Kenyon Robert Bonner, EdD ’90

“Lift as you climb.”

Biography

Rising to the challenge is the norm for Kenyon, who joined the University of Pittsburgh’s Division of Student Affairs in 2004 as Assistant Director of Residence Life. Now as Vice Provost for Students Affairs, Kenyon leads a complex team of 200 individuals serving 30,000 students. This past year, Kenyon effectively and empathetically guided his staff as they cared for the social, emotional, physical and mental well-being of undergraduate and graduate students through the pandemic and helped lead the University’s collective response to addressing the pervasive and adverse effects of systemic racism. Kenyon listened to and worked with Black student leaders to hear their concerns and led the development of a comprehensive Anti-racism Action Plan for Student Affairs, to which the Black Senate responded positively. More than a decade ago, Kenyon was instrumental in creating Pitt Make a Difference Day (PMADD), a university-wide community service project that sends thousands of students, staff and alumni to volunteer alongside more than 90 community agencies and nonprofits that has since expanded into a national model. Committed to caring for students and helping his community, Kenyon volunteers throughout the year by mentoring Black youth through a variety of programs. He holds leadership roles in the Southwestern Pennsylvania chapters of the United Way and American Red Cross and also Family House Pittsburgh, an organization that provides a special “home away from home” for patients and/or their families in Pittsburgh seeking medical treatment.

Education

EdD in Higher Education Management, University of Pennsylvania

MEd in Rehabilitation Counseling, Kent State University

BA in Psychology and Philosophy, Washington and Jefferson College

Current Occupation

Vice Provost for Student Affairs, University of Pittsburgh

Achievements

• Recipient of Washington and Jefferson College’s Waltersdorf Award for Innovation Leadership, 2017

• Chancellor’s Award for Staff Excellence in Service to the University of Pittsburgh, 2013 • Co-chair of the United Way of Southwest PA Impact Cabinet

• Board of Directors for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross

• Board of Directors, Family House Pittsburgh

I am deeply humbled to be recognized by my alma mater, Cleveland Heights High School. As an educator, one of the greatest honors is to be recognized by students. I stand on the shoulders of the people in my life, both at Heights and beyond, who sacrificed, mentored, taught, and challenged me to strive to be the best version of myself. I am grateful and appreciative and will honor them by continuing to lift as I climb.