The Gephardt Institute launched Engage Democracy, a university-wide initiative that aims to educate the campus community about the processes and civic skills needed to participate in a thriving democracy.
Engage Democracy includes four core components: voter engagement, Common Ground Grant funds, a Public Service Fellows program in partnership with the Brown School, and a series of Engage Democracy workshops. Explore opportunities for involvement below, and connect with us to further engage the campus community and increase political participation throughout the year.
Voter Engagement
Voting is a vital form of civic engagement that helps make our communities stronger. Learn about WashU Votes, our student-led volunteer initiative, voter registration, election dates, ballot issues, and other ways to engage with public issues.
Common Ground Grants
Common Ground Grants are designed to catalyze the campus community in developing strategies to repair, address, and prevent polarization at the university and in the St. Louis community. Opportunities range from $500-$1,500.
Public Service Fellows
A competitive fellowship program that places graduate students from the Brown School in 10-month positions at St. Louis City Hall or city departments where they will directly contribute to the civic efforts in the region while honing their professional skills and grasp of local government.
Workshop Series
We are developing a workshop curriculum to equip students and campus partners with knowledge and skills to effectively engage in the process of democracy, including “civics 101,” media literacy, and citizen tools for communicating with elected officials.
Monthly News Roundup with Tom Irwin
Join us for a monthly series to discuss the month’s news, particularly as it relates to domestic and foreign politics and policy. Participants will have the opportunity to engage others from across the political spectrum in dialogue about current events and the state of our democracy.
Tom Irwin will host the series. Tom is Vice President for Regional Development and Political Affairs at Centene and a 30+ year veteran of politics, policy, and public administration.
The series kicks-off on Monday, September 9. Join us every first Monday of the month from 12-1 pm in Stix House. Light snacks and drinks will be available, and we encourage you to bring your own lunch. No RSVP required.