Colleen Brady’s civic journey can be charted from her time as a WashU student involved in the Community Service Office (CSO), to her current role as a Senior Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Specialist at ZemiTek LLC, working with USAID. Her story is one of dedication to community service, commitment to social impact work, and a […]
Author: Elizabeth Salley
Alumni Spotlight: Tishiya “T” Carey ’21
“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 […]
From WashU to the ACLU: How Jeremy Scheiner forged his path for a career in civil rights and equity
With a passion for both education and social justice, the path of Jeremy Scheiner ‘13 has taken him from WashU’s campus to the forefront of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Through his experiences at WashU, previous role leading a Gephardt Institute tutoring partnership with KIPP, and his subsequent career, Scheiner exemplifies the power of […]
MAAY Foundation, Gephardt Fellows uplifting Asian American communities
In 2019, Caroline Fan, a passionate St. Louis visionary and organizer, founded the Missouri Asian American Youth (MAAY) Foundation. Fan was driven by a powerful desire to uplift marginalized communities through education and opportunity. As president of the MAAY Foundation, she leads the creation of an organized voice for the AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, […]
Alumni Spotlight: Burton transforming education and philanthropy
For Ryan Burton, working at the intersections of education, philanthropy, and community development helped land him a spot at Harvard. Burton is a candidate in the Doctor of Education Leadership program, which utilizes a cohort model taught by faculty from three different Harvard schools and is designed for those pursuing vocations in systems-level leadership in […]
Allen and Caldie drive civic engagement through creative communication
Behind the Gephardt Institute newsletters, website, social media, flyers, and more, there are two individuals ensuring that you know what we are about: Our mission and possibilities. Meet Scott Allen and Lara Caldie, the Subaru-driving, cat owning, Hoosier State hailing creative minds—along with a team of part-time staff and student interns—leading Gephardt marketing and communication. […]
Alumni Spotlight: Underwood charts journey from WashU to the White House
From her undergraduate origins at WashU to her role with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy team in San Francisco, Karin Underwood’s civic journey is a powerful example of a life dedicated to civic engagement. Each experience has served as an impactful cornerstone that paved her way to the White House and […]
Honoring our 2021 Student Staff Graduates
Amidst a year of exceptional challenges, we look for moments of appreciation and celebration. We’re pleased to honor our Gephardt Institute student staff graduates and celebrate their achievements, not only professionally, but personally. From navigating a global pandemic and heightened global issues of racial injustice to adjusting to online classes and new realities, our students […]
Q & A with Dr. Shruti Desai
Our Associate Director and Chief of Staff, Dr. Shruti Desai, is making exciting leaps and transitioning to Associate Vice President of Student Affairs for Campus Life at Duke University! Here, Shruti reflects on her time at the Gephardt Institute and offers advice for the next leader to fill her (big!) shoes. What is a favorite […]
US Elections 101: Partnership with the Office for International Students and Scholars
In preparation for Election Day, the Gephardt Institute and our campus partners mobilized efforts to register voters, educate voters, and ensure voters make their voices heard. Suffrage is at the core of U.S. democracy, but for the international student body of Washington University, civic engagement is still possible outside the ballot box. International students comprise […]
Washington University designated ‘Voter-Friendly Campus’
By Diane Toroian Keaggy • March 15, 2019 Originally featured in The Source Washington University in St. Louis has been recognized, for the second time, as a “Voter-Friendly Campus” by the Campus Vote Project and NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. The Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement, through its comprehensive Engage Democracy initiative, increased voter […]
Class of 2021 Spotlight: Andrew Whitaker
By Leslie Gibson McCarthy • October 28, 2020 Originally published in The Source Andrew Whitaker has spent his undergraduate career at Washington University in St. Louis giving back. A biomedical engineering major at the McKelvey School of Engineering, he has danced and played with kids who have cerebral palsy so they can put on a dance recital through Dance […]
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3
By Diane Toroian Keaggy • October 30, 2020 Article featured in The Source Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, and the Washington University in St. Louis Athletic Complex is ready to welcome students, faculty and staff who are registered to vote in St. Louis County. Polls open at 6 a.m Tuesday and will remain open until all voters […]
Half of WU students voted in 2016. Turnout this year may look different.
