First-year students selected for the Bonner’s Leadership Scholarship program were interviewed in a final round on Sept. 18. If selected by a sponsor, that student will work for the non-profit through work study for their next four years at Point Park. The first-year present were notified early in highschool to let them know that they qualified for the Bonner’s Leadership Program.
The interview process was two rounds. The first round consisted of 30-second interviews with each company. In the second round, both the student and the nonprofit ranked one another so that each party found their best fit. Once matched, more in-depth interviews were conducted.
The Bonners program itself has only been running at Point Park for the last two years, according to Shawn Sweeny, a faculty member who helps run the program.
Heather Starr Fiedler, a faculty member, also helps to run the program. The program is diverse in majors, with this year’s leaders including students studying a range of topics, from dance to communications.
“The students in this program are among the best academically, but also genuine people,” Fiedler said. “We are thrilled to marry leadership and nonprofit work along with community engagement- which allows them to have this experience while in college.”
Luca Strickland is a first-year sports communication major who attended the interviewing process. They said that the Bonners Leaders program was well-rewarding for those who are a part of it; he recommends it for incoming first-years who are considering the program.
“I can see my work with them reflected as I continue to grow,” Strickland said. “It’s a phenomenal program that will provide exceptional opportunities,”
He said he enjoyed talking to many of the non-profits and didn’t feel shy during the process.
Kayla Coley was there representing The Cultural Trust. She said there is value in the program for both students and non-profits.
“It’s my first year doing this for the company,” Coley said. “As for the organization, it has been part of this program for three years. It’s important in general for students to better understand the real world. The program is helping instill leadership qualities in individuals; there’s some empathy and self-awareness in the candidates in this program.”
For all first-years, members of the Bonner Leaders program also partake in a service trip. Before their second year in the program, members also participate in other Bonner leadership exchange programs as their second-year approaches. In their fourth year at Point Park, they complete a capstone project and a presentation of what they learned, separate from their honors course.
