Stay informed about WashU’s collaborations, community engagement, and local impact right here in our hometown. Explore news not just from St. Louis, but also from across the nation, highlighting the region’s influence and contributions.

Class Acts: Mayah Clayton

Class Acts: Mayah Clayton

When Mayah Clayton talks about public health, she doesn’t lead with data — she leads with people. A north St. Louis native, Clayton blends creativity, lived experience and a commitment to equity into her work, focusing on the real-world impact of structural disparities. Her approach is grounded in listening, mentoring and showing up for her community in tangible ways. Clayton earned a bachelor’s degree in health sciences from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2022 and soon will graduate with a master’s degree in public health, with a behavioral and mental health focus, from the Brown School. 

Eyler launches nature and health alliance at WashU

Eyler launches nature and health alliance at WashU

Amy Eyler, a professor at WashU’s Brown School, is leading a new initiative to advance research on the health benefits of spending time in nature and address the social and environmental barriers that limit access to green spaces in underserved communities. Eyler, along with co-principal investigator Derek Hoeferlin, professor and chair of landscape architecture at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, have received a $50,000 IGNITE interdisciplinary grant through WashU’s Here and Next initiative. The grant helped launch the Nature and Health Alliance at WashU, a collaboration that brings together faculty, community organizations in St. Louis, and national partners to explore how exposure to nature can enhance physical and mental well-being.

Funded Transform Grant projects aim to support marginalized communities

Funded Transform Grant projects aim to support marginalized communities

Three community projects proposed by WashU students — aiming to support education for prisoners, bolster St. Louis nonprofits that support LGBTQ+ people, and foster creativity within the Black diaspora — were funded through the Gephardt Institute’s St. Louis Impact Fund this month. The Transform Grant is part of the St. Louis Impact Fund, an initiative which aims to analyze and support mutually beneficial relationships between WashU students and community organizations, ultimately advancing efforts critical to community needs. 

Eight community exemplars honored at the Gerry & Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Awards

Eight community exemplars honored at the Gerry & Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Awards

The 22nd Annual Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Award ceremony recognized the efforts and dedication of eight members of the WashU community on April 1 at Stix House. Founded during  Washington University in St. Louis’ Sesquicentennial  year, the Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Award is an annual award recognizing a select group of WashU community members who exemplify a character of service and engagement with the St. Louis region. 

‘Books and Basketball’ invites STL youth to experience college life

‘Books and Basketball’ invites STL youth to experience college life

The Gephardt Institute kicked off its third annual Civic Action Week on Feb. 17. This weeklong initiative highlights civic engagement opportunities through events organized by student groups, faculty, staff, and community partners. As part of the week, Books and Basketball, a WashU student group that travels to schools around the St. Louis region to play recreational games with students and help with tutoring, hosted an event on Sunday, Feb. 23. The event brought students from WashU-sponsored KIPP Victory Academy and the North City Blues Program — organizations they previously partnered with — to WashU’s campus to engage in academic enrichment activities.

WashU hosts municipal polling place for 2nd time

WashU hosts municipal polling place for 2nd time

In the effort to help WashU students build a habit of voting in every election and to provide a convenient outlet for faculty, staff, and other St. Louis County voters, the Gephardt Institute — for the second time — hosted a polling place on April 8 for Missouri’s Municipal Election.

CAPS Empower program to receive award

CAPS Empower program to receive award

The WashU Empower program will receive a “What’s Right with the Region” Award from Focus St. Louis at its 28th annual celebration event May 15. An initiative of the School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS), the Empower program gives individuals with limited English proficiency the next-level English and professional skills they need to find jobs that match their talents and training. 

Growing Night Off program hosts babysitting event for children with autism

Growing Night Off program hosts babysitting event for children with autism

WashU senior Rachel Hochberg is not ready to say goodbye. Tonight is her final Night Off, a free monthly babysitting event for children with autism. and she is going to miss these kids and their families. “I feel like these are my children,” said Hochberg, Night Off family coordinator. “It’s been a big responsibility, one that I take extremely seriously. It’s also been one of the best experiences of my life.” 

Lenze receives William H. Danforth St. Louis Confluence Award

Lenze receives William H. Danforth St. Louis Confluence Award

Shannon Lenze, PhD, an associate professor of psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, knows the grim statistics showing that gun violence, racism, poverty and a lack of access to transportation and nutritious foods can adversely affect mental and physical health during pregnancy, particularly among Blacks who suffer disproportionately more than people of other races. However, Lenze noted that many obstetricians hesitated to question pregnant patients about trauma related to their life experiences because it could upset them. Through her partnership with Elevating Voices, Addressing Depression, Toxic Stress and Equity (EleVATE) a community of academic physicians and clinics in St. Louis, Lenze had a light bulb moment — one that has helped guide her research on prenatal health of the pregnant person and baby.

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WashU chancellor: Our research brings big benefits to St. Louis. You can help protect it.

WashU chancellor: Our research brings big benefits to St. Louis. You can help protect it.

As chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis, I have the privilege of witnessing firsthand how our institution’s research enterprise transforms lives, not just through scientific breakthroughs, but through tangible economic and social benefits that strengthen our entire region and state. For the first time in our history, WashU surpassed $1 billion in annual research funding in fiscal year 2024. This milestone is a testament to the extraordinary talent and dedication of our researchers, and a powerful economic catalyst for St. Louis and Missouri.

