Civic Scholars Gephardt News

Civic Scholars Program Expands Thanks to Clark-Fox Gift and Welcomes Sixteen New Scholars

Building on a legacy of generous support to Washington University, business and civic leaders Maxine Clark and Bob Fox are providing $540,000 to advance the efforts of the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement and its Civic Scholars Program as part of Leading Together: The Campaign for Washington University.

Maxine Clark and Bob Fox help those our society has neglected or left behind. “Our personal goals are to give back to the community that has been so good to us,” they say.
Maxine Clark and Bob Fox help those our society has neglected or left behind. “Our personal goals are to give back to the community that has been so good to us,” they say.

These contributions will fund an additional cohort of Civic Scholars, doubling the number of undergraduate students benefitting from the two-year program. Over the course of the couple’s nine-year commitment, 72 students will have the opportunity to pursue their passion for public service as Fox-Clark Civic Scholars.

A founding member of the Gephardt Institute National Council, Mr. Fox has served as a mentor to numerous Civic Scholars for several years. “The Gephardt Institute has brought focus to the desire of the university’s students, faculty, and staff to better serve our communities,” he says. “They do this through civic and community engagement that is curriculum- and evidence-based, data-driven, and robust. We are proud to support that effort and take an active role.”

Ms. Clark has been a tireless advocate for Washington University, serving on the Board of Trustees and on the national councils for the Brown School and the Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship.  “We hope others will consider how they can impact our community and world through a deeper association with Washington University,” she says.

About the Civic Scholars Program

The Civic Scholars Program, comprising four semesters of academic course work, combines self-exploration, reflection, mentorship, experiential education, and $5,000 in summer project funding to lead students to a deeper understanding of themselves and their role as future civic leaders.

The program was established to provide exceptional undergraduate students who have demonstrated a commitment to community engagement with skills and substance to foster lifelong civic leadership. Scholars consistently report that the program is transformational; as 2015 participant Tori Bawel said, “The Civic Scholars Program has empowered me to pursue my passion and provided me a springboard to dive into a social issue.”

Class of 2018 Civic Scholars

  • Andres S. Avalle-Embree of Manchester, VT, is double majoring in systems science and engineering in the School of Engineering & Applied Science and economics and strategy in the College of Arts & Sciences. He is interested in working with the St. Louis Land Reutilization Authority to inform future legislative advocacy surrounding the use of vacant land in St. Louis.
  • Molly Brodsky of Fair Lawn, NJ, is double majoring in anthropology: global health and the environment and women, gender, and sexuality studies in the College of Arts & Sciences. She intends to facilitate activities and discussions with religious community members passionate about gender-inclusive spaces to build foundations for true openness and connection.
  • Caitlin Cheeseboro of Woodbury, MN, is majoring in political science in the College of Arts & Sciences. She hopes to work with individuals re-entering the community from prison, helping meet basic needs, find employment, and maintain freedom.
  • Michael Collins of Zionsville, IN, is double majoring in chemistry and Chinese language and culture in the College of Arts & Sciences. He hopes to partner with local elementary and middle schools to develop a curriculum that focuses on positive education of gender roles and gender relations.
  • Emily Cosgrove of Kansas City, MO, is majoring in women, gender, and sexuality studies and minoring in Arabic in the College of Arts & Sciences. She is interested in working with LGBTQ* youth on topics surrounding sexual education.
  • Claudio Evaristo of Athens, GA, is double majoring in anthropology and biology in the College of Arts & Sciences. She plans to work with the organization Casa de Salud to better understand how issues of domestic violence and sexual assault are impacting the Latin@ community in St. Louis.
  • Kielah Harbert of St. Louis, MO, is double majoring in African and African American studies and philosophy and minoring in education in the College of Arts & Sciences. She hopes to work with local youth, empowering them to actively participate in the transformation of their own neighborhoods.
  • Ishak Hossain of Tulsa, OK, is double majoring in biology and anthropology: global health and the environment in the College of Arts & Sciences. He hopes to learn more about connecting individuals to medical care through prescription drug recycling programs.
  • Assiatou Jallow of Detroit, MI, is double majoring in entrepreneurship and marketing in the Olin Business School. She wants to explore urban economic development and to provide business knowledge to small businesses.
  • Wesley Jenkins of Nashville, TN, is double majoring in political science and American culture studies in the College of Arts & Sciences. He hopes to document the police’s use of Crisis Intervention Training to encourage widespread adoption of the training.
  • Anna Noronha of Lake Forest, IL, is majoring in biomedical engineering in the School of Engineering & Applied Science and minoring in Spanish. She hopes to examine the barriers limiting access to medical services for immigrant communities in the United States.
  • Karthik Rohatgi of Reno, NV, is majoring in mathematics and a member of the Honors Program of Statistics in the College of Arts & Sciences. He plans to focus on issues relevant to food deserts, particularly nutrition education and access to farmers’ markets.
  • Nathan Stanfield of Milton, MA, is majoring in architecture in the College of Arts & Sciences. He intends to explore turning vacant lots into self-sustaining community gardens.
  • Madeline Stewart of Boston, MA, is majoring in chemistry and minoring in anthropology in the College of Arts & Sciences. She is interested in exploring end of life medical care.
  • Sarah Vaughen of Urbana, IL, is majoring in cognitive neuroscience in the College of Arts & Sciences. She is hoping to partner with Spring Initiative in Clarksdale, Mississippi, an established afterschool program that provides summer activities to address unhealthy eating habits among the students.
  • Cole Warner of St. Louis, MO, is majoring in American culture studies and minoring in biology and philosophy in the College of Arts & Sciences. He plans on working with the Zen Hospice Project to gain clinical and volunteer experience.