College of Charleston

160 Calhoun Street

Lightsey 203

Charleston, SC 29401

(843) 953-5838 

bonner@cofc.edu

CAMPUS AT A GLANCE & KEY FACTS

The College of Charleston is a nationally recognized, public liberal arts and sciences university located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina. Founded in 1770, the College is among the nation’s top universities for quality education, student life and affordability. The College offers a distinctive combination of a beautiful and historic campus, modern facilities and cutting-edge programs.

From a student perspective:  The College of Charleston provides a great living and learning community!  The college offers a variety of majors/minors while its location--beautiful Charleston, South Carolina--allows for endless learning experiences as we are surrounded by the history of one of the oldest cities in the nation.  The relaxing beaches, great night life, tons of historic sites, and an array of festivals and cultural events means you'll never be bored living here!

Location: Charleston, SC

Enrollment: 10,488 undergraduate, 1,131 graduate students

Majors: 58 (66 degree programs)

Minors: 73

Master's programs: 22 (and nine certificate programs)

Average class size: 26 students

Library volumes: 834,376

BONNER PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

Type of Program: Bonner Leader Program

Year Began: 2008

Bonner Program Website: http://volunteer.cofc.edu/bonner-leader-program/index.php

Application Deadline for 2017: April 29, 2016

Where is the Bonner Program located: Student Affairs

Number of Bonner Students: 27

Highlighted Bonner Specific Programs:

A Brief History of Our Program: 

In the course of our eight years as a program, we have grown from the original seven students to thirty. Started by two College of Charleston students who learned about the program at the IMPACT Conference and brought back the idea to Stephanie Visser, Director of the Center for Civic Engagement, our program is still committed to being student-led. In the past years, we have engaged our campus in issues our Bonners are passionate about, such as nutrition and preventing child abuse, through Engage and Empower events planned by Bonners. We have traveled across the nation and even internationally on trips based on the Alternative Break curriculum. We are committed to working alongside a variety of non-profits in the Charleston community, including Darkness to Light, Metanoia, Chucktown Squash, Hope Lodge, Children's Museum of the Lowcountry, and Coastal Connections at the Medical University of South Carolina.

CAMPUS-WIDE ENGAGEMENT AT A GLANCE

The College of Charleston’s Bonner Leader Program hosts an annual Engage and Empower series, events and discussion aimed to bring awareness to various social issues to the wider campus community. After each event, information was presented on how students and citizens can engage in direct action to alleviate these issues. The events from the 2015-16 academic year included:

• #ShareYourself.  February 8 – 10am-3pm – Rivers Green.  Stop by and take part in a collaborative campus-wide art piece. Bring yourself, your creativity, and your voice. Supplies provided. 

• Know Your Rights:  February 10 – 7pm – RSS 252. Ever wondered what to do if you have an encounter with the police? Maybe worried that your college "extracurriculars" pose a legal risk? Please come join us for a documentary screening as well as a panel discussion. Knowing your responsibility and obligation with law enforcement isn't a privilege, it's a right! Refreshments provided.

• You Got Served:  February 11 – 1-3pm – Lightsey 2^nd Floor.  Need an internship? What are you doing this summer? Find an organization that suites your interests! This volunteer fair is an opportunity for students to engage with 11 local area non-profits. Come join us for this networking event!

• Ctrl + Alter + Delete:  February 12 – 4pm – Stern 205.  Join us for a student dialogue on our role in Cultural Appropriation and Gentrification. This event focuses on educating students of the College and the community on the effects of gentrification and cultural appropriation in Charleston.

KEY CONTACTS