The Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness (CCECC) is a program that connects students, faculty, and staff  to community partners in the Dan River Region to foster a mutually beneficial relationship. The Bonner Program is one of the outreach activities it sponsors.

“The CCECC serves as the catalyst to connect Points of Light (students, staff, and faculty) from Averett University, Danville Community College, Piedmont Community College, and local primary and secondary schools to community partners to lead capacity-building transformations in the Dan River Region, centered on three areas of need: economic opportunities, youth and education, and civil and human rights,” April Love-Loveless, director of Bonner Leaders, said.

The Bonner Leader Program is a four-year community leadership opportunity that educates, equips, and inspires students to engage the local community and beyond through a partnership with the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation.

“We do community service and leadership. For example: we handed out flyers for vaccines held at Averett University in neighborhoods, packaged oatmeal in the gym, and worked at a local farm planting and harvesting crops,” Ben Johnson, a freshman and Bonner Leader, said.

Since the Bonner Leader program is all four years at Averett University, students are recruited their senior year in high school and must apply by filling out an application, submitting their resume, a recommendation letter, and participate in a panel interview.

“Being a Bonner Leader is an opportunity for a student to use their strengths and passions to impact the community, examine social justice issues with their peers, and develop skills that will help them become a civically engaged citizen,” Love-Loveless said.

To learn more about the CCECC and the Bonner program follow them on Instagram and Facebook (@mycampusengage). To make an appointment with the office of Career Competitiveness you can go to Handshake or read Cougar Connection to get involved in volunteer opportunities that are available.