Wherever you are on your civic journey, we’re here for you.

We have a wide range of civic learning and engagement opportunities that bring people together to effect change at any scale, large or small. Explore these opportunities and think of them as your tools to develop your civic skills, engage with the St. Louis community, collaborate on addressing pressing social issues, and find ways to bring your civic passions and ideas to life.

Upcoming Events


Stay in the loop on upcoming Gephardt events and opportunities!

Gephardt Institute Programs

Applied Civic Courses

Build your civic skills through experiential courses on philanthropy, running for public office and influencing public policy.

Atkin Residency in the Art of Democracy

Apply for a year-long artistic residency exploring the intersections of art and democracy.

ChangeMakers Series

Connect with WashU alumni who weave civic and community engagement into their careers.

Civic Action Week

Tap into a range of civic learning and engagement opportunities through this weeklong annual initiative that can get you started or help you progress on your civic journey.

Civic Café

Share a meal, dialogue, and learning with community and campus experts on key civic issues and skills — join us weekly.

Civic Scholars

Engage in an in-depth two-year curriculum and Civic Summer to hone your passion and develop your skills for civic leadership. Apply as a sophomore for your junior and seniors years.

Engage STL

Get off campus and get to know the communities of our region, through neighborhoods tours, visits to landmarks and businesses, and delicious local food.

Engage Democracy 2024

Get excited to make your impact on our democracy and join one of our election events this year, or share your passion for voter engagement and propose your own event.

Food for Thought

Drop by this pop-up event for a snack and casual, yet insightful, conversations on big civic questions.

Gerry & Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Awards

Nominate someone you admire who exemplifies a character of service and engagement with the St. Louis region, and be inspired by the stories of past honorees.

Gephardt Student
Internship Program

Support the institute’s initiatives through paid internships and graduate assistantships while sharpening your professional skills and building your civic leadership and career experience.

In the Lou

Find out what makes St. Louis such a dynamic and special place, by engaging with neighborhoods, communities, and neighbors who call St. Louis home.

St. Louis Fellows

Engage with St. Louis through a six-month experiential curriculum and summer internship to build your civic leadership skills and advance our region.

St. Louis Impact Fund

Apply for the funding you need to further your community partnership projects and engage with St. Louis.

WashU Votes Student Committees

Bring your passion for democracy to WashU Votes and Grad/Professional Students Vote, our boots-on-the-ground campus voter engagement teams.

Related Resources
  • stlouis.wustl.edu – The official website for WashU’s “In St. Louis, For St. Louis” Initiative
  • Campus Y – Get connected to boots-on-the-ground volunteer opportunities
  • Opportunities Newsletter – Find more ways to engage in your community, sent each Friday
  • WUGO – The WashU Student Group Organizer