Some people thing about voting a few times a year, if that. For Civic Engagement Manager Otto Brown, however, not a day goes by that he isn’t thinking about voting issues like voter registration and voter education. Since September 2023, Brown and the rest of Gephardt’s Engage Democracy team worked on the 2024 ALL IN […]
Author: Isabela Llevat
Alumni Spotlight: Andreas Mitchell AB ’13
“If not for Civic Scholars, I don’t think I would have had the confidence to go down this road.” The lessons Dr. Andreas Mitchell AB ‘13 learned with Civic Scholars inform how he approaches his work today. His time as a Civic Scholar gave him a sense of what civic leadership looks like and whether […]
Civic Scholars journey to DC for first time since 2019
A hallmark of the Civic Scholars Program is the opportunity to travel to Washington DC for a four-day immersion trip. Last month, 32 Class of 2024 and 2025 Civic Scholars learned about the federal policymaking process at the heart of where it takes place, met with federal representatives of St. Louis and Missouri, and discussed […]
Institute to host “The Bill of Obligations” author Dr. Richard Haass on April 1
On April 1 at 4 p.m., Dr. Richard Haass will give an Elliot Stein Lecture in Ethics at the Emerson Auditorium in the Knight Center. Please RSVP. Haass, a veteran diplomat and respected scholar of international relations, will speak on his book, The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens, and the question it […]
Alumni Spotlight: Rachel Harris ’18
Civically minded work does not end when students conclude their time with the Gephardt Institute, which holds true for alumna Rachel Harris ‘18. During her time at WashU, Harris double majored in Educational Studies and Spanish while working at the Institute, which led her to the work she does today. For the last four […]
2024 election series launches with kick-off social
“Five, four, three, two, one” At the Engage Democracy 2024 Kick-Off Social, Associate Director for Civic Engagement Alannah Glickman led a crowded room of students through a mindful exercise focusing on the five senses. Each person focused on their surroundings to practice self-care for the election year ahead. On Jan. 25, the Gephardt Institute hosted […]
Students develop civic interests in Gephardt internships and fellowships
Behind all the Gephardt Institute does is a team of student staff doing vital work to drive the institute’s efforts. Through internship positions for both undergraduate and graduate students, the institute offers students the ability to develop and practice skills in a workplace environment on campus. These internships are perfect opportunities for students to explore […]
Students build on community impact with Partnership Extension grants
Last month with the launch of the St. Louis Impact Fund, the Gephardt Institute introduced Partnership Extension Grants. Civic Scholars and St. Louis Fellows spend the majority of their summer during the programs cultivating relationships with community partners to impact change. The Partnership Extension Grants help students maintain these connections and continue with important projects […]
One year until 2024 election, Brown sets sights on voter engagement
“I love this job. I have really enjoyed getting to know our staff as a colleague and getting to know them as people more so than I did when I was a student here.” Otto Brown ‘23 may have a new title, but he is a familiar face at Stix House. From leading WashU Votes […]
Civic Scholars reflect on summer experiences in Share Out
“This experience grew my confidence and my ability to execute my vision.” Elisabeth-Monique Tossa ‘24 was one of 16 Civic Scholars in the senior class to present their work from the summer to family, friends and other members of the WashU and St. Louis community at the Civic Scholars Share Out. Held on Oct. […]
Gephardt enlists student advisors to help inform programming
In a new effort to further boost student input and collaboration, the Gephardt Institute launched a new Student Advisory Council this fall. The Student Advisory Council (SAC) is comprised of 18 students who will advise on key opportunities and needs related to Gephardt’s mission. In the spirit of active listening, Gephardt will engage the advisory […]
New St. Louis Impact Fund uplifts students’ community projects
The St. Louis Impact Fund catalyzes substantive regional partnerships through four grant categories and will grant up to $50,000 this year. In line with Gephardt Institute’s mission to foster student community engagement, the St. Louis Impact Fund will equip students to effectively foster intentional and mutually beneficial relationships with community partners. “Community partnerships invite dialogue, […]
