Gephardt Institute for Public Service
The Gephardt Institute, located in the Danforth University Center (DUC) on the Danforth Campus, supports members of the university community in contributing their time and talents, applying their scholarship and expertise and discovering innovative ways to make a positive impact on communities worldwide.
Initiatives supported by the Institute include sustained community partnerships, co-curricular service, community-based teaching and learning, international service and programs promoting civic life and public service careers. In encouraging students to develop a lifelong ethic of service to society, the Institute also engages alumni and older adults in its activities.
Community Counts
The Institute maintains an interactive map, showing where and in what ways WUSTL community members are volunteering their time throughout the St. Louis region, the nation, and the world. View the Community Counts service inventory map.
Community Service Office
73% of WUSTL students participate in community service during college in many forms, including volunteerism, advocacy, education and philanthropy.
The Community Service Office, housed in the Danforth University Center, serves as the major initiative of the Gephardt Institute supporting co-curricular service among undergraduate, graduate and professional students. The office is a catalyst for students to connect with, build and sustain meaningful service initiatives in partnership with the St. Louis community.
The Community Service Office organizes community service initiatives, inspires students to establish a commitment to service, communicates opportunities for involvement, engages students in the process of creating community partners and facilitates collaboration among individuals and organizations with a common vision.
Science Outreach Programs
Science Outreach connects the resources of Washington University to K-12 teachers, students, and families to improve learning in math and science through hands-on, investigative teaching methods. Priority is placed on working with neighboring school districts in underserved communities. Many of the programs are national models for teacher professional development, and are supported by grants and private donations.
Each Science Outreach program incorporates one or more of these goals:
- Improving teaching and learning through investigation. Science Outreach supports teachers in efforts to use investigation and inquiry — research proven teaching methods that help students develop their own understanding of math and science concepts. Science Outreach provides and refurbishes curriculum kits and laboratory materials for classroom use.
- Partnerships between universities, informal institutions, and schools. Partnerships expand learning opportunities and pool expertise. Science Outreach programs connect K-12 teachers and districts with WUSTL faculty and educators at the St. Louis Science Center, Saint Louis Zoo, and Missouri Botanical Garden.
- Achievement for all students. The scientists of tomorrow are the students of today. Beginning at the earliest grades, every child must be encouraged to learn at his or her highest potential in order to achieve. The future workforce in science, engineering, and health care depends on quality teaching and learning in all schools.
Learn more at the Science Outreach website.
MySci
MySci is a cornerstone program of the Institute for School Partnership. MySci’s mission is to cultivate the region’s next generation of scientists by engaging elementary students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through interactive learning experiences and creative curriculum. MySci also equips teachers with a variety of professional development opportunities.
Learn more at the MySci website.
Office of Government and Community Relations
The Office of Government & Community Relations at Washington University in St. Louis serves as the nexus for university relationships with governmental officials, neighborhood associations, as well as civic leaders and organizations. From working with local, state, and federal representatives, to connecting community members to appropriate university resources, the staff of the Office of Government & Community Relations promotes positive university engagement with its various constituencies. We welcome you to explore the Office of Government & Community Relations site to learn more about how the university is engaged in the community and how to connect with us in a meaningful way.
Women's groups
The Elizabeth Gray Danforth Butterfly Garden was designed, planted and is maintained by the Women's Club.
Women's groups at Washington University serve both the university and the community through the support of scholarships, leadership and educational programs.
The Women's Society works to engage women in the life of the university through education, scholarships, student projects, and leadership and to provide services for students on campus. The Women's Society sponsors Bear Necessities, a non-profit shop on the South 40. All proceeds from Bear Necessities sustain full-tuition scholarships granted each year and a wide array of community service, leadership and fine arts programs on campus.
The Woman's Club has a long tradition of service to the university. The Club founded and maintains the Elizabeth Gray Danforth Butterfly Garden. Last year The Woman's Club joined The Women's Society of Washington University to create a new learning and membership support organization for the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum called Women and the Kemper. Participants in Women and the Kemper enjoy opportunities to learn about and encourage women's participation in the visual arts through engagement with the programs and resources at the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum.
