Skill-Building through the Student Development Model

By Skill Type

The Five E's mark a student's continued development throughout the program, which happens not only during service but also through trips, trainings, retreats, meetings, and other activities.  Each Bonner Program should also be providing students with a chance to learn and apply many skills, such as these below:  

By Developmental Stages

In addition, students explore—through reflection, coursework, training, and other activities— the Common Commitments (Civic Engagement, Community Building, International Perspective, Diversity, Spiritual Exploration, and Social Justice).  While not every student's experience or program is the same, it's typical for Bonners to explore the following skills over the course of their involvement:

• First Year (Explore): professionalism, teamwork, setting goals & objectives, time management, community knowledge, and personal exploration.

• Second Year (Experience): project planning, multiculturalism and diversity awareness, group dynamics/conflict resolution, and critical thinking.
• Third Year (Example): project coordination, resource development, leading reflection and inquiry, career exploration or vocation, and articulating personal and civic values (understanding of engaged citizenship, involvement in public education and advocacy).
• Fourth Year (Excellence/Expertise): networking, public speaking, evaluation, management, and career planning.

Bonner Scholar Programs have the opportunity to delve into skill development in a four-year program, while Bonner Leader Programs often consolidate these experiences and skill-building opportunities into a two-year plan, with many campuses offering a three-year or four-year program also.

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