There are many ways you can volunteer with the WashU Engage Network and share your passion, knowledge, experience, and current community involvement with other alumni, parents, and friends of WashU:

  • Organize and lead a community service project in your city (site leader)
  • Share expertise and advice as a guest speaker at an event
  • Provide career support to students and young alumni through mentorship, internships, mock interview assistance, and resume feedback

If you are interested in any of these ​volunteer opportunities or would like to learn about other ways to get involved, please submit a volunteer interest form.

for more information

Jenna KalkwarfSenior Associate Director, Alumni Networks

Thinking about planning a community service project?

How do I find a community service project?

Explore the issues facing your community and consider issues that interest the alumni in your regional network

  • If you are already a volunteer at an agency, ask what needs the alumni volunteers could address.
  • Talk to friends and neighbors about community needs and local volunteer organizations.
  • Consult with local umbrella organizations such as the United Way.
  • Reach out to fellow alumni who work in the non-profit sector—the Alumni Association can provide you with some alumni to contact.
  • Reach out to fellow alumni who sit on agency boards—the Alumni Association can provide you with some alumni to contact.
What is the role of a site leader?
  • One or more alumni can share the duties and responsibilities of site leader for a community service project at the local level.
  • Identify a need in the local community and collaborate closely with a non-profit to organize a service project.
  • Coordinate with agency staff to set a date for the project during a time that is convenient for you and doesn’t conflict with other events in the city.
  • Work with agency staff to plan a brief educational orientation to the service project, the agency,
  • and the need in the community for the service.
  • Work with agency staff to compile information about the agency and the service project for marketing materials.
  • Serve as a communications liaison between agency staff, local alumni volunteers, and the Alumni Association.
  • Attend any orientations required by the agency prior to the service project. Communicate information from this orientation to the Alumni Association and other alumni volunteers.
  • Assist in recruiting volunteers by reaching out to personal networks and classmates.
  • Arrange appropriate meals, snacks, or drinks for volunteers before or after the service project.
  • If required, ensure waivers are collected for all participants.
What do I need to do to publicize the event?

The Alumni Association and the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement will use a variety of media to publicize all projects:

  • Email blasts bi-weekly to all alumni in your city
  • Social media updates on WashU Network and Gephardt channels
  • Washington University Alumni Association Website

We encourage you to reach out to classmates and friends to encourage them to participate in your project.