The Class of 2025 Civic Scholars congregated at Holmes Lounge on Monday, Oct. 21 to present on their Civic Summers at the annual Civic Scholars Share Out, before their advisors, mentors, community partners, family, and friends. Dewitt Campbell, Manager of Civic Learning Initiatives at the Gephardt Institute, kicked off the ceremony by welcoming attendees. “I’m […]
Category: Lead Change
Telling the stories of Gephardt’s Lead Change pillar
‘We Live Here’ hosts share Ferguson storytelling experience at Civic Café
As part of the Gephardt Institute’s Civic Café weekly dinner and dialogue series, St. Louis Public Radio reporter Chad Davis and producer Danny Wicentowski spoke to a crowd of students on Oct. 1 about their experience in making the podcast “We Live Here: 10 Years After the Ferguson Uprising.” The podcast, hosted by Davis and […]
WashU Votes co-chairs earn award, $5K grant for engagement efforts
In September, WashU Votes leaders Amelia Letson ‘25 and Hannah Pignataro ‘26 received a $5,000 grant in honor of their campus leadership. The grant came from the Student Union Leadership Award, which WashU Student Union gives annually in recognition and support of outstanding student leaders. Throughout their leadership, they have demonstrated creative problem solving and […]
WashU course awards more than $68K to St. Louis nonprofits
Students in WashU’s Philanthropy Lab course awarded $143,000 to 14 nonprofit organizations across the St. Louis region this year, including $10,000 to Great Rivers Environmental Law Center that ultimately grew to $35,000 for the organization. Offered in partnership with the Gephardt Institute, Philanthropy Lab is a sociology course designed to give students a theoretical and […]
Visiting Civic Fellow Isikoff draws student crowds, sparks civic engagement
It was my experience at Washington University that really gave me my appreciation for the democratic process.” Michael Isikoff AB ’74 This month, the Gephardt Institute hosted investigative journalist Michael Isikoff AB ’74, a WashU alumnus and Visiting Civic Fellow. An award-winning journalist and bestselling author who worked as an investigative reporter for The Washington […]
The Longest Table sees more than 200 students for dialogue and dinner
On Thursday, Sept. 5 at 5:30 p.m., 210 students gathered on Brookings Quad, ready to enjoy thought-provoking conversation with those around them and delicious food from The Vine Mediterranean Café at Washington University’s second annual Longest Table. “Dialogue events like this one feel particularly important during an election year, because of how it serves as […]
‘My job is to give back’: Campbell joins Gephardt staff
Dewitt Campbell was raised in the Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood, mere blocks away from the Washington University campus. He fondly recalls frolicking across the campus as a kid—using his bike to jump stairs—and notes that WashU has always been part of his life. Now, Campbell serves as the Manager of Civic Learning Initiatives at the Gephardt […]
Gephardt fall calendar packed with opportunities to engage and learn
The Gephardt Institute has a robust calendar of events and programming this fall to get students engaged. These events help students learn how they can develop their civic skills, engage with the St. Louis community, and find ways to bring their civic passions and ideas to life. The institute’s programming brings people together and provides […]
Seminars bring fellows to Eagleton Courthouse, Democracy Panel
Experiencing the nuances of local leadership and judicial impacts are an important part of student civic learning. In the Gephardt Institute’s St. Louis Fellows Program, the Fellows engage in summer weekly seminars centered on civic engagement. While most of their sessions are at Stix House, two of the seminars took place off campus at the […]
Institute brings community engagement best practices to CLDE conference
In early June, a trio of Gephardt Institute staff traveled to Detroit, Michigan to attend the national Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Conference and present on the institute’s best practices. The annual conference is hosted by NASPA: Student Affairs Adminisrators in Higher Education and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. It convenes a diverse range […]
New Civic Action Lab course aims to boost voter engagement
This fall, the Gephardt Institute will offer a new democracy course to students. The course—Civic Action Lab: Strategies for Engagement in U.S. Elections—is the latest addition to the institute’s Applied Civic Courses and is listed in American Culture Studies. “Particularly in this major election year, it is vital for students to understand their many outlets […]
Civic Scholar devotes summer to KIND-ness for immigrant children
After moving away as a child, Nicole Lukens ‘25 never expected to return to Houston. But now Lukens, one of 17 students in the Civic Scholars Class of 2025, has found herself back in her childhood hometown for her Civic Summer. The Civic Summer is a key part of the Civic Scholars Program during […]
STL ArtWorks bringing creative joy to kids with support of St. Louis Fellow
If you’ve ever passed a jolt of brightly colored art in St. Louis, there’s a chance that young apprentices created the piece in a two-story building on the Delmar Loop, just north of WashU’s campus and Forest Park. And if you walk into that building this summer, one of the first people you’re likely to […]
Philanthropy Lab students successfully champion $50K for local nonprofit
This spring, WashU Philanthropy Lab students granted a total of $68,000 to nine St. Louis community nonprofit organizations, including $10,000 to A Red Circle. The strength of the organization—along with the advocacy work led by one student in the class, St. Louis Fellow Mason Shaver—resulted earlier this month in the nonprofit being granted an additional […]
Three classes of Civic Scholars gather to celebrate, advise, build community
