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 […]
Category: Lead Change
Telling the stories of Gephardt’s Lead Change pillar
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: Joshua Aiken AB ’14 and Luka Cai ’20
News from Gephardt Institute alumni Joshua Aiken AB ’14, an alumnus of the Civic Scholars program who was accepted as a Rhodes Scholar while a WashU senior in 2014, published an award-winning book of poetry, “to be in & of.” His poetry dives into the perils and contradiction of how Black life is grieved in American society […]
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 […]
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 […]