Program Overview
Introduction to the Jenks Leadership Program
The Jenks Leadership Program (JLP) is the signature student leadership program of the Winston Center for Leadership and Ethics and the Boston College community. It identifies and prepares undergraduate men and women to take up leadership roles in the service of others and the common good.
About the Program
The JLP is strongly influenced by Robert Greenleaf's work on Servant Leadership and provides a solid foundation to enable its graduates to become responsible leaders in a global society. This complements Sandy Jenks's original vision and fits the motto he developed, "Learning for Leadership, Leadership for Service."
Semester Modules
The program consists of three semester modules:
- Individual Leadership (Spring Semester I): A series of workshops that work on developing participants' individual leadership skills.
- Team Leadership (Fall Semester I): Workshops that focus on the dynamics of team leadership, with participants grouped into small teams to plan a service project.
- Service Project (Spring Semester II): Teams execute their service projects.
Service Projects
Examples of service projects include:
- Operation Thank You: Supporting veterans and active-duty military personnel by organizing care packages, letter-writing campaigns, and raising awareness about mental health, veteran suicide, and homelessness.
- BC Builders: Building a sustainable and enriching garden space at the Boston Renaissance Charter Public School to promote hands-on learning, environmental stewardship, and community connection.
- Menstrual Rights for Incarcerated Women: Restoring self-respect and dignity to incarcerated women by providing care packages of menstrual products.
- Admission Academy: Helping make college more accessible for students at The English High School by offering a crash course guide to the Common Application and college essay writing process.
- CuraCare Kits: Raising awareness about the challenges of caregiving and advocating for more inclusive support systems at the BC Campus School by providing self-care baskets.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
The program is open to all Boston College freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. Selection criteria include:
- Commitment to and potential for leadership
- Strong commitment to service for others
- Ability to contribute to group learning
- Commitment to attend and participate in all program events
Meet the Jenks Class
The program includes a diverse group of students from various backgrounds and majors, each with their unique experiences and motivations for joining the Jenks Leadership Program.
Joseph G. Bonito Servant Leadership Award
This award is presented to a Jenks graduating student who best exemplifies the Jenks program's motto "learning for leadership and leadership for service." The award is named after Joe Bonito, a dedicated alumnus who has given over four decades of service to the Jenks Leadership Program.
Past Recipients
Past recipients of the Joseph G. Bonito Servant Leadership Award include:
- 2024: Dylan Carollo '25
- 2023: Isabella Sepulveda '25
- 2022: Mehdi Kayi '24
- 2021: Kayla Hernandez '23
- 2020: Jason Kauper '21
- 2019: Claire Greydanus '21
- 2018: Susan Kurtis '18
- 2017: Ashton Gillespie '18
Weston M. "Sandy" Jenks
Sandy Jenks founded the Leadership Training Group in 1967, which later became the Jenks Leadership Program. He was a counselor, teacher, and mentor who dedicated his life to helping students develop their leadership skills and commitment to service.