Updated: May 27, 2025, at 9:59 p.m.

Assistant Director of Student Involvement and Leadership David Bonilla-Ciferri has left the University after three years to join an east coast-based Orangetheory Fitness franchisee, according to a LinkedIn post.

Bonilla-Ciferri served as the assistant director of student involvement and leadership for nearly three years, joining the Division for Student Affairs in July 2022 after working in various student events roles at the University of Maryland, according to his LinkedIn. Bonilla-Ciferri concluded his time at GW this past Friday, joining Empire Portfolio Group, a company that operates over 150 Orangetheory Fitness franchises in the northeast and mid-Atlantic, where he will oversee Orangetheory’s three studios in D.C.

“I’ve had the opportunity to perform beyond the job title and have gotten to access spaces and conversations that I don’t know I otherwise would have,” Bonilla-Ciferri said in a LinkedIn post. 

It is not clear if the University has filled the position, however, there is no job posting for Bonilla-Ciferri’s former position as of Sunday. He is no longer listed as a member of DSA on the department’s MyGW directory.

Bonilla-Ciferri said in a message to the Hatchet that his decision to leave GW was “largely” due to low salaries and a lack of career advancement opportunities.

“Ultimately, I think more GW staff members need to seek other opportunities unless GW significantly adjusts its salary structure and provides more opportunities for growth,” Bonilla-Ciferri said in a LinkedIn message.

During Bonilla-Ciferri’s time at GW, he helped advise 10 student organizations, including the Student Government Association, where he coordinated with candidates during elections and advised on funding allocations and operations. He also served as the primary administrator for GW Engage and deployed DSA staff to student-organized protests to ensure demonstrators understood their “rights and responsibilities,” according to his LinkedIn.

Bonilla-Ciferri frequently visited the pro-Palestinian encampment in University Yard last year with other DSA officials like Dean of Students Colette Coleman and Assistant Dean of Student Life Brian Joyce. 

Bonilla-Ciferri also worked with the SGA and student organizations on campus to create a fund for student events with over 350 people in the 2022-2023 academic year, however the fund was depleted before the end of the academic year.

“I’ve learned the importance of sticking to your values even when it’s difficult, knowing yourself and your worth, and that leading with care and empathy will always make a difference in the lives of those around you,” Bonilla-Ciferri said in his post. 

Bonilla-Ciferri holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Florida State University and a master’s degree in student affairs from UMD, according to his LinkedIn. He worked at FSU in the final year of his undergraduate studies as a conference services coordinator and worked at UMD for five years in different capacities, including as a program coordinator and parent and family orientation coordinator.

This post was updated to reflect the following:

This post was updated to include a comment from David Bonilla-Ciferri.