Impact Area

The Technology & Leadership Center at McKelvey Engineering School provides community members with professional development including training, continued education, and certification specialization.

Studio: TESLA, which stands for Teaching Engineering in the St. Louis Area, serves as an after-school clinic for underserved youth in the St. Louis area. It is WashU student-run and works to build STEAM literacy through hands-on design challenges.

Since 2007, the Alberti Program has brought young people from across the St. Louis region to the Washington University campus for a hands-on experience tackling 2- and 3-dimensional problems in architectural design, with an eye toward the greater environment. They are introduced to the field of architecture through lectures, discussions, and reviews about design projects. They explore campus and connect with WashU graduate and undergraduate students, who serve as teaching assistants.

This joint UMSL and WashU program provides a flexible engineering program for those in the St. Louis community. Students take pre engineering courses through UMSL and take the upper level engineering courses and labs at WashU in the evenings. The program offers three different types of accredited bachelor of engineering degrees: Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. Students are able to pay the more affordable UMSL fees while benefitting from both schools.

Established in 1881, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum serves both WashU students and St. Louis residents as the one of the oldest teaching museums in the country. Through numerous and diverse programs and exhibitions, the Kemper Art Museum vast collection allows residents to peer into diverse artwork both in-person and virtual at little cost.

The Washington University Prison Education Project (PEP) offers a college education to incarcerated students at the Missouri Eastern Correctional Center (MECC) in Pacific, Missouri, and the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (WERDCC) in Vandalia, Missouri.

CAPS, previously University College, offers adult students the opportunity to earn a degree at WashU. The program is committed to providing an education and career pathway for St. Louis learners who have previously not had access to Washington University in St. Louis.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is a membership community designed for curious learners aged 50+. Learners in the program can take courses, as well as participating in special interest groups, lectures and events. Membership is just $10 per year and includes about two dozen events. Course fees are modest, and scholarships are available.

As a part of WashU’s first-year student orientation, called Bear Beginnings, WashU offers “In The Lou” experiences to provide students with opportunities to explore St. Louis and immerse themselves in the rich culture and experiences that that the region has to offer.

Through this initiative, local and national employers connect with WashU’s intelligent, diverse, grounded, well-rounded talent. WashU’s Employer Relations team coordinates career fairs, networking events, information sessions and road shows, and collaborates with employers to explore new and innovative recruitment and engagement strategies.