With the launch of its Bonner Leaders Program, the Honors College joins more than 80 schools nationwide in offering developmental and educationally meaningful service opportunities for students. The Bonner Leaders Program at the University of Houston is a structured way for community members, faculty, and students to work together to respond to the economic, social, and cultural challenges affecting the quality of life in the city of Houston and the state of Texas through education, research, and service. 

The inaugural class of 26 students began in Fall 2013. Most of them live together in Cougar Village I, study together in Introduction to Civic Engagement, and work together on their annual Bonner projects. Shared projects for the inaugural year include planning for an annual day of service event and re-invigorating UH's neglected community garden. In the coming months, the garden will become a source of fresh produce for the Houston Food Bank and our neighbors in the Third Ward. Bonner Leaders also work closely with partners in the Houston area, including Urban Harvest, METRO, Habitat for Humanity, and the Houston Department of Health and Human Services.

The Bonner Leaders Program is housed in Honors but is available to all students who qualify. The program will double in size in Fall 2014 and double again by Fall 2016. UH will soon have the largest service-learning program in the country.