Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Mac Bonners:

What is the Bonner Community Scholars Program?

The Bonner Community Scholars Program (BCS) is a four-year community engagement program founded by Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation.  The mission of the Bonner programs is Access to Education and Opportunity to Serve.

Being a Bonner Scholar involves a commitment not only to service, but also to learning how to be an effective change agent on one’s campus, community and beyond.

Macalester’s Bonner Program is one of over 60 examples of Bonner Programs across college campuses throughout the nation. To learn more about the program nationally and the foundation, please visit the Bonner Foundation Website.

How is the Bonner Community Scholars Program different from other civic leadership programs and first-year programs at Macalester?

One of the main differences between the Bonner Program and other cohort opportunities at Macalester is that each academic year we admit a cohort of 12 students to commit to four years of community engagement. The two major cornerstone experiences during the first year are a pre-orientation program and a J-term community based learning course.

The time commitment and themes explored throughout these four years vary, but also build upon one another. Additional cornerstone activities include a sophomore exchange and senior presentation of learning capstone experience.

Another unique component to the program is that Bonner Scholars complete their student employment by working with local non-profit organizations 8-10 hours per week in partnership with the Community Engagement Center.

What kind of partnerships and organizations can I work with as a Bonner Scholar for my student employment?

First-year Bonners earn their work-study/student employment tutoring and serving as classroom assistants with local public schools located near campus.

Sophomore, junior and senior Bonners earn their student employment at various Twin Cities non-profit organizations. Meet the Bonners and their sites 

We do occasionally have some students who choose to work with organizations that do not have a partnership with our program. If that is the case, we will go through the process of establishing a partnership with that organization with you.

You will be able to learn more about additional options when you apply for student employment positions in the spring semester of your first year.

What is the time commitment like for Bonner and what do we talk about at those meetings?

Bonner meetings are typically held on Monday from 4:30-6 or 7pm.

During the first year, Bonners will meet most Mondays. Meetings are typically themed and intend to prepare you for the first-year trip, as well as other aspects related to leadership programming, academic support, engagement opportunities and a social networking.

Throughout the semester, we also have 2-3 All Bonner meetings which take place both on and off campus, where first years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors get to come together to reflect and build community across class years.

Can I be involved in Bonner as well as other activities at Macalester?

You may certainly be involved with other organizations at Macalester! We have Bonner Scholars who participate in athletics among other curricular and co-curricular activities.   However, please keep in mind the 8-10 hours per week student employment time commitment that Bonner entails, as it does require you to learn and to be able to manage and prioritize your time, commitments, and activities.

What qualities do you look for in a Bonner Scholar?

Ideal Bonner candidates are passionate about community engagement and eliminating systematic inequalities, demonstrate community involvement, embrace working in a team setting, and commit to the Bonner mission of “Access to Education & Opportunity to Serve.”

What will I gain as a Bonner Scholar?

As a Bonner, you will be encouraged to explore multiple ways to be community engaged, as well as learning how to be an effective change agent for one’s campus, community, and elsewhere. Bonners also gain access to unique professional and academic networks within and beyond the Bonner Foundation.

What can I contribute as a Bonner Scholar?

As a Bonner Scholar, you will be able to contribute your own experiences and commit to weekly service work through your student employment placement. Your dedication to service and as an effective agent of change will enable you to contribute greatly to the Macalester campus, local communities, nonprofits in the Twin Cities, and beyond.

If you have other questions, please email Ruth Janisch at [email protected] or call 651-696-6645 or Sedric McClure at [email protected] or call 651-696-6014.