Division of Student Success
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Dear Division of Student Success Colleagues,
It is hard to believe Fall Break is almost here! It has been an incredible start to the semester, and already students have made meaningful connections, in part through the work we all continue to do across the division. Thank you!
As we move into the second half of the fall semester, please remember the following:
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I am hosting sessions of Coffee and Conversations with Dr. G again this semester. Investing in our staff is important to me and I want to make time to discuss with you what professional growth and career ladders look like in our field. Please register in advance.
- On Oct. 21 at 12:30 p.m. on Mudd Field, Chancellor Martin will join me to sign the Okanagan Charter, which encourages colleges and universities to embed health and well-being into all aspects of campus culture. This will happen in tandem with Well-being Wednesday. I hope to see you there!
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Mark your calendars for Parent & Family Weekend on Oct. 30-Nov. 1. Yes, that is Halloween weekend too and we are planning some fun ways that our students and families can experience our campus community together, including Dr. G's Haunted Fun House! You'll be hearing more from our Halloween Committee soon.
- You can become a Dialogue Across Difference facilitator! There are three upcoming training sessions for facilitators. In this role, you will have the opportunity to foster meaningful conversations across diverse perspectives throughout our WashU community. See below for more details.
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Finally, please mark your calendars for our monthly Divisional Meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 7 in Risa Commons. Light refreshments will be available starting at 8 a.m.
Warmly,
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Anna "Dr. G" Gonzalez
Vice Chancellor for Student Success
@akgonzal327
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Sign up for Coffee and Conversations with Dr. G |
Join Dr. G for a Coffee and Conversation! Designed for employees within the Division of Student Success at various career levels, Dr. G will meet with staff members to have an open discussion about critical issues in higher education, explore professional goals and career trajectories, and broaden your network at WashU.
Sessions are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Staff can sign up for one session. Please pay close attention to the definitions of professional levels and sign up accordingly. Register in advance.
📋 New Professionals (0-5 years in higher education): Monday, Oct. 12, 2 p.m.
📋 Mid-Level Professionals (6-14 years in higher education): Tuesday, Oct. 13, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
📋 Senior-Level Professionals (high-level directors, associate vice chancellor or those with 15 or more years of experience in higher education): Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2 p.m.
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Celebrate WashU adopting the Okanagan Charter and becoming a Health Promoting Campus on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 12:30 p.m. on Mudd Field in tandem with Well-being Wednesday with interactive stations, wellness items for sale and food trucks.
The Okanagan Charter is an international framework for health-promoting colleges and universities that encourages higher education institutions to make health, well-being, equity and sustainability part of every aspect of campus life.
Learn more about the Well-being Collective →
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Taylor Family Center seeking faculty and staff mentors |
The Taylor Family Center Faculty & Staff Mentorship Program is seeking mentors for the 2026-2027 academic year. The program is designed to engage Taylor Family Center students through their sophomore year to increase students' cultural capital and boost their overall well-being.
The program will begin in November and run through April. Mentor Match Day is Nov. 23 from 6-7:30 p.m. in Tisch Commons at the Danforth University Center. Mentors should set a goal to meet with their paired mentee for 30 minutes at least once a month. However, that time can be adjusted based on how schedules align.
Your story and expertise are assets to our WashU community. Please consider sharing that impact with our sophomore students by becoming a mentor or sharing this information with a colleague you believe would be a great fit. The deadline to apply is Oct. 23.
Apply to be a mentor →
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Leadership Week slated for Oct. 19-24 |
Leadership Week is an annual celebration at WashU designed to showcase and develop leadership across campus. Through workshops, experiential activities, and community-building events, students, staff and faculty explore, practice and celebrate leadership in all its forms.
See the full schedule of events for Leadership Week →
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Remember: Upload events to SA Tools using Event Manager |
All departments should be uploading their programs and events to SA Tools and using the Event Manager system.
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The Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Award is an annual award recognizing those in the WashU community who exemplify a character of service and engagement with the St. Louis region. Any member of the WashU community, past or current, who resides in and serves the St. Louis community is eligible to receive the award.
Submit a nomination for the award by Oct. 30 →
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National First-Gen Week is Nov. 2-6 |
National First-Generation College Celebration Day is observed on Nov. 8, but at WashU, one day simply isn’t enough! We’re celebrating National First-Gen Week, Nov. 2-6, with a week dedicated to recognizing the accomplishments, experiences and impact of our first-generation students, faculty, staff and alumni.
Throughout the week, the WashU community will come together to celebrate first-gen pride, build community, share stories, and recognize the many ways first-generation members of our community contribute to WashU. Whether you are first-gen yourself, support first-gen students, or simply want to join the celebration, we invite you to be part of the week and help us celebrate what it means to be a first-generation student at WashU!
If you are WashU faculty and/or staff and identify as first-gen, please consider taking this survey for a chance to be highlighted on Taylor Family Center social media channels. Sharing your first-gen story and identity normalizes and celebrates the experience of being the first in their family to apply and attend a postsecondary institution.
See the full list of events for First-Gen Week →
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Become a Dialogue Across Difference facilitator |
Are you or a member of your team interested in helping foster meaningful conversations across diverse perspectives? Consider becoming a Dialogue Across Difference (DxD) facilitator by participating in the upcoming facilitator training program. Participants must attend all three in-person training sessions:
⦿ Monday, Oct. 5 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
⦿ Tuesday, Oct. 6 | 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
⦿ Thursday, Oct. 22 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Who can participate?
