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The new fellows of the Heath Equity Bonner Fellowship gather for their Orientation.
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Health Equity Bonner Fellowship

Health Equity Bonner Fellowship

The Health Equity Bonner Fellowship at the University of North Carolina Wilmington is an up to four-year leadership development program. Our mission is to provide diverse, historically marginalized, and first-generation students the opportunity to strengthen their leadership and engagement skills to support the Wilmington community and beyond. We holistically uphold the belief that health equity and community engagement are fundamental education benefits that enhance students' academic experience and fosters a free exchange of ideas from multiple perspectives. 

The Health Equity Bonner Fellowship is modeled after the Bonner Program, taking after its emphasis on developing students into well-rounded members of the community through various service, education, and reflection opportunities.

The Health Equity Bonner Fellowship is powered by the New Hanover Community Endowment.

Application Now Open! Apply here.

Health equity is defined by the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) as the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health.

About
The UNCW-based Health Equity Bonner Fellowship models the Bonner Leaders Program, a nationally recognized student service-learning model for historically marginalized and first-generation college students. Aptly named the Health Equity Bonner Fellowship, our focus is on improving health equity within the Wilmington Community (and southeastern North Carolina). The Health Equity Bonner Fellowship is a four-year, scaffolded leadership development opportunity in which a cohort of college fellows participate in collaborative mentorship, weekly educational programming, and community-engaged, high-impact applied learning activities. As available, fellows are paid for their service using the Federal Work-Study program. In developing this Fellowship, the team works alongside faculty, staff, fellows, and designated community partners to co-develop and facilitate a sustainable model of scaffolded community-engaged applied learning activities.
Goals of the HEBF
  • To develop an understanding of how health equity impacts health outcomes.   
  • Apply skills learned in the classroom and in the Fellowship to act as community change agents by actively collaborating with community partners and stakeholders.​  
  • Develop an awareness of the Wilmington community beyond the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus.​  

Health Equity Bonner Fellowship

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Fellows, Team & Partners

Housed within CHHS is the Community Engagement professional team, including the Center for Healthy Communities and the Center for Workforce Development. These two centers share in leading the Heath Equity Fellowship. The Center for Healthy Communities seeks to improve health and well-being by addressing community identified needs through collaborations between campus resources and community agencies. The Center for Workforce Development (CWD) aims to enhance the health and quality of life of our community, CWD facilitates the exploration, preparation and development of the health and human services workforce.

Health Equity Bonner Fellows 

Cohort '24-'28:

  • Alanna Tarazona
  • Laura Grossheim
  • Levonna Stanley 
  • Kaylen McDow
  • Shannon Burgess
  • Madison Jones
  • Yair Villalobos
  • Bianca Morales
  • Jessica Rodriguez
  • Gia Kraycirik

Cohort '22-'26: 

  • Hanuli Workman
  • Lucien Romero Arias 
  • Leslie Sanchez-Rodriguez
  • Makayla Aniya Clark
  • Hope Stahl 

Cohort '23-'27:

  • Sara Atkins  
  • Lela Hammer 
  • Melody Hart 
  • Arianna Kotopoulos 
  • Nina Le 
  • Priya Patel 
  • Emma Rivera 
  • Campbell Schanz 
  • Natalie Ward 

Current Employees of the Fellowship

  • Jenna Klock, Community Engagement and Health Equity Specialist: klockj@uncw.edu
  • Megan Toothman, Program Associate: 910-962-3852 toothmanm@uncw.edu
  • Jenna Dick, Community Engagement and Health Equity Program Manager: dickj@uncw.edu   

Health Equity Bonner Fellowship Project Assistants

Community Partners

Application Now Open: Apply Here
Interested?

If you are interested in being contacted by HEBF staff to learn more, please fill out our interest form so we can follow up!