Matthew Friedman | Associate Editor • November 3, 2020 Originally featured in Student Life When Lindsay Gassman was a second year student at Washington University in the fall of 2018, she noticed that few of her peers were thinking ahead about voting in the upcoming midterm elections. The midterms generated some energy and enthusiasm on campus, she recalled, […]
Former Congressman Gephardt part of panel on election integrity
The article below was written by By Diane Toroian Keaggy and published in The Source on October 21, 2020. Former Congressman Richard Gephardt does not know who will win the 2020 presidential election. Nor does he know when the race will be called. But Gephardt does believe the election will be safe, secure and fair. “People […]
Goldman Fellows Program Pivots During COVID-19
Back in March, it was hard to imagine what the summer might hold. Indeed, the decision to move forward with the Goldman Fellows Program this year was fraught with concerns about how the COVID-19 pandemic was impacting our students and St. Louis community organizations. Ultimately, moving forward with the program in a remote format proved to be […]
Community Engaged Courses Move Online
Planning to teach Community Engaged Courses this year has presented new challenges, but also opportunities. Seema Dahlheimer, Senior Lecturer at the McKelvey School of Engineering Communication Center, and Tucker Krone, Adjunct lecturer at the McKelvey School of Engineering Communication Center, were teaching their community connected course, Engineers in the Community, when Chancellor Martin announced the transition […]
The Making and Debut of #ThisCivicMoment Series
Background The foundation of civic and community engagement is in reflection and reflexivity – a process of thinking about critical incidents that help us to learn, grow, and deepen our civic commitments. In the spirit of reflexivity, the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement began a new initiative this summer called This Civic Moment. […]
Civic Engagement Fund Projects Go Virtual in 2020
The Civic Engagement Fund is a resource for Washington University students, faculty, and staff that provides funding for civic projects and community initiatives in St. Louis. Among the different Civic Engagement Fund Grants, the Community Partnership Grant specifically supports the development of new initiatives, as well as the further expansion of smaller projects. These projects […]
Washington University students get out the vote on campus, in the community
The article below was written by Diane Toroian Keaggy and published October 9, 2020 in The Source. View the original post. Washington University in St. Louis students are not only excited to vote in the upcoming election, they are stepping up to help others on campus and in the community cast their ballots as well. […]
Virtual Educational Equity Opportunity for Students
Matriculate is a national nonprofit that matches high achieving, low-income high school students with current college students who advise them throughout the college process. The organization is currently recruiting new Advising Fellows to work with high school juniors. Students can learn more at matriculate.org, and find the full volunteer position description here. They can apply here and also […]
Volunteer To Virtually Help Foreign Students Practice English
ENGin is looking for volunteers aged 15-22 to serve as speaking buddies for international students. This is a super flexible and unique opportunity to make a difference without leaving your room. To join the team, please fill out this short form here. ENGin will reach out to schedule a 15-20 minute video call to provide […]
Fall 2020 Danforth Campus Ballot Notarization Events
The Gephardt Institute is offering notaries at the Danforth campus to notarize ballots for WashU students, employees, and contract workers before the November election. Please sign up for a 15-minute window. Before arriving to campus, you must complete the WashU COVID-19 screening and forward your results to lindsaygassman@wustl.edu. When you come to campus, you must wear a mask at all […]
Attend Community Engagement Training Sessions
Join the Gephardt Institute for a two-part series on Community Engagement. The two 1.5 hour sessions will be focused on developing community partnerships that are mutually beneficial, considering how social identities and systemic inequities affect community engagement, and understanding a strengths-based perspective. Participants will be invited to reflect on how their particular student group is responding to […]
Volunteer at the Danforth Campus Polling Location
Are you interested in helping with the on-campus polling location? Responsibilities will include engaging students while they wait in line, answering questions about voting, checking for voter suppression, and more. To express your interest, please fill out this form. Please note that this is a volunteer position and is different than working for the Board […]
Faculty and Librarians Bring Information Literacy to the Classroom
In the current social and political climate, the need for information literacy is increasingly evident as we have seen misinformation campaigns about COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement, among other issues. A second cohort of the Information Literacy Learning Community (ILLC) took place virtually this summer from August 31 to September 3 with five […]
Attend “New in the Lou” Panel Series
The Gephardt Institute is hosting New in the Lou, a series of panel discussions to catalyze dialogue about St. Louis through the eyes of our local community. Conversations are geared towards undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty/staff, with attention on new members of the WashU community. Attendees will be entered to win swag from STL […]
Attend “Race, Sex, and Voting Rights: Past, Present, and Future”
Join WashULaw Professors Travis Crum, Elizabeth Katz and Professor Gilda Daniels, University of Baltimore School of Law; Director of Litigation, Advancement Project; and Author, Uncounted: The Crisis of Voter Suppression in America as they present “Race, Sex, and Voting Rights: Past, Present, and Future” on Monday, September 21, 4-5pmCST. MCLE 1.0 You can register to watch their conversation virtually […]