WashU Olin Business School Makes A Big Bet On The Business Of Health

WashU Olin Business School Makes A Big Bet On The Business Of Health

When Washington University Olin Business School Dean Mike Mazzeo led the creation of a new strategic plan for the school, one new North Star emerged as a strategic imperative: developing true distinction in the business of health. It wasn’t merely a takeaway from the strategy sessions. It became a guiding mandate for moving forward.

St. Louis neuroscience bid seeks $160M NSF grant to boost regional innovation economy

St. Louis neuroscience bid seeks $160M NSF grant to boost regional innovation economy

A $160 million grant proposal submitted last week could establish St. Louis as a nationally-prominent location for neuroscience research, and officials involved in the bid believe there’s reason for optimism that the region could win the award. The region’s bid proposal was unveiled Tuesday during a summit hosted by Neuro360, a regional neuroscience coalition, at Washington University. The region’s bid for the grant is being led by regional innovation hub BioSTL and Neuro360, along with WashU.

In a first for St. Louis, patient completes new gene therapy to cure sickle cell disease

In a first for St. Louis, patient completes new gene therapy to cure sickle cell disease

Martin Mwita, a 20-year-old from the Omaha area, is the first commercial sickle cell patient at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and in the region to receive a new gene therapy treatment approved by the FDA at the end of 2023. Mwita is under the care of Dr. Shelani Shenoy, a pediatric hematologist/oncologist with the Washington University School of Medicine.

New grants reward WashU alums starting companies in St. Louis

New grants reward WashU alums starting companies in St. Louis

Plenty of WashU alumni launch companies—though they commonly leave St. Louis to do it. Starting this week, there will be a potential perk to staying here. On Thursday, WashU’s Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship will announce the inaugural winner(s) of “Venture Network Follow-on Investments.” Up to $150,000 will go each year to companies of WashU alumni who’ve already received money from Arch Grants and plan to stay in St. Louis. 

Washington University’s African Film Festival returns for 19th year

Washington University’s African Film Festival returns for 19th year

For nearly two decades, cinematic art that counters negative stereotypes, combats false narratives and offers first-hand insight about the continent of Africa have been showcased at Washington University in St. Louis. On Friday (March 28) the 19th Annual African Film Festival returns to campus. 

An exhibition at the Kemper features artistic views of environmental balance

An exhibition at the Kemper features artistic views of environmental balance

Juan Williams Chávez is founder and director of Northside Workshop, an indoor workspace surrounded by a teaching garden divided into a variety of habitats. Visitors learn about bees and ecosystems and make art projects. He’s also one of 10 artists in an exhibition at the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum that showcases people who use their artwork to call for a better balance between humans and the natural world.

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Forest Park’s Next Chapter

Forest Park’s Next Chapter

As Forest Park Forever raises $85 million in donations to make the Steinberg Skating Rink a year-round attraction – along with the 22 acres around it referred to as “the Glade” – the park’s leadership also has a list of “next-up big ticket items” over five years.

St. Louis Is Still A Nice Little Secret

St. Louis Is Still A Nice Little Secret

St. Louis is a forgotten place in a way. In fact, it has long been on lists of the most underrated cities in America. Back in 2016, Thrillist called St. Louis the “most overlooked city in America.” Perhaps the low-profile is due to the humility of its mid-west residents, who are easily approachable and nice, even when you’re wearing the wrong jersey at Busch Stadium. Or maybe it’s because of the city’s location, far from the coasts. No matter, the secrets of St. Louis, like they always have, await those who pass through.

The 20 best art museums in America

The 20 best art museums in America

The Washington Post recently named the Saint Louis Art Museum (SLAM) as one of the top art museums in the nation. The Post’s art critics ranked SLAM as #12, citing its geography in the “huge, gorgeous” Forest Park and calling its art collection “broad and deep.”

To change St. Louis narrative, employment gains must be sustained, some say

To change St. Louis narrative, employment gains must be sustained, some say

The employment gain by the St. Louis metro area that ranked as the fourth highest percentage increase in the nation is an indicator of progress, but it must be sustained for the rest of this decade to charge the region’s narrative, some officials say. Federal data released Oct. 4 showed that the number of non-farm employees in the St. Louis region grew 2.6% from August 2023 to August 2024. That’s an addition of 36,600 employees, from 1,422,200 a year ago to 1,458,800 in August, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Only the metro areas of Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Indianapolis showed larger percentage increases.

St. Louis posts nation’s fourth-largest gain in employment this year

St. Louis posts nation’s fourth-largest gain in employment this year

The number of employees in the St. Louis region grew 2.57% from August 2023 to August 2024, the fourth-highest percentage increase in the nation, according to federal data released Friday. The St. Louis metro area in the time added 36,600 employees, growing from 1,422,2000 a year ago to 1,458,800 in August, according to federal Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Only three U.S. metro areas posted larger percentage employment increases: Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Indianapolis.

Editorial: St. Louis is becoming an immigration magnet. And, yes, that’s a good thing.

Editorial: St. Louis is becoming an immigration magnet. And, yes, that’s a good thing.

It’s the result of concerted efforts to attract immigrants here by organizations including Greater St. Louis Inc., the International Institute of St. Louis and the St. Louis Mosaic Project. By raising private donations for targeted recruitment, the campaign has attracted Latin American and Cuban immigrants and provided job training and placement with the help of the Missouri AFL-CIO. More than 1,300 Afghan refugees have come for programs including entrepreneurial grants. Mayor Tishaura O. Jones has created a city Office of New Americans to help facilitate immigrant settlement.

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