WashU celebrates LGBTQ+ experiences through “Joy as Resistance” art show
Opening night for “The Queer Experience: Joy as Resistance” art exhibition was held at Stix House on Oct. 20. Curated by WashU students Chethan Chandra ‘26, Sophie Lin ‘26, and Aspen Schisler ‘26, the multimedia art exhibit showcases work by queer, trans, and other WashU students who want to highlight and uplift the LGBTQIA+ experience. […]
Work with LGBTQ+ youth inspires “The Queer Experience” art show
By Sophie Lin ‘26 2023 WUpan Fellow St. Louis Fellowships Program This summer, I had the honor of being the inaugural WashU Pride Alumni Network Fellow through the Gephardt Institute’s St. Louis Fellows program. The St. Louis Fellowship is a 10-week summer experience in St. Louis where students receive funding to conduct unpaid internships in civic and […]
Institute awards nine students grants to further St. Louis Impact
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 […]
Past and present Civic Scholars getting into trubel (&co)
“I have a strong passion for people and that has led me to this path toward education. I received a lot of great education in my childhood and my parents came here from Nigeria because of education, so I always understood the power of giving back.” Knowing the power of mentoring and engaging others in […]
Students eager to learn about Gephardt at orientation events
From the Danforth campus to the School of Medicine and even the St. Louis Zoo, the Gephardt Institute is involved with orientation efforts to meet with students of every background at WashU. In the incoming class of 2027 alone, there is representation from all 50 states and 33 other countries. Over half of the class […]
Engagement fair slated to help students find their civic interests
The Gephardt Institute’s annual Civic Engagement Fair brings together student organizations and efforts for social change in one place, at one time. On Sept. 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the South 40 Clocktower Patio, students are welcome to peruse a wide range of student-led social action groups and volunteer opportunities. Featuring over 50 […]
Institute to host WashU’s inaugural”The Longest Table” next week
On Wednesday, Sept. 6, the Gephardt Institute will host WashU’s inaugural The Longest Table event. The event will bring together hundreds of WashU students for a dinner—and facilitated conversation—on long rows of tables on Mudd Field, for a low-pressure environment for students to progress on their journey to civic involvement. “The goal of The Longest […]
STL Fellow finds illumination on local government in summer internship
“Behind an elected official is an army of individuals who dedicate their time, and have genuine interest, in improving the communities they represent and live in…I have a newfound respect and admiration for all of these individuals.” These are just a couple of the lessons that Goldman Fellow Jesse Sanchez ’25 learned through the St. […]
Mack using intersection of humanity and data to address violence
For Dylan Mack, a Class of 2024 Bob and Gerry Virgil Civic Scholar humanity should always be at the core of data science. “As someone who is interested in data, it’s so important to always have in the forefront of your mind that every single data point is a person, first and foremost,” Mack said. […]
Immersion trips for Fellows offer in-depth experiences in STL neighborhoods
As a part of their commitment to serve St. Louis effectively and responsibly, Gephardt Institute’s 2023 St. Louis Fellows listen and learn from local St. Louisans through Engage STL Days, where they visit local neighborhoods and hear from community members. The institute’s 33 fellows had the opportunity to interact with two cultural hubs in St. […]
Fellows impact STL by day, build strong friendships by night
What are Gephardt Institute’s Civic Scholars and Fellows doing in the evening when they’re not actively pursuing community and social impact? The answers are every bit as interesting and diverse as the students who offer them. For Demarion Delaney, a St. Louis Fellow, time away from work means time working on the “two man whole.” […]
Fellows supporting St. Louis, building civic skills through local organizations
“It takes time to heal from the trauma of gun violence,” Dr. LJ Punch, the founder of the Bullet Related Injury Clinic, told St. Louis Public Radio at the end of 2022. “Unfortunately, in St. Louis, bullet-related injury is endemic,” Punch said. “It brings up all the other traumas that you didn’t get the chance […]