Welcome to the Gephardt Institute
for Civic and Community Engagement

We foster a vibrant culture of civic engagement throughout Washington University by supporting students in turning their passions into action.

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What We Do

The Gephardt Institute works with students across all eight academic schools—at both the graduate and undergraduate levels—to ensure robust and high-quality civic engagement opportunities on campus and in St. Louis.

We work closely with community organizations in the St. Louis region to facilitate effective partnerships with WashU departments and organizations to address community needs and priorities.

We also support alumni-led efforts to foster a lifetime of
civic engagement.

Educating Students for Lifelong Engaged Citizenship

We inspire WashU students to actively engage in addressing social challenges. This arc of engagement begins with the first-year experience and continues beyond graduation.

Cultivating Campus and Community Partnerships

We catalyze campus and community partnerships that respond to community needs and priorities. We focus on trust, collaboration, and shared goals. 

Infusing Civic
Engagement Throughout WashU

We advance WashU’s mission by supporting civic learning, leadership, and impact that reaches students, faculty, staff, alumni, community partners, and supporters.

New In the Lou

St. Louis is a vibrant region with many stories and places to explore. Check out our online guide to being an engaged member of the St. Louis community, and start your civic journey at WashU.  

Experience New in the Lou

Gephardt Institute News and Events

Alumni Spotlight: Tishiya “T” Carey ’21

September 28, 2023
“It’s important to continue to build on things, it’s important to understand the context. It’s important to fully understand, I think, the impact of what it is that you want to do, what it is you’re trying to do, and how you’re trying to do it.”  After graduating from WashU in 2021, Tishiya “T” Carey […]

Institute awards nine students grants to further St. Louis Impact

September 28, 2023
As part of a new initiative to provide further financial support of student community engagement in St. Louis, the Gephardt Institute awarded grants totaling more than $11,000 to nine students this month.   Partnership Extension Grants aim to help students in the institute’s Civic Leadership Programs—Civic Scholars and St. Louis Fellows—continue internships with their community partner […]

“The Longest Table” hosts 150 students for dinner and civic dialogue

September 28, 2023
In its inaugural event for WashU, The Longest Table was a hit as students gathered en masse to share a meal and talk with each other about their civic interests and visions for their communities.   “We talked about how to improve society in terms of general hopes, and I guess fears about what’s going on, […]
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Imagine The Future With Us

The Gephardt Institute is creating pathways for WashU students
to become lifelong engaged citizens. The urgent challenges today
require the focus, resolve, participation, and leadership of current
and future generations.

With your support, we will ensure that
WashU graduates embrace their opportunity to help make our
nation a more perfect union for all.

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