Changemakers see the strengths and challenges in their communities and invite others to learn, imagine, problem-solve, and act together. At the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement (CCE), we support individuals and their networks in connecting with one another and leading constructive collaboration.
Senior Bonner Scholars reflect on four years of network building
Bonner Scholars spend four years engaging, learning, and reflecting together through weekly community engagement, summer internships, cohort meetings, and cornerstone activities. At this year’s senior Presentations of Learning, Bonner alumni Kim Dean-Anderson, Victoria Lara, Benedict Roemer, and Cory Schutter facilitated panel discussions on education, economic access, healthcare, and sustainability. Senior Bonner Scholars highlighted their networks — from a knitting circle at CrossOver Healthcare Ministry to dedicated gardeners at Shalom Farms — and their deep connections with their communities.
“I noticed a change from freshman year up to now,” said Ina Loka who worked at Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. “I noticed how I learned to listen.”
The seniors also unveiled original works of art reflecting their experiences with guidance from Richmond artist Hamilton Glass who is known for his vibrant murals and local initiatives to connect artists and community members from different backgrounds in conversation to foster empathy, understanding, and healing.
“This is a hat that I can never take off, and I'm always going to be a Bonner Scholar. I'm always going to be a person that cares about the community. I'm always going to care about other people.”
Community Partners-in-Residence
Since 2019, the CCE has hosted a residency program for leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors to center a challenge their organizations are facing. This year’s fellows, Ben Blevins, co-founder and CEO of the Highland Support Project, Leanne Petroziello, officer of educational success at the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond, and Victoria Yeroian, executive director of Podium, embraced the opportunity to meet with faculty and staff to exchange ideas.
Petroziello and Yeroian focused on the persistent and systemic literacy gaps preventing adolescent youth from thriving and realizing their full potential in Richmond. Blevins developed project-based activities for community-engaged learning inspired by Indigenous teachers and scholars from Guatemala, the N’dee, K’iche, and Mam.
“Our community partner-in-residence fellows share their knowledge, expertise, and passion with our community, and we provide them an avenue to pursue exciting new work,” said Derek Miller, CCE associate director of community-engaged research, scholarship, and relationships.
Contemplative pedagogy for faculty
This academic year, an innovative Faculty Learning Community (FLC) hosted by the CCE considered the intersection of contemplative pedagogies and social justice work.
Members of the cohort tried a variety of mindfulness practices for themselves, explored their use in their community-based learning courses, and observed how their students were affected by the mindfulness activities.
The FLC brought together Cassie Powell and Julie McConnell from the Law School, Alicia Diaz, Patricia Herrera, and Emmy Weldon from the Department of Theatre & Dance, and Mary Finley-Brook from the Department of Geography, Environment, & Sustainability.
“Through the program, I gained a deeper understanding of how to incorporate sustainable wellness practices within my class, and how to model these for my students,” Powell said. “My favorite part of the program was the incredible support we shared for each other in developing our visions for justice and demonstrating our shared dedication to our community and students.”
Celebrating Changemakers
At the start of every academic year, the CCE celebrates and acknowledges students, faculty, staff, and community leaders working together to make an impact in our communities. This year, we honored 21 awardees for their service, research, teaching, collaborations, and more.
The event’s keynote speaker Taylor Scott, founder of the mutual aid organization RVA Community Fridges, addressed the importance of her “Fridge Fam” and the growing network of individuals and partners who support her work to combat food insecurity in Richmond.
In the same spirit, Collaboration for Change Award honoree and senior teaching faculty of education Tammy Milby shared, “Partnerships are a reciprocal relationship where everyone benefits.”
National Bonner network convenes in Richmond
In June 2025, more than 450 students, staff, faculty, and partners from across the country gathered for the Bonner Foundation’s 2025 Bonner Summer Leadership Institute and four days of shared dialogue and civic learning.
In addition to engaging in robust programming on campus, participants visited the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, City of Richmond’s Office of Community Wealth Building, Health Brigade, PlanRVA, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
“Faculty, administrators, and student leaders visited sites in Richmond where University of Richmond faculty, regional faculty, and local community leaders are working to address historical and current inequities through sophisticated community engagement projects and coursework,” said Arianne Hoy, vice president for program and resource development at the Bonner Foundation. “They took away motivation and best practices for their work at home.”
“Our university is honored to be part of the Bonner Network. Throughout the year, our 100 Bonner Scholars have transformative, community-engaged experiences, which prepare them for lives of purpose, thoughtful inquiry, and responsible leadership.”