Year 1: Exploration
The first year of this comprehensive four-year program begins with an orientation and overview. Through the use of retreats, activities, service experiences, and various simulations, students begin to define and critically examine leadership and service. First year participants have the opportunity to learn more about themselves and the Memphis service community. Reflection activities and weekly meetings complete the first year program. At the end of the year, first year participants should be able to identify an area of service in which they will concentrate during the remainder of their time at Rhodes.
A program orientation held prior to the start of the first year includes:
- Welcome dinner with parents and families
- Icebreakers and team builders
- Overview of the Bonner Scholars Program
- Introduction to the Bonner Foundation
- Scholarship requirements
- Introduction to service and leadership opportunities
- Introduction to Rhodes faculty members and service learning
- Entering Student Survey
First-year class meetings held once each week on topics including:
- Opportunities within the service community
- Memphis and its communities
- Diversity
- Time Management
- Personality Assessments
- Social justice and citizenship
- Personal values and consensus building
Optional Meetings include:
- Kinney service programming
- Memphis service programming
- Other training and enrichment opportunities
First-year exploration also includes:
- One-on-one meetings with a program staff member held twice a semester
- A week-long service trip to a different geographic region
- Choosing a primary service site by the end of the academic year
- Developing a personal four-year plan
- Shadowing older Scholars at service sites
This program is based on the Bonner Foundation′s Developmental Model.