University of Richmond-Bonner Center for Civic Engagement

05/29/2026

Our first Summer in the City destination for staff and faculty was the Skipwith-Roper Cottage in Jackson Ward!

Abraham Peyton Skipwith, “The Founding Father of Jackson Ward,” became the first known Black homeowner in Jackson Ward in 1793 by building a three-story gambrel roof cottage. The cottage was bequeathed to his descendants, known as the Skipwith-Ropers, in what became the first fully executed wills by a Virginian in 1799. Its last known owners were forcibly removed in the 1950s to accommodate construction of Interstate 95.

The JXN Project recently celebrated the homecoming of the reconstructed cottage, and we’re so grateful that Dr. Sesha Joi Moon gave us a surprise tour yesterday. Check out thejxnproject.org to learn more!

05/27/2026

Natalie Small launched UR Science Explorers at St. Andrew's School this spring, and kindergarten to fifth grade students tackled hands-on, experiment-based learning activities with an awesome group of volunteers. ❤

Natalie Small launches UR Science Explorers at St. Andrew’s School.

04/15/2026

We love our senior Bonner Scholars and the organizations they engage with so much! They created incredible works of art with guidance from Richmond artist Ham? and shared so many insights on the importance of community engagement at Presentations of Learning last week. ❤️🎓

The Bonner Foundation

04/14/2026

Bonner Scholar Melissa Pacaja interns at Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia (HOME) where her supervisors are like family and she supports their mission to ensure equal access to housing for all people. 💙

The Bonner Foundation

Melissa Pacaja finds community through the Bonner Scholars Program and her internship at Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia.

04/10/2026

By year’s end, our Pathways to a College Experience (PACE) program is on track to welcome more than 600 students from schools across the Richmond region to campus! ❤💙🕸️

PACE isn’t designed to recruit students to Richmond. Its goal is broader: to help young people see college — any college — as possible.

Learn more about PACE which is funded by a grant from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

University of Richmond students oversee tour logistics while building their own skills.

04/09/2026

During this Giving Day, our senior Bonner Scholars shared their art and reflections at Presentations of Learning last night and showed us again why is so important in college – and in life! Thank you, seniors! 🎓🕸️

More photos to come of this special celebration, and there’s still time to give at urhere.richmond.edu. ❤️💙

04/08/2026

It’s UR Here Giving Day! 🎉

In the CCE, we are honored to play a part if helping students engage beyond campus and across the Richmond region!

Your support will contribute to community-based learning classes, student projects with community partners, and more. We invite you show your support at https://www.givecampus.com/schools/UniversityofRichmond/ur-here-giving-day/pages/student-experience/bonner-cce.

03/27/2026

Sharing a little Bonner love from the First-Year Trip to Charlottesville! ❤️

The cohort connected with Legal Aid Justice Center and International Rescue Committee in Charlottesville and explored the Robert Russa Moton Museum - and of course enjoyed great food together!

The Bonner Foundation

03/25/2026

Dr. Christian Voto was a Civic Fellow the summer of 2015 at Health Wagon in rural Virginia when he tested a new drone-delivery system to bring medications to hard-to-reach communities. That test case is now known as the “Kitty Hawk moment” of medical drones, and the Flirtey F3.0 Hexacopter he used is now on display at the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution!

Learn more about Christian's journey – and if you're a current student, the final deadline to apply for a Civic Fellowship is May 1!

Dr. Christian Voto uses lessons from rural healthcare innovation to improve care for older adults in New York City.