Dickinson Joins Nationally Recognized Community Service Network
Community Engagement Fellows Maya Reichenbach ’27 (left) and Talia Perez ’28 (right) pose with their Carlisle Victory Circle research poster after receiving the Experiential Learning Award. Photo by Alex Sonfield '25.
Bonner Community Engagement Fellows Gain Real-World Experience with Community Partners
by Craig Layne
Dickinson College has returned to the Bonner Network, renewing its connection to a nationally recognized model of civic engagement and community partnership while launching a new cohort of Bonner Community Engagement Fellows who are committed to service and gaining experience with community organizations.
The re-affiliation marks the return of Dickinson to a network of more than 60 colleges and universities committed to developing student leaders through sustained community engagement, civic learning and public service. The move also builds on the college's longstanding commitment to experiential learning and community-based partnerships through the Center for Civic Learning & Action (CCLA).
As part of the relaunch, Dickinson has selected its first cohort of seven Bonner Community Engagement Fellows, including two incoming first-year students, who will begin their work this fall. Through the program, students participate in paid, multiyear positions with local community organizations while engaging in civic leadership education designed to deepen their understanding of community needs, social responsibility and collaborative problem-solving. By the time students graduate, they dedicate at least 600 hours to the local community.
In the Carlisle area, these organizations include Big Brothers Big Sisters, local food bank Project SHARE, and emergency shelter Community CARES, among many others. As fellows gain experience, they take on increasing responsibility within their placements, often serving in capacity-building roles or helping coordinate volunteer efforts and community projects.
Charlotte Rismiller '28 (sociology, German) is a Bonner Community Engagement Fellow at New Life Community Church in Carlisle. “New Life has become not just my workplace, but also where I worship, volunteer with kids, eat with neighbors at a free community breakfast, and do so much more,” Rismiller said. “It’s hard to put into words the deep connection and love I have for Carlisle, and I have this program and the incredible power of community-based learning and engagement to thank.”
"The Bonner model aligns closely with Dickinson's values and our commitment to preparing students to become engaged citizens and leaders," said Samantha Ha-DiMuzio, director of regional and local partnerships and programs in the CCLA. "We're excited to welcome a new generation of Bonner Fellows and reconnect with a broader network dedicated to meaningful community engagement."
The renewed affiliation has generated enthusiasm among Dickinson alumni who participated in the Bonner program during its previous iteration on campus. A group of Bonner alumni from the classes of 2009 through 2012 has continued to gather informally during Homecoming weekends, including in 2025, maintaining connections to one another and to the program's mission. CCLA recruits for a new cohort of six students each spring for this prestigious and intensive program, at least half of whom will be incoming first-year students.
“There's tremendous excitement around bringing Bonner back to Dickinson,” Ha-DiMuzio said. "I'm particularly excited by the student-centered benefits: graduate school partnerships, connections with Bonner peers at other institutions and national partners who can offer internships and post-grad employment,” she explained. “There are so many ways of recognizing the incredible work of our Bonner Community Engagement Fellows.”
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Published September 4, 2026