Bonner Curriculum
The Bonner Leadership Program is designed to challenge and support students throughout their four years through their service-learning activities, courses, and co-curricular experiences. Through students’ intensive involvement in community service with local and national nonprofits and government organizations, supported also by training, reflection, and leadership roles within the program, we hope to guide students to develop a valuable set of knowledge, skills, and competencies that prepare them as community builders and civically engaged professionals beyond the Bonner Program.
In their first year at Mason, Bonner Leaders are oriented and immersed in exploring personal and interpersonal identity, community, and the program’s structure and expectations. Through a combination of coursework and community engagement, students will learn to evaluate the relationship between identity and place, identify social problems, and address real-world problems. Each year, the program builds upon itself, allowing students to lead, take more responsibility, and think critically about their community experiences.
With the help of their Bonner advisor, Faculty advisor, and Community Partner, Bonner Leaders will create a research question addressing a social issue of their choice by the end of their sophomore year. The research question will be the cornerstone to designing and conducting an in-depth study, culminating in a Mason Impact designated Legacy Presentation in their senior year.
The Bonner Leadership curriculum aligns with the Mason Impact focus area, Community Engagement and Civic Learning, by allowing Bonners to participate in local, regional, national, or global community partnerships in the public or private sector that involve a mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge, resources, or services. Along with the active participation with a community agency, Bonners are also encouraged to pursue minors within the School of Integrative Studies or any other minor program at Mason that aligns with the students' research interests. Beyond the Bonner requirements, students are expected to satisfy all requirements of Admissions, their college, and major credit hours.
Bonner Workshops
In addition to the Bonner curriculum, the Career and Alumni Committee leads workshops to promote students' professional development during the program.
Professional development events include:
- Resume building and incorporating Bonner into your resume
- How to find internships and jobs
- How to network and use LinkedIn
- Annual Spring Conference featuring GMU Bonner Alumni, workshops by Mason student services, and presentations by current Bonners
Student Requirements
Bonner Leaders are selected through a competitive process open to incoming first-year students.
Applicants must meet regular admissions standards and have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Through the program, each student earns a $4,500 service-based stipend, renewable for all four years that students remain eligible in the program. The stipend is paid bi-weekly throughout the semester and not in one lump sum.
First-year Bonner Leaders agree to enroll in a 3-credit Bonner Seminar in their first Fall semester. Every subsequent Fall semester, Bonner Leaders will enroll in a 0-1 credit course.
Bonners are required to:
- Attend and enroll in the Bonner Seminar each fall and actively participate in Spring Bi-Weekly Meetings
- Serve 8-10 hours a week at their selected community partner site
- Maintain at least a 2.5 GPA during all four years to maintain a good standing in the program
- Attend Bonner Leader Orientation, Fall Retreat, and Spring Conference
- Attend monthly All Bonner Meetings
- Engage in the Bonner Mentorship Program
- Complete a Senior Capstone in their final year
- Represent George Mason University and the Bonner Foundation in a positive manner both on and off campus