Attend Gephardt Institute Virtual Open Hours
The Gephardt Institute staff would love to talk with you about your interests, ideas, plans, and passions. We offer resources for both undergraduate and graduate students and are happy to answer quick questions or to engage in broader discussions. Weekly Virtual Open Hours:Wednesdays, 3-5pm CTZoom: bit.ly/3bomHax Learn more about open hours: gephardtinstitute.wustl.edu/connect/open-hours
Call for #ThisCivicMoment Series Submissions and Nominations
The foundation of civic and community engagement is in critical reflection – a process of thinking about circumstances that help us to learn, grow, and deepen our civic commitments. We invite you to reflect on this civic moment and commit to action as we explore how we engage with the civic impact of COVID-19 and the Movement for Black […]
Join the RSVP Center for a Trauma Support Group
Looking for support? Identify as a survivor? Seeking community? Consider joining the RSVP Center sponsored Trauma Support Group beginning this Fall 2020. Healing can be most powerful when done through connection and community. Within this group, expect to process the impact trauma has had on your life, build practical skills in managing trauma symptoms, and […]
Apply for the Grinnell College Innovator for Social Justice Prize
The Grinnell College Innovator for Social Justice Prize (the Grinnell Prize) honors individuals who have demonstrated leadership in their fields and who show creativity, commitment, and extraordinary accomplishment in effecting positive social change. Each prize carries an award of $50,000, half to the winning individual(s) and half to their related, nominated organization. Nominations are due […]
Apply for the Community Engagement Opportunity Fund
Administered in partnership with Washington University’s Office for Student Success and the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement, the Community Engagement Opportunity Fund is designed to remove financial barriers for students engaging in civic and/or community engagement projects throughout the St. Louis community. Beginning in September, and for the duration of the 2020-21 academic […]
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Virtual Midwest 2020 Walk
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), the leading nonprofit supporting those affected by eating disorders, is committed to building communities of hope, strength, and healing. Since there is a pause on large in-person gatherings, NEDA is going virtual with events – because we need community now more than ever. We’re excited to announce that we’re […]
Attend the 13th Annual Institute for Public Health Conference
How prepared were we as a local/state/global community for the COVID-19 pandemic and how are we doing? What are the hidden costs of the pandemic? How can effective outreach and communication in the workforce, in schools, and among the public help? Discuss responses, lessons learned and our course toward recovery to a healthier future. Free […]
Class of 2021 Civic Scholars: Summer Spotlights
Over the past few months, Civic Scholars pivoted and exercised creativity to reimagine their Civic Summers. The Civic Summer is an integral extension of their coursework – a time for Civic Scholars to apply what they have learned over the course of two semesters, in partnership with community organizations or self-directed under the guidance of […]
College of Arts & Sciences Launches Pilot Program “Practical Apps” in Collaboration with the Gephardt Institute
This summer, many students were forced to cancel or shift their summer plans in light of COVID-19. In response, the College of Arts and Sciences launched a pilot program called “Practical Apps” through which students could submit a pitch to work on a self-designed summer project. As part of this program, the Gephardt Institute had […]
Teaching and Learning for Social Impact: Resources for (Re)Designing Your Course
Teaching and learning this year are going to be unlike any time before. We are living in the midst of a global pandemic, our country is being forced to contend with racism and anti-Blackness, and we will teach and learn in the midst of an election that will undoubtedly have incredible ramifications. In addition to […]
Apply for Marketing Specialist Intern Position with Encore STL
Encore STL is a production team dedicated to producing culturally relevant media and live productions. While they are performing artists, they are also educators and activists that aspire to use digital media and theater as a tool to impact and transform communities. Encore STL is seeking a savvy individual who likes to connect with people […]
Join Weekly WashU Virtual Connecting
Do you miss running into an old friend while waiting in line for coffee? Or hanging around the water cooler and chatting mid-day with colleagues? What about meeting a new person in Chem 111 or at a symposium? Well, now you don’t have to! Join the Skandalaris Center for a weekly Meetaway. This is 30 […]
Census Summer: Behind the scenes with Sophomore Otto Brown
“As a college student, completing the census is a way for you to give back to St. Louis beyond the time you spent at WashU.” Sophomore Otto Brown spent part of his summer as a census worker. Knocking on doors in his own neighborhood gave him a new perspective and appreciation for the work that […]
Making Dreams Reality on the Bridge from Research to Practice
In the article below, guest writer Dr. Saras Chung highlights her work to create two-way bridges between researchers and practitioners who can co-design system-level strategies to enhance educational equity in St. Louis. Dr. Chung is Executive Director of SkipNV and a Faculty Affiliate for the Social System Design Lab at Washington University in St. Louis’ […]
Announcing 2019 Goldman Fellows
Congratulations to the 2019 Goldman Fellows! The Goldman Fellows Program, funded by the Joyce and Irving Goldman Family Foundation, is a competitive fellowship that provides $5,000 summer stipends for continuing undergraduate students who secure unpaid internships at nonprofit, community, or governmental organizations in the St. Louis region. Fellows are supported by a network of peers and […]