You want to make a difference and lead us to a better future. We’ll help you make an impact today and prepare for a lifetime of leading change.
At the Gephardt Institute, we combine learning and doing through experiential education that will help you translate your passions, skills, and career goals into civic impact. Through our Lead Change programs, you’ll engage with civic and community leaders from a variety of industries, build dialogue and collaboration skills to move difficult work forward, and effect change through internships, community partnerships, and campus leadership.
Whether you’re an aspiring change maker or you want to expand on your previous experience and impact, we offer a range of opportunities to help you further your vision for a better world.
Explore our programs and be sure to monitor application deadlines. We’re looking for students who will bring curiosity, an open mind, a hunger for growth, and a passion for change. If you bring these qualities, we encourage you to apply regardless of your past leadership experience.
Civic Scholars
Engage in an in-depth two-year curriculum and Civic Summer to hone your passion and develop your skills for civic leadership. Apply as a sophomore for your junior and seniors years.
St. Louis Impact Fund
Apply for the funding you need to further your community partnership projects and engage with St. Louis.
St. Louis Fellows
Engage with St. Louis through a six-month experiential curriculum and summer internship to build your civic leadership skills and advance our region.
Gephardt Student
Internship Program
Support the institute’s initiatives through paid internships and graduate assistantships while sharpening your professional skills and building your civic leadership and career experience.
Program Comparison
| Civic Scholars Program | St. Louis Fellows Program | Gephardt Institute Internship Program | St. Louis Impact Fund | |
| Program Focus | Civic Scholars is a rigorous two-year academic program that includes four semesters of coursework, leadership training, mentorship, experiential learning, overnight immersion trips, and a funded Civic Summer project. | St. Louis Fellows is a competitive summer fellowship program featuring a 10-week, full-time summer internship at a St. Louis area nonprofit or civic organization and an experiential curriculum that explores St. Louis’ history, culture, politics, challenges, and opportunities. | The Gephardt Student Internship Program provides students substantive opportunities for meaningful and impactful work on campus to support the Institute’s mission. | The St. Louis Impact Fund catalyzes and supports mutually beneficial relationships between Washington University students and community organizations aiming to advance efforts critical to community needs. |
| Program Eligibility | Rising sophomores and juniors. | First-years, sophomores, and juniors. (You must be enrolled as an undergraduate student in fall 2024). | All undergraduate and graduate students. | All full-time undergraduate, graduate and professional students. |
| Regional Focus | Civic Summer projects can be completed anywhere within the US or internationally | St. Louis Metro Area | WashU community | St. Louis Metro Area |
| Program Length | Civic Scholars is a two-year program completed Fall 2025 through Spring 2027 | St. Louis Fellows is a 6-month program completed June 2025 through August 2025, with required events in the spring and fall. | Student internship positions run through the academic year, with some summer opportunities. | Applications for the St. Louis Impact Fund’s Transform Grant are due in early fall, with workshops during fall semester and funds awarded in spring. Other grants are awarded on a rolling basis. |
| Funding | $7,500 base stipend for Civic Summer + $1,000 supplemental stipend for students with families with high financial need, as determined by Student Financial Services. Civic Scholars may also apply for up to $1,000 to cover Civic Summer project expenses. Civic Summer projects based in St. Louis are eligible to apply for grants through the St. Louis Impact Fund. | $7,500 base stipend for summer internship + $1,000 supplemental stipend for students with families with high financial need, as determined by Student Financial Services. St. Louis Fellows are eligible to apply for grants through the St. Louis Impact Fund. | Hourly pay, starting at $12.50/hr for undergraduates, and $15.50 for graduate students. | Grants ranging from $500 to $10,000. |
| Academic Credits | 6 | 3 | N/A | N/A |
Related Resources
- stlouis.wustl.edu – The official website for WashU’s “In St. Louis, For St. Louis” Initiative
- Campus Y – Get connected to boots-on-the-ground volunteer opportunities
- Opportunities Newsletter – Find more ways to engage in your community, sent each Friday
- WUGO – The WashU Student Group Organizer