Brenda Arias travels a short distance as a commuter from her home to get to classes at Wilkes. But since entering the University, her higher education journey has taken her much further than she ever imagined. She went to Hawaii as part of the Bonner Leader program, presented research at an international conference in Las Vegas and completed an internship at the Hotel Hershey, a four-star luxury hotel in Hershey, Pa., — known as the sweetest place on earth.
As a first-generation college student, Arias feels fortunate to have access to such opportunities. “We come from very humble beginnings,” says Arias, who immigrated from her native Dominican Republic about 11 years ago. “College was never something in my future.”
Participation in the Upward Bound program at Wilkes started her on the path to college. She also began taking classes at the University during high school. When she applied to Wilkes, she was selected for the Wilkes Honors program and for the inaugural cohort in the Bonner Leader program. The Bonner program blends a work-study experience with community service and enrichment activities.
“I fell in love with it and I fell in love with the work that we do,” says Arias, who serves as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) co-coordinator for the group. “I’ve made my closest friends within the program. It’s kind of its own community within itself and the work that we get to do is amazing.”
As a Bonner Leader, Arias’ primary community service placement was with Ruth’s Place House of Hope, a women’s homeless shelter. She began volunteering during her first semester and has remained involved.
“Initially, my role focused on organizing the on-site pantry, but I gradually transitioned into a more direct role with the clients,” she says. “This included leading group sessions and presenting on topics such as interview preparation, professionalism and resume writing.”
As part of her senior capstone project, Arias is collaborating with the Wilkes Marketing Communications Department to create a documentary about the shelter’s work. In addition, she has also volunteered with the Commission on Economic Opportunity and Souper Sundays with the Hospitality Leadership Club, where she serves as president.
A highlight of her time in the Bonner program was a trip to Hawaii in summer 2024. Partnering with Bonner Scholars at the University of Hilo, Arias and other Wilkes students volunteered with O.K. Farms, The Marine Mammal Center and Habitat for Humanity.
Catie Becker, director of civic engagement at Wilkes, says, “As a member of the first cohort of Bonner Leader, Brenda has without a doubt helped to shape and develop the program into what it is today. Her willingness to learn and ask questions makes all of us better and challenges anyone involved with our program to grow…. She has brought grace, resilience and creativity to those she serves on a regular basis and we’re lucky to have that pour over into the Bonner Leader program as well.”
Arias also has excelled academically. The senior hospitality leadership major earned a spot in Delta Mu Delta, the business honor society. Working with her advisor, HyeRyeon Lee, associate professor and chair of the Sidhu School of Business and Leadership, she completed research about ghost kitchens and how consumer perceptions have shifted about them. Ghost kitchens, a phenomenon that developed during the pandemic, prepare food strictly for delivery and pickup orders without being part of a restaurant. Arias presented her research at THEREPS (Tourism, Hospitality and Event Conference for Researchers, Educators, Practitioners and Students) in Las Vegas in 2023. She credits Lee with encouraging her to present her research.
“I don’t like public speaking that much, but she knew that I could do it and she worked with me,” Arias says, adding that such personal attention is one of the benefits at Wilkes. “They take the time to work with you. It’s amazing: It’s one of the reasons why I came here. It’s so small that you get to know your people and you get to know who is in your corner.”
The confidence she gained paid off in summer 2024 when she interned at the Hotel Hershey. Arias says she first connected with hotel representatives at a campus career fair, eventually leading to an internship in hotel operations, where she gained experience in front desk operations and guest services. With the addition of her work at Mohegan Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre, Arias is in a great position to begin her career in the hospitality industry.
As Arias looks toward graduation, she praises her Wilkes experience for the leadership opportunities it’s provided. “I seem to always gravitate towards leadership positions. I’m very grateful for my mentors, because they see that in me….and because they trust me enough to be a leader, and to do the things that I do,” she says.
