their choice by the end of their Sophomore year. The research question will be the cornerstone to designing and conducting an in-depth study, culminating in a Mason Impact designated Legacy Presentation their Senior Year.
The Bonner Leadership curriculum aligns with the Mason Impact focus area, Community Engagement and Civic Learning, by allowing Bonners to participate in local, regional/state, national, or global community partnerships in the public or private sector that involve a mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge, resources, or services. Along with the active participation with a community agency, Bonners are also encouraged to pursue minors within the School of Integrative Studies or any other minor program at Mason that aligns with the students' research interest. Beyond the Bonner requirements, students are expected to satisfy all requirements of Admissions, their college and major credit hours.