Marco Valenzuela named director of Campus Life
Marco Valenzuela has been appointed director of Campus Life at WashU. In this position, Valenzuela will serve as a key advisor within Student Affairs and work closely with campus partners to advance strategic priorities and strengthen cross-divisional collaboration that supports student connection and success. “Marco is a thoughtful, student-centered leader who understands how meaningful campus […]
He came for the football. He stayed for the people.
When Blake Comeaux arrived at WashU, he brought talent, drive, and an openness to possibility, but also quiet doubts about whether he truly belonged. Coming from a Title I public high school in southern Mississippi to an elite academic environment was jarring. But what he found, was a community of people who consistently reinforced that […]
Your postgrad era starts now. Tell us about it!
The Division of Student Affairs is calling on all graduating students to complete the WashU First-Destination Survey, a five-minute, online survey that plays a vital role in shaping career resources for current and future Bears. This survey is for every graduate, whether you’re searching for a job, continuing to graduate/ professional school, have accepted an offer, or are pursuing another path. If you’re still making […]
The coaching behind the confidence
By his senior fall at WashU, Shane Pellegrino had a clear plan—finish strong in the classroom and on the baseball field, then pursue a master’s in finance at Notre Dame to accelerate a future in private equity. But having a plan is different from being able to bring it to life, especially when it requires […]
Student Affairs team members earn national recognitions from NASPA
The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) recently recognized WashU Student Affairs professionals for their standout leadership, scholarship, and contributions to the student experience, highlighting individuals whose work is advancing the future of student support in higher education. Phyllis Jackson, associate dean for the Office of Scholar Programs, and Jordan Cooper, director of Cross-Cultural […]
Built for what’s next
At WashU, career readiness isn’t an afterthought. It’s part of the student experience from the start, and the Center for Career Engagement (CCE) plays a vital role in building partnerships and frameworks that nurture a career culture grounded in self-discovery and exploration. “The Center for Career Engagement was established to ensure that all students have […]
Scholar Champions, built with care
Step into the “family room” of the WashU Women’s Soccer team, and you’ll find that the trophies fade behind names on lockers, big sister lineages, and conversations that stretch well beyond soccer. Coach Jim Conlon calls them a family, but not in a casual, cliché way. Rather, it’s reference to an intentional framework where each […]
Center for Career Engagement to celebrate National Student Employment Week
The Center for Career Engagement (CCE) will join colleges and universities across the country in celebrating National Student Employment Week April 13–17, recognizing the invaluable contributions of student employees and the campus partners who support them. Throughout the week, the CCE will spotlight the essential role student employees play in advancing daily university operations, from […]
Kitti Taye ’25 takes her voice to American Idol with ongoing support from her WashU community
When Kidist “Kitti” Taye ’25 opened TikTok after posting a vocal cover last year, she never imagined it would change her life. She started uploading videos simply to make singing a more intentional hobby, experimenting with styles, watching engagement trends, and having fun. Then one of those clips caught the attention of a casting director […]
Jack Furman
When Jack Furman left sunny Miami for WashU, his car was loaded with the usual college essentials—bedding, clothes, snacks. But tucked among those essentials was something a little unusual—a large, wooden book box and a five-foot post, materials for a Little Free Library he planned to install in St. Louis. “I’ve always wanted to be […]