The Bonner Leaders - University of Houston
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Leading in Service

The Bonner Leaders are students dedicated to improving lives in the community. They respond to the economic, social, and cultural challenges affecting the quality of life in the city of Houston.  The Bonners are top academic performers who learn by engaging in the community.  Through their project-based service, Bonner Leaders learn critical skills, including leadership, teamwork, project planning, and time management. Bonner students serve on one of seven Bonner projects aimed at alleviating the effects of poverty in Houston in the areas of education and food insecurity. 

UH Bonner is one of more than 70 Bonner schools across the country engaging students, faculty and staff, and community organizations to strengthen communities. Learn more about the Bonner network here.

The Bonner Commitment

Students admitted to the UH Bonner program undergo a rigorous four-year learning and growth experience including direct service, service leadership, capacity building, and social action work. They commit to serving 5-10 hours per week on their service initiatives and in personal and professional development trainings. Bonner Leaders are expected to pursue leadership positions on their service project and/or on program-wide initiatives, where they will receive strong mentorship and guidance from program staff. All Bonners are encouraged to complete a capstone project which integrates their identity, academic learning, and service-learning experience.

 

Celebrate 10 years of the Bonner Leaders Program at the University of Houston

Learn more and give to our anniversary scholarship here: www.thehonorscollege.com/anniversary

Student tutoring

We are now accepting applications for our 2024 cohort of incoming freshmen! Limited spots are also available for rising sophomores. We are not currently accepting applications from rising juniors or seniors.

Apply Now!

Student-Led Information Session

Want to learn more about the program? Watch a recording of our recent student-led information and Q&A session by clicking on the video displayed here.

Hosts include current Bonner Leaders students Jessi Dixon, Lauren Morton, Sam Tran, and Bryan Armbruster who share their student experiences and answer audience questions. 

Bonner Student-Led Projects

  • AmplifyHER

    Public speaking tutoring and mentorship which aims to instill confidence in 7th and 8th grade girls at The FORGE for Families and to empower them to find their voices and advocate for themsleves in the classroom, at their future place of work and over the course of their lives
  • Aspire

    SAT, ACT, and college readiness tutoring and mentoring with high school juniors and seniors partnered with Stephen F. Austin High School and KIPP Houston High School
  • Food Insecurity Team (FIT)

    Food distribution and nutrition education for community members with partners New Hope Housing, Riverside Methodist Church, Letting Everyone Achieve Dreams (LEAD) and the Houston Food Bank
  • Math Confidence Through Cubing Club (MC^3)

    Math tutoring and mentorship at Navarro Middle School. Students receive traditional math tutoring and learn how to master the Rubik's Cube as a way to build confidence and persistence through hard tasks. MC^3 mentors also conduct character building lessons and encourage behavioral improvements in participating students
  • Science Mentoring for a Richer Tomorrow (SMART)

    Science mentoring and tutoring with 8th grade students at partner school Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan.
  • Writing to Inspire Successful Education (WISE)

    Writing and reading tutoring with 4th and 5th graders with partner PSTEM Academy

Why Service Learning

Service learning is a rewarding and transformative experience, and it can produce great impact in the community. Why do students choose to dedicate their time to collaborating with their community and learning about service learning during their undergraduate career? Learn from students about their Bonner experience and their service learning journeys.

WHAT WE DO

The mission of the Bonner Leaders Progam at the University of Houston is to create high-quality educational experiences for students, while simultaneously working to build a better Houston community. We do this by focusing on the factors that perpetuate the cycle of poverty: food insecurity, educational achievement and community health and nutritionWe believe that working with and through partners not only contributes to the community but also enriches and enhances the student learning experience.
Bonner Student Mimi Beregen posing for a photo at a FIT event.

BONNER IN THE NEWS

"According to the Houston Food Bank, food insecurity affects approximately 1 million people in southeast Texas. This number is startling to say the least, but the efforts of the University of Houston students are making a difference in feeding many Third Ward families. UH’s Bonner Leaders have long contributed to community causes, and one of its signature initiatives is its Food Insecurity Team (FIT)."

Read the full story here...

 

MEET THE BONNERS

Alumni Spotlights

Bonner HFB

Be Part of the Change

Be A Bonner

The Bonner Leaders program welcomes incoming Honors freshmen to apply to the program.  Interested students need only fill out this application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and applicants will be notified once their application has been reviewed.

 

Have Questions? Contact us!                                   

 

Trinity Rayder
Director, Bonner Leaders Program
tarinear@central.uh.edu

Janet Lawler
Faculty Fellow, Bonner Leaders Program
jmlawler@central.uh.edu  

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