Bonner Named as Newman Civic Fellow

Briana Bonner, a junior health science major, has been selected as a Newman Civic Fellow, a program sponsored by the national Campus Compact.

Nominated by their college and university presidents, fellows are students who are making the most of their college experiences to better understand themselves, the root causes of social issues and effective mechanisms for creating lasting change. These students are recognized as the next generation of public problem solvers and civic leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing their communities.

Bonner has a passion for helping individuals with disabilities. She regularly volunteers at the People Achieving Connections Together (PACT), a center that provides daily activities for individuals with developmental disabilities in Kirksville. Her experiences at the PACT center led her to propose a student-initiated course, Disability and Community Connect, which was offered to prepare students to both volunteer and work in community based programs for disabled individuals. Bonner hopes to earn a Ph. D. in rehabilitation science so that she can continue to help improve the lives of those with disabilities.

Bonner was one of 181 student leaders across 36 states to be recognized. Only one student from each institution can be nominated each year.
 
Campus Compact is a national coalition of more than 1,100 college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility. For more information about the Newman Civic Fellows visit compact.org.

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