Civic Scholars in the News

The Gephardt Institute for Civic Engagement kicked off its third annual Civic Action Week, a weeklong initiative that highlights civic engagement opportunities throughout WashU in partnership with campus and community partners, on Feb. 17.  Throughout the week, different student groups, faculty, staff, and community partners hosted events and other opportunities for participants to learn and […]

The Gephardt Institute awarded $11,100, through the St. Louis Impact Fund, to nine St. Louis Fellows and Civic Scholars to support their goals to make deeper impacts in the community-engaged work they began last summer.  These Partnership Extension Grants help students extend their time with the organizations they partnered with during the summer to continue making […]

This month, just days after a storm blanketed Missouri in snow, the Civic Scholars Classes of 2025 and 2026 embarked on their annual immersion trip. From Jan. 7 to 10, and with an itinerary that required flexibility due to the weather, the Civic Scholars met with community organizations, local elected and city management officials, and […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]