Cultivating the next generation of civic leaders

More students than ever have committed their time, their energy, and their minds to civic change by joining the Gephardt Institute’s civic leadership programs.   The new cohorts of Civic Scholars and St. Louis Fellowship programs were selected after a rigorous recruitment and selection cycle, which included an application process that urged students to meaningfully […]

Sociology course illuminates path to meaningful philanthropy

Earlier this month, students in Philanthropy Lab—a course supported by the Gephardt Institute—heard from a panel on how to appropriately vet organizations and fund initiatives to better impact the root issues of community needs.   Philanthropy Lab, a course in Arts & Sciences’ Department of Sociology, gives students a theoretical and practical understanding of philanthropy today. […]

“The Little Things” to debut this month

How do civic and community issues inform and influence art—and how does art inform how we respond to the issues facing our communities? Explore how art informs and spotlights the role of personal action and community impact at The Little Things Art Exhibition.    It’s the first-ever student-art exhibit for the Gephardt Institute for Civic and […]

Civic Journey: From St. Louis Fellow to Gephardt engagement specialist

One St. Louis Fellow’s journey brought her even closer to the Gephardt Institute last year.   Since last June , Sophie Devincenti has served as Gephardt’s Student Engagement Specialist. Hailing from Mill Valley, Calif., Sophie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from WashU in the Class of 2022, majoring in Educational Studies and Studio Art and […]

Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Award Spotlight: Shirley Brown

As we prepare to celebrate our 2023 Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Award honorees and the 20th anniversary of the awards, we take a moment to reflect on one of the exemplary individuals who embodies the core principles of this special university honor.   In 2008, Shirley Brown was recognized for her remarkable contributions […]

Graduate Impact Forum: The effects of climate change on mental health

On Monday, Jan. 30, the Graduate Impact Forum welcomed Chris Weatherly, a Ph.D. Candidate in Social Work at the Brown School. Weatherly’s research focuses on the intersection of mental health and climate change, building on his work with farmers, victims of natural disasters, and livestock and wildlife veterinarians.   Joined by more than 30 WashU graduate […]

“Pitch Panels” help Civic Scholars sharpen proposals for Civic Summer Projects

Civic Scholars in the junior cohort presented their proposed Civic Summer projects to panelists in February. This summer, the 18 Civic Scholars in the junior cohort will each receive a $6,000 stipend in lieu of summer earnings to implement the Civic Summer plans they have been developing throughout the academic year.   The goal of the […]

STL County prosecutor talks equity in justice system at Civic Café

The Gephardt Institute welcomed Wesley Bell, prosecuting attorney for St. Louis County, to its Jan. 31 Civic Café. A weekly event, Civic Café hosts guest speakers from WashU and the St. Louis region with students for salon-style conversations on civic topics and civic skillbuilding.  Elected in 2018, Wesley Bell became the first African American to […]

Civic Scholar Mariah Davis ’24: Work with Gephardt Institute has “lit a fire in me”

Mariah Davis ’24, a Kleinhandler Civic Scholar, reflects on her civic journey during her time working with the Gephardt Institute. The following essay by Davis exemplifies the Gephardt Institute’s goal of empowering and challenging students to meet the issues facing our society with passion, care and, above all, hope for the future.  The American experiment […]

New ChangeMaker Series hosts alumnus Marcus Brown

As part of a new event series created to make meaningful connections between civic leaders who are impacting their community and current students who aspire to do the same, Marcus Brown AB ’13, MSW ’16 spoke before a crowd of students and faculty/staff about his career experience at U.S. Bank.   His talk kicked off the […]

New Gephardt staff complete leadership team

Marking the culmination of an intentional hiring process conducted over the course last year, the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement announces the completion of its new leadership team.   “Our new leadership team represents an important milestone for the Gephardt Institute as we conclude our 18th year and build for the future,” said Stephanie […]

Civic Scholars launch spring semester with immersion trip

Junior and senior Civic Scholars embarked on a four-day immersion through the St. Louis region, capping their winter break with an in-depth experience of the history, issues and political structures of the area.   On Jan. 10-13, 30 Civic Scholars joined Gephardt Institute facilitators Dr. Alannah Glickman, Associate Director for Civic Engagement; Sarah Nash, Community Engagement […]

Gephardt marks success of new weekly events

Civic Café and Food for Thought—new programs for the fall 2022 semester—give WashU students a regular and unintimidating forum to drop in, discuss community and civic issues with experts, and weigh in during open conversation. Both weekly conversations are served over food from locally owned eateries.  

Announcing Civic Action Week, Sept. 25-30

In collaboration with the Women’s Society of Washington University, the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement is excited to announce the inaugural Civic Action Week, Sept. 25-30, 2022.  It’s a new initiative to highlight civic engagement opportunities available at WashU and in the St. Louis community. Working across campus with faculty, staff and community partners, […]