Individuals with a master’s degree or higher who complete the training may be eligible to teach DxD courses. Individuals with a bachelor’s degree are also encouraged to participate. While they are not eligible to teach DxD courses, they may serve as facilitators during orientation programs, workshops and other events throughout the academic year. For questions, contact DxD@wustl.edu.
Register today →
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Take 5-10 minutes to complete the Beginning of Year Survey and share your experience at WashU for a chance to win a WashU sweatshirt or t-shirt.
Your feedback helps us understand what’s working, what could be improved, and how we can better support students throughout the year. Complete the survey by Friday, Oct. 2.
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Hispanic Heritage Month continues |
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October is LGBTQIA+ History Month |
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Enroll in Dialogue Across Difference |
Spring registration begins Nov. 10. Encourage students you know to enroll in Dialogue Across Difference, an eight-week course that teaches undergraduate students how to explore difficult topics such as politics, religion, race and gender in a positive and productive way.
Learn more about DxD→
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Evelyn Real featured in WashU's Inspiring Stories |
Director of the Office of International Student Engagement Evelyn Real was recently featured in WashU's Inspiring Stories. "What motivates me most in my work are the everyday moments like when students make new connections over shared meals, laugh while trying something unfamiliar or find belonging through one of our programs."
Read the full story →
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For students who will remain in St. Louis during fall, winter and spring breaks, Campus Life programming provides opportunities to engage with the broader St. Louis community through service.
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| Student Success Monthly Divisional Meeting |
Oct. 7, 2026, 8:30-9:30 a.m. | Risa Commons
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Light breakfast begins at 8 a.m. with a formal welcome at 8:30 a.m.
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| Oct. 7, 2026, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Mudd Field
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Join Student Success every Wednesday for programs and experiences designed to inspire your mind, body and future. We're here to support every dimension of your success on campus and beyond. Take a midweek pause to recharge.
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| Oct. 12, 2026, 2 p.m. | Dr. G's House
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Dr. G will meet with staff members to have an open discussion about critical issues in higher education, explore professional goals and career trajectories, and broaden your network at WashU. Registration is required.
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Oct. 13, 2026, 10 a.m. OR 2 p.m. | Dr. G's House
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Dr. G will meet with staff members to have an open discussion about critical issues in higher education, explore professional goals and career trajectories, and broaden your network at WashU. Registration is required.
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| Oct. 14, 2026, 2 p.m. | Dr. G's House
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Dr. G will meet with staff members to have an open discussion about critical issues in higher education, explore professional goals and career trajectories, and broaden your network at WashU. Registration is required.
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| Oct. 14, 2026, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Mudd Field
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Join Student Success every Wednesday for programs and experiences designed to inspire your mind, body and future. We're here to support every dimension of your success on campus and beyond. Take a midweek pause to recharge.
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| Oct. 21, 2026, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Mudd Field
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Join Student Success every Wednesday for programs and experiences designed to inspire your mind, body and future. We're here to support every dimension of your success on campus and beyond. Take a midweek pause to recharge.
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| Oct. 21, 2026, 12:30 p.m. | Mudd Field
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The Okanagan Charter is an international framework for health-promoting colleges and universities that encourages higher education institutions to make health, well-being, equity and sustainability part of every aspect of campus life.
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| In collaboration with campus partners, the Bauer Leaders Academy is organizing Leadership Week, a celebration of leadership development at WashU.
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| Oct. 21, 2026, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
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Staff Leadership Day is your opportunity to learn, connect, and grow alongside WashU colleagues. As part of Leadership Week 2026, this day of programming is designed to celebrate staff leadership across our campuses.
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| Oct. 28, 2026, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Mudd Field
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Join Student Success every Wednesday for programs and experiences designed to inspire your mind, body and future. We're here to support every dimension of your success on campus and beyond. Take a midweek pause to recharge.
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Parent & Family Weekend is WashU’s annual celebration that welcomes families and supporters to campus for a weekend of signature events, student showcases, traditions and opportunities to experience campus life alongside their students.
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| Oct. 30, 2026 4-5:30 p.m. | North side of the DUC
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Show off your creativity in the Student Success Halloween Costume Contest, where individuals and teams can compete for prizes, bragging rights and the title of best-dressed on campus.
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| Oct. 30, 2026, 4-7 p.m. | Mudd Field
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Hosted by Vice Chancellor Dr. G, Dr. G’s Haunted Fun House offers a festive way for students, families and employees to come together and enjoy some Halloween-themed fun.
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| This week is dedicated to recognizing the accomplishments, experiences and impact of our first-generation students, faculty, staff and alumni.
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Nov. 18: Student Success Monthly Divisional Meeting
Nov. 25-29: Thanksgiving Break (no classes)
Dec. 7: Last day of classes
Dec. 8-16: Reading period and final exams
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Submit an entry for the next Student Success newsletter
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The Student Success newsletter is usually sent the first Tuesday of each month. If your department has content you would like featured, submit via the link below at least a week prior to the edition you would like to be included in.
Examples of items to submit are highlights of new initiatives or programming; staff achievements, publications or awards; department spotlights and upcoming events you would like Student Success staff members to know about.
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Washington University in St. Louis
One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130
washu.edu
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Washington University in St. Louis
One Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130
washu.edu
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