UH Hilo Center for Community Engagement - CCE

09/04/2026

UH Hilo is so proud to share that Bonner Leader Lexy Kaye Ramos has been selected to be a Newman Civic Fellow! (Top row, 3rd from left).
A graduate of Kea’au High School on Hawaii Island, Lexy’s dedication to access & equity in healthcare has led her to commit her time & energy to supporting our amazing health-based community organizations while maintaining excellence in academics in Biology.
Congratulations Lexy! 🎉

🎉 Campus Compact Announces 2026 Newman Civic Fellows

The Newman Civic Fellowship is a year-long program that recognizes students who stand out for their leadership potential and commitment to creating positive change in communities 👥

This fellowship develops civic leaders through learning and networking to drive personal, professional, and civic growth—empowering students to collaborate and create large-scale change! 🤝

“This group of exceptional students from campuses across the country is such a welcomed addition to the Newman Civic Fellowship,” said Campus Compact President Bobbie Laur. “Now more than ever, it is an honor to recognize student leaders who are applying themselves as changemakers and creating positive impact in their communities. This is just the start of their lifelong journeys as Newman Civic Fellows, and I couldn’t be more excited to watch them continue to grow and pursue their passions.”

💡 Click the link in our bio to learn more about the 2026-2027 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows!

01/08/2026

Join us for our fourth "Connections Beyond Campus" fair to talk with amazing community organizations & see how you can get involved!

06/10/2025

Looking for a fun, supportive paddling experience? Recreational Paddling noncredit classes are open for registration! Classes start next week.

Hilo.hawaii.edu/cce/classes

04/09/2025

TODAY is the DAY!
Reason #1 - Bonner leaders are gaining the knowledge, skills, dispositions and networks to act with courage in service of our communities. Your donation goes directly to building this program so that more students can benefit from it!

“I know I have the basic skills to work with community organizations and make a difference. I used to have somewhat of a fixed mindset about what I was capable of or not; now I trust myself to learn new things and just do it rather than thinking I canʻt.”
Fund #130-2850-4

04/08/2025

Reason #2 - Our students shouldn’t have to choose between earning much-needed money and taking advantage of work-based learning opportunities. Bonner leaders are paid for their work to increase access and equity.
“Being paid as a Bonner Leader is one of the many beneficial aspects of the Bonner Program, as it makes the role more sustainable, providing me with financial aid to cover educational and personal expenses that support me as a college student. The program enables me to focus on the growth in the present for better opportunities in the future.” (Bonner Leader Shanai Koli, pictured far right)
Your donation helps students who need to work while attending college have jobs that will help them reach their goals!
Fund #130-2850-4

04/07/2025

The countdown continues!
Reason #3 - Bonners enter our community with an asset-based, rather than deficit-based, mindset and work to build on the amazing assets our island has.
“Community partners have provided me the opportunity to inherit collective goals, ideas, and initiatives. I am grateful for every partner who took the time to talk to us, invite us into their space, and share their cause with us. We are lucky enough to be able to work with so many causes and people which allow us to learn how we can cultivate and sustain our local populations together.”
(Bonners with Charlene Iboshi & Alan Okinaka)
Your donation helps us build an asset-based culture!
Fund #130-2850-4

04/06/2025

Reason #4 - Bonners have opportunities to connect with students across the country through an annual Bonner Congress and Summer Leadership Institute, have access to graduate school scholarships and become part of an active alumni network of over 15,000 Bonner alumni.
“This experience was one of a kind and I’m so grateful to have attended. I can’t wait to share more with everyone and start working on some projects for our own Bonner program!” Bonner Leader Misty Cruden (pictured here at Bonner Congress 2024 in Chicago)
Your donation enables more students to connect with opportunities like these!
Fund #130-2850-4

04/06/2025

Reason #5 - Students Build the Confidence Needed to Stretch Outside of their Comfort Zones!
Bonner Leader Lei Torrano shares how Bonner prepared her to study abroad:
“Studying abroad exposed me to diverse cultures, teaching me to respect their values while staying true to my own. The Bonner Program further enhanced my ability to navigate these cultural differences, helping me gain the confidence to acknowledge my position as an outsider. It taught me that through our ability to contribute to addressing community issues, we can learn from one another’s differences to solve common challenges.”
Your donation helps students to build their confidence to try more and more new things!
Fund #130-2850-4

04/04/2025

The reasons just keep going!
Reason #6 - Work-based learning is closely tied to post graduation success!
Bonner leaders complete projects with community partners that build both community capacity and the skills and aptitudes that employers need.
“The hydroponic work I do with Food Basket has allowed me to give back to the community while also expanding my skills. Someday, I believe this work will lead to a future where I can give back even more, and that day is what I work towards every day. “
Bonner Leader Hayden Niles (pictured)
Your donation contributes to opportunities for our UH Hilo students to engage in work-based learning!
Fund #130-2850-4

04/03/2025

Reason #7 - Fostering a sense of belonging is critical for student success!
The Bonner Program uses a cohort model to create a safe space and build supportive connections from day one.
“Being in a cohort helped me, especially as a first year college student, to already have a group of supportive people surrounding me, which helped me improve my performance in school. When I feel safe and have people I can be vulnerable with, I tend to feel more confident in my abilities because we are all in this together.”
Your donation helps us to build safe & supportive spaces for students to thrive!
Fund #130-2850-4