Bonner Scholars Program Coordinator

Job Description:

Berry College invites applications for the position of Bonner Scholars Program Coordinator. The Bonner Scholars Program is a nationally recognized scholarship and leadership development program that prepares students for lives of service, civic engagement, and social responsibility through sustained community engagement, leadership education, and experiential learning.

Reporting to the Director of Community Engagement, the Coordinator provides leadership for the day-to-day administration of the Bonner Scholars Program and works closely with students, campus partners, community organizations, alumni, and the Bonner Foundation to advance the program's mission. The Coordinator serves as a student-facing professional who mentors scholars, coordinates developmental programming, maintains program records, cultivates community partnerships, and helps students connect service experiences with their academic, personal, and professional growth.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate the daily operations of the Bonner Scholars Program and support implementation of the program's developmental model, expectations, and annual calendar.
• Assist with the recruitment, selection, onboarding, and orientation of Bonner Scholars in collaboration with campus partners.
• Advise and mentor Bonner Scholars throughout their collegiate experience, providing proactive outreach, individualized support, progress monitoring, and referrals to campus resources.
• Plan and facilitate orientation, leadership development, reflection, enrichment, community-building, and educational programming for Bonner Scholars.
• Support students in connecting community engagement experiences with academic learning, career preparation, leadership development, and personal growth.
• Supervise and mentor student leaders and/or LifeWorks student employees associated with the Bonner Scholars Program.
• Cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with nonprofit organizations, schools, agencies, and other community partners.
• Identify meaningful community engagement placements and work with partners to promote mutually beneficial, well-supported student experiences.
• Monitor scholar participation and progress; maintain accurate student records, service-hour documentation, and other program records.
• Assist with collection, analysis, and reporting of program data to support assessment, institutional reporting, and Bonner Foundation expectations.
• Assist with budget management, event planning, communications, travel, and program logistics.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, and other campus areas to support scholar success and community engagement.
• Represent the Bonner Scholars Program at campus events, community meetings, and regional or national Bonner gatherings.
• Contribute to institutional initiatives that advance student success, leadership development, belonging, civic responsibility, and Berry's Good Neighbor Culture.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This position is well-suited for a candidate who enjoys meaningful engagement with students, collaborative partnerships across campus and in the community, and hands-on program leadership within a mission-driven college environment. Successful candidates will demonstrate a genuine commitment to mentoring students, strengthening community partnerships, and helping scholars develop as thoughtful leaders and engaged citizens.

The Coordinator is expected to maintain meaningful relationships with Bonner Scholars, contribute to a strong cohort experience, and support consistent fulfillment of program expectations. The role involves regular coordination with community partners and campus colleagues, along with periodic evening, weekend, and travel commitments connected to retreats, service activities, conferences, and special events.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, social work, nonprofit leadership, public administration, education, or a related field preferred.
• Experience working with college students, leadership programs, community engagement initiatives, service-learning programs, nonprofit organizations, or related settings.
• Familiarity with the Bonner Program model and/or demonstrated success working with students from diverse economic and educational backgrounds.
• Commitment to student development, educational opportunity, civic engagement, and mutually beneficial community partnerships.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities, detailed records, events, and program timelines.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidential student information and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours and travel in support of program activities.
• Experience with program assessment, reporting, event planning, budget management, or scholarship-program administration preferred.

Additional Information:

ABOUT BERRY COLLEGE

Berry is a selective independent college of 2,200 students located adjacent to Rome, GA, midway between Atlanta, GA, and Chattanooga, TN. Berry's educational approach deliberately unites challenging academic programs with practical work experience in a residential campus community that encourages faith and emphasizes caring for the needs of others above self. Our mission and values are grounded in the ethic that our founder instilled more than a century ago:

"We educate the head, heart, and hands - to inspire leaders of integrity who cultivate thriving communities. By combining academic exploration with meaningful work responsibilities in a residential setting, our approach emphasizes firsthand experience and mentoring. We invest in the personal growth and professional preparation of talented students from varied backgrounds, with an enduring commitment to help those hindered by financial need. Guided by Christian principles, we value the dignity of individuals, the search for truth tempered with grace, and the well-being of our neighbors."

Nationally recognized for the quality of learning and quality of life, Berry offers first-rate undergraduate degree programs in the sciences, humanities, arts, and human sciences, as well as undergraduate- and master's-level opportunities in business, physician associate studies, and teacher education. The College's stunning 27,000-acre campus affords opportunities that cannot be duplicated elsewhere. Berry's ongoing commitment is to provide exceptional educational experiences to talented students from a wide range of social, racial, and economic backgrounds.

COLLEGE COMMITMENTS

Berry College is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse faculty and staff. An Equal Opportunity Institution, Berry complies with all applicable laws and provisions prohibiting discrimination in its educational and employment policies. Berry respects the essential dignity of all individuals and accordingly hires and promotes employees without regard to matters of personal identity such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and political affiliation. Berry College is committed to ensuring facilities, programs, services, and activities are accessible to everyone, including those seeking employment at Berry College. Inquiries about interviews or workplace accommodations are welcomed and can be directed to employment@berry.edu or (706) 233-4062.

Application Instructions:

Applicants should submit an online application, cover letter, resume, and information for three professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Questions regarding the position may be directed to the Director of Community Engagement, Devon Smyth, at dsmyth@berry.edu.

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