Civic Leadership & Meaningful Community Service:
The PSC/Bonner Leader program comprises of 60 undergraduates who are among the highest achieving students on campus and demonstrate a commitment to community service and practice socially responsible leadership. The PSC/Bonner Leaders further the university’s civic mission both home and abroad and continue to work within the Chester community year round.
The Presidential Service Corps/Bonner Leader program provides its members with an annual $5,000 scholarship upon completing 300 hours of community service and participating in leadership development experiences throughout each academic year. More specifically, the program is a prestigious scholarship and leadership development opportunity that includes:
All 60 PSC/Bonner Leaders receive an annual $5,000 award, in addition to any need-based financial aid or academic-based scholarships.
- Community Service Experiences on Local and Global Scale
The PSC/Bonner Leaders participate in 300 hours of local, national, and international service experiences. In addition to the many Chester-area service opportunities available, all PSC/Bonner Leaders have the opportunity to participate in an international Alternative Spring Break trip. In March 2012 President Harris, the Senior Vice President of Advancement, and the Assistant Dean for Civic Engagement will travel with 10 PSC/Bonner Leaders to Belize to serve and make a meaningful impact to its community.
- Personalized Support, Mentoring, Resources, and Leadership Development
The PSC/Bonner Leaders are a distinguished group of students who all work and learn together, devoting themselves to civic engagement and inspiring others to do the same. The PSC/Bonner Leaders receive personalized leadership development and guidance from the Office of Civic Engagement staff weekly, as well as support from the President and other dedicated and experienced Widener faculty and staff.
PSC/Bonner Leader Program History:
Committed to the belief that an education includes both fostering students’ intellectual growth and developing them into socially responsible citizens, President Harris created the Presidential Service Corps (PSC) program in 2002. The PSC program aimed to join together motivated and inspiring students who exhibit leadership skills, success in intellectual and academic pursuits, and a passion for making positive contributions to society through their service.
In 2007 the Presidential Service Corps partnered with the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation to further develop student civic leaders at Widener University and form the Presidential Service Corps/Bonner Leader Program (PSC/Bonner Leaders).
The Bonner Leaders Program is designed to heighten overall education; members receive this by engaging in ongoing service work and developing the experiences, skills, knowledge, and values necessary to make their work meaningful and lasting. Bonner Leaders commit themselves to Social Justice, Civic Engagement, Spiritual Exploration, Diversity, International Perspective, and Community Building.
Now led directly by the Assistant Dean for Civic Engagement, PSC/Bonner Leaders have opportunities to develop transferable leadership skills while serving their campus, local, regional, and global communities in powerful and transformational ways.
More information on the Bonner Leader program and the Bonner Foundation can be found on its webpage.
To learn more about Widener's PSC/Bonner Leader program, please contact Elizabeth Housholder, Assistant Dean for Civic Engagement, at (610) 499-4596 or eahousholder@widener.edu.