
From Seed to Fruition, a Mural Springs Up
A new, public-facing mural on campus is designed to further bridge the Widener and greater Chester communities together.
At Widener, you will connect with civic engagement experiences in Chester, Greater Philadelphia, and around the world.
The Bonner Leaders program was developed by Widener in partnership with the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation to develop the change agents of our time. Our leaders not only graduate with a degree, but also benefit from transferrable workforce skills including four years of work experience in the nonprofit sector, intensive leadership training, and a drive to make an impact in our local to global communities.
The Bonner Leaders commit to serving internship-level community service (150 hours per academic year, roughly 5-7 hours weekly). They also participate in customized, experiential learning opportunities designed to make them stand out as civic leaders, social justice agents and active global citizens. Pending successful completion of the program requirements, Bonner Leaders receive an annual $5,000 award in addition to any need-based financial aid or academic-based scholarships.
The Maguire Scholars Fund provides scholarship awards to as many as three incoming Widener freshmen each year and is renewable each year for a total of four years providing students continue to meet qualifications.
Eligibility to be considered for a Maguire Scholarship includes:
For information on the Maguire Foundation and the listing of participating high schools students must have attended to apply for the award, please visit the Maguire Foundation website.
Learn more about the Maguire Foundation Scholarship
The Pride Service Site Leadership Program will empower you to develop a service-oriented mindset. This scholarship aims to develop change agents of our time. Students will not only graduate with a degree, but also benefit from transferrable workforce skills including four years of work experience in the nonprofit sector, intensive leadership training, and a drive to make an impact in our local to global communities.
PSSL’s also work to increase and sustain the quality of life for residents in the Chester community. Students learn the skills needed to be a citizen of character who demonstrates civic leadership.
Pride Service Site Leaders complete 150 hours during the academic year. In return, they receive a $1,500 scholarship to be applied toward their tuition. Interested students should inquire with the Center for Civic and Global Engagement in the fall of their first-year to apply.
A new, public-facing mural on campus is designed to further bridge the Widener and greater Chester communities together.
Widener students have a history of being politically engaged citizens and having exceptional voter turnout.
Since 2019, the team has been holding this potentially lifesaving drive, which has signed up hundreds for the registry and led to one match.
Academic service learning is one of the foundations of a Widener education, allowing you to connect your passion for service with your coursework. By uniting service experiences with classroom activities, you will develop your sense of civic responsibility while achieving your academic goals.
Widener faculty give you the support to apply academic content with meaningful, measurable projects in real community settings. Through our service learning courses, you will have innovative opportunities to serve individuals, public schools, public service agencies, and nonprofit organizations within our network of community partners.
A variety of service learning courses are offered every semester, including Coffee Culture and the Environment in Costa Rica, Contemporary Issues in Political Engagement, and Social Work Practice with Communities.
Widener’s community outreach programs will help you gain hands-on experience, hone your leadership skills, grow your professional network, and broaden your worldview. Whether you’re teaching kids in Chester, participating in innovative outreach programs in Philadelphia, or installing solar panels in Panama villages, service can stretch your mind and heart. At Widener, you can make a positive impact in the lives of people around the world.
Our students, faculty, and staff serve as teachers, tutors, and trainers in many programs that give academic support and educational opportunities to families and children. At Widener, you can serve in a variety of schools, school districts, and after-school programs including:
When it comes to economic vitality and growth, we’re in this together. Widener supports economic development projects that attract jobs, encourage small business creation, spur investment, and generate pride in the communities we serve. Widener works to strengthen the local economy by developing partnerships and implementing community renewal projects.
Widener helps students build the character, courage, and habits of mind to be engaged global citizens and strategic leaders capable of effecting positive change.
Being able to have these internships and experiences outside of the classroom makes me feel happy because not only am I able to build connections, but I’m getting experience and understanding with the career that I want.
It’s really important to me to be involved in setting an image, especially for first-generation students or people who are shy or minority students on campus. I want to use my voice.
Political science and sociology connect in a lot of different ways, especially when you look at the theorists, there’s a lot of overlap. Seeing those connections and then also connecting that to my daily life has been super important.
Widener has helped me take my academics and what I’ve learned in classes and apply it not just in the Chester community, but to the whole world in general.
Widener gives me access to so many great opportunities I wouldn't have had elsewhere. These experiences and opportunities give me a great competitive advantage heading into the workforce.
Every study abroad trip, every internship opportunity, every volunteer event, every class is contributing to me not only being a better person, but better in business. The world of business today requires us to be globally active.
University Center, 2nd Floor