The Gephardt Institute celebrated three classes of Civic Scholars last month during the annual “All Civic Celebration” event. Held on Sunday, April 21 in Umrath Lounge, the annual program brings together graduating seniors, juniors who are about to begin their Civic Summers, and sophomores who are new to the Civic Scholars Program to celebrate their […]
Student artists selected for inaugural Atkin Residency in the Art of Democracy
Two rising seniors earned the distinction of being named the first recipients of the new Atkin Residency in the Art of Democracy. Madison Brown ’25 and Atalya Magdalena ’25 were selected through a competitive application process to be the inaugural Atkin Residents. The yearlong Atkin Residency in the Art of Democracy provides a platform […]
Yelamali brings healing through the arts program to Children’s Hospital
During the COVID pandemic, Aditya Yelamali ’24 was worried that patients at St. Louis Children’s Hospital lacked interaction and stimuli that could help them heal. Yelamali, a 2023 Fandos Fellow in the St. Louis Fellows program, created Hearts for Arts as a patient-driven solution that would transcend the pandemic. “We coordinated with Melody Deweese, a […]
Spring trainings equip St. Louis Fellows with community-engaged best practices
The 2024 St. Louis Fellows have completed their spring training, immersive and experiential symposia that help equip them with the community engagement tools and knowledge to contribute to change efforts in the region this summer. With the program expanding to a record 40 Fellows this year, Community Engagement Manager Sarah Nash was grateful that the […]
Institute announces new classes of Civic Scholars, St. Louis Fellows
A record number of WashU students committed to leading change now and throughout their lives by joining the Gephardt Institute’s Civic Scholars and St. Louis Fellows programs. The announcement of the new cohorts of civic leadership programs follows a recruitment cycle that began last fall and saw more applications than ever before. “We’re particularly excited […]
Five honored with Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Awards
In an inspiring show of support and love, family, friends, collaborators, and fans turned out in droves to celebrate the commitment to service of five WashU community members. Andrew de las Alas ’25, Sneha Chaturvedi ‘19 (MD/PhD candidate), Bella Gomez ’26, Adjunct Instructor Dr. Dwayne T. James, and Dr. Professor Susan Stiritz PhD, MSW, MBA, […]
Philanthropy Lab students learn the ropes of supporting and vetting organizations
Donating to causes can be simple, but responsible philanthropy — especially when the goal is community improvement — requires building partnerships, vetting organizations, and an analytical eye. It’s a lesson that Professor Barbara Levin works to instill in students through Philanthropy Lab, a Department of Sociology course that she teaches each spring. The class, which partners with […]
Voting activist Brown urges citizen engagement in WashU Votes event
Black Voters Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown spoke at WashU this month at an event co-hosted by WashU Votes, the Association of Black Students and the Social Programming Board. “Empowering Black and Brown Voters: Fireside Chat with Black Voters Matter Co-Founder LaTosha Brown” was held in Holmes Lounge on Wednesday evening, March 8. Her talk was […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Tori Harwell ‘24 named a Rhodes Scholar
For Victoria “Tori” Harwell ’24, a 2022 St. Louis Fellow, their stellar success invokes not only celebration, but also reflection on the monumental hurdles their ancestors faced to create opportunities for their descendants. On Saturday, Nov. 11, at an announcement event in Washington, D.C., Harwell learned that they were one of just 32 students in […]
Pearson reflects on Gephardt Institute’s impact
By Le’Aysha Pearson AB ’19A 2018 Civic Scholar, Le’Aysha contributed the following reflection about her experience with the Gephardt Institute, and how her civic journey that started here continues to shape her path. My journey began with the Gephardt Institute’s Civic Scholars Program and a passion for civic engagement, and has led me to the fulfilling civic […]
Notables: Luka Cai ’20
News from Gephardt Institute alumni Luka Cai ’20 was recognized for their work in co-founding SQSH, the St. Louis Queer+ Support Helpline, by STLMade, a magazine that highlights the community and culture that make St. Louis a great place to live and work. Luka was a Fox-Clark Civic Scholar with the Gephardt Institute while at WashU, and […]
Alumni Spotlight: Colleen Brady ’11
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 […]
Fellows build community while becoming champions for St. Louis
The 2023 St. Louis Fellows shared their experiences and learning from their summer internships with local nonprofit and government organizations. It was part of Civic Action Week held this month. Community partners, family, friends, supporters, and the WashU community were invited to the first St. Louis Fellows Showcase, held on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at Stix […]
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. […]
Photos: Students connect with civic-focused groups at Civic Engagement Fair
On Friday, Sept. 13, the Gephardt Institute hosted it’s annual Civic Engagement Fair, in which nearly 50 WashU students groups and community organizations that promote community service and civic engagement sought members and helped students find a civic interest. A beautiful afternoon for the fair, students also enjoyed ice cream and the music of On […]
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 […]
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 […]
“The Longest Table” hosts 150 students for dinner and civic dialogue
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, […]
Tishaura O. Jones shares journey to STL mayor’s office in special Civic Café
As a special part of the Gephardt Institute’s Civic Café event series, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones spoke to a crowd of more than 100 WashU students on Tuesday about the journey that inspired and led to her political career. “I wake up every day excited to go to City Hall, because I get […]
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 […]