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Program Development Model

Health Equity Bonner Fellowship

Program Developmental Model

The Eight Themes Curriculum: Using the Bonner Leader’s Program as the framework, the eight themes are used throughout four years of the fellowship at UNCW. Each semester is organized by themes that express the skills Fellows are gaining to meet the goals of the Health Equity Bonner Fellowship and the Bonner Foundation. The Health Equity Bonner Fellowship provides activities and training that may incorporate these themes.

In addition to the overarching theme of health equity, the following themes may be woven throughout a Fellow’s four-year commitment:

  • Exploring Identity and Place
  • From Service to Solutions
  • Leading Teams
  • Know Your Issue
  • Planning and Managing Projects
  • Building Organizational Capacity
  • Leaving a Legacy
  • Preparing for Civically Engaged Lives
The Six Common Commitments

These Commitments were written by fellows from across a network of colleges and universities who continue to ensure their integration in their campus programs. These Common Commitments play a key role in uniting diverse passions and interests in making a change and are crucial for making us a coherent community. Aligning with Bonner, we believe all Health Equity Bonner Fellows are committed to:

  • Diversity – We respect and embrace the many dimensions of diversity in our private and public lives.
  • Social Justice – We advocate for fairness, impartiality, and equality while addressing systemic social and environmental issues.
  • International Perspective – We develop an international understanding that enables us to participate successfully in a global society.
  • Spiritual Exploration – We explore personal belief while respecting the spiritual practices of others.
  • Civic Engagement – We participate intentionally as citizens in the democratic process, actively engaging in public policy and direct service.
  • Community Building – We establish and sustain a vibrant community of place, personal relationships, and common interests.
The Five E's

The Five E's are a framework for fellows ongoing growth as they develop.

  • Expectation – Fellows are taught what is expected of the Health Equity Program, and they are expected to uphold the UNCW Health Equity handbook.
  • Exploration – Fellows explore community partners to find a fit with their career goals and/or service passion (first/second year).
  • Experience – In the sophomore year, a fellow usually finds a stable role within an organization and chooses to focus their efforts on a single project or issue area.
  • Example – Fellows in their third year should begin assuming Project Coordinator responsibilities such as recruiting, placing, monitoring, and leading reflections for other fellow volunteers.
  • Excellence – By the end of four years, the fellow's relationship to the community partner should be like that of a staff member who can assist the agency in strategic planning and implementation, financial management, grant writing, research report writing, and/or special projects.
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