Division of Student Success

November 2026 newsletter

Dear Division of Student Success Colleagues,
As we move through the fall semester, I continue to be inspired by the sense of community that makes WashU such a special place. Parent & Family Weekend was a big success! Your hard work brought families, students and supporters together to create lasting memories on campus. Thank you!

It was also great to see you get into the Halloween spirit at Dr. G's Haunted Fun House! Congrats to Cross Cultural Connection's group entry, Spice Girls, and to student Barbara Garza for her individual entry, Edward Scissorhands on winning the contest.

As we head into the remainder of the fall semester, please remember the following:

Please mark your calendars for our monthly Divisional Meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 18 in Risa Commons. Light refreshments will be available starting at 8 a.m.

Warmly,

Anna "Dr. G" Gonzalez
Vice Chancellor for Student Success
@akgonzal327

The university recently became a signatory of the Okanagan Charter, an international framework that calls on colleges and universities to embed health and well-being into every aspect of campus life. While wellness efforts have traditionally focused on individual services, the charter encourages institutions to create conditions that support well-being across the entire campus environment.

Read more about WashU's culture of well-being → 

This week, Nov. 2-6, we’re celebrating National First-Gen Week, which is 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.

See the full list of events for First-Gen Week → 

Know a student who would make a great RA? Nominate them today!

RAs are student leaders who help build community, support the safety and well-being of residents, and create opportunities for students to learn and connect within the residential community.

Students must be rising juniors or seniors to be eligible for the RA position. Residential Life will contact nominated students with information about the RA position and application process.

Note that nominations are used for recruitment and outreach purposes only and are not considered during the resident advisor selection process.

As final exams approach, Disability Resources is seeking volunteer support to help meet accommodated testing needs Dec. 10-16. The increased demand during Finals Week often requires additional proctors, extended hours and expanded testing locations. Support from colleagues across the university plays a vital role in ensuring students receive the accommodations they need to succeed during one of the busiest times of the semester. For questions, contact Disability Resources. 

Volunteer to be an exam proctor → 

Join the Office for International Student Engagement in celebrating International Education Week, which showcases the vibrant global community on campus with a variety of events that foster cultural exchange, learning, and celebrate the diverse perspectives that enrich the university and the greater community.

The Center for Career Engagement (CCE) recently completed the pilot year of its Career Innovation Faculty Fellows Program, an initiative designed to help faculty integrate career development directly into their courses. With a second cohort already underway, the program is helping students connect what they learn in the classroom with the skills, experiences and confidence they need to navigate life after graduation.

Read the full story → 

Celebrate the launch of the Career Partners Network

The Center for Career Engagement is hosting the Career Partners Network Kickoff Thursday, Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. until noon. Current and prospective members are invited to stop by Umrath Lounge to learn more about the network, connect with like-minded colleagues, and engage with other CCE resources. Beverages and light bites will be available. Plus, enter to win a raffle prize! All are welcome, but RSVPs are appreciated.  

RSVP for the kickoff event → 

Each semester, Dining Services provides an All You Care To Eat evening breakfast to fuel our students' brains and bellies through their end-of-year studies. Volunteer for Moonlight Breakfast, Wednesday, Dec. 9 from 9-11 p.m. and help bring joy through food to our students!

The Winter Warm Up is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 17 from 3-5 p.m. in Risa Commons. This year-end staff celebration features food, fun activities, a baking competition, giveaways, and an opportunity to give back. Be on the look-out for more information as the date nears.

Students, faculty, staff, family and friends are invited to participate with the Office of Military & Veteran Services and Olin Veterans Association, which are partnering to support Wreaths Across America, honoring our nation's veterans through remembrance and service.

There are two meaningful ways to participate:

1️⃣ Sponsor a Wreath by Dec. 1
$17 sponsors one wreath.$5 from each wreath purchased through OVA's fundraising link supports student veteran initiatives at WashU's Olin Business School.
 
2️⃣ Volunteer: Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
Volunteer to help place wreaths and honor our fallen veterans.

With the holiday season around the corner, now is a good time to review the university’s holiday schedule for FY27. As a reminder, the university observes holidays on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, 2026, and the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, 2026.

Each year, United Way of Greater St. Louis helps more than 1 million people — 1 in 3 of our neighbors — across 16 counties in Missouri and Illinois. And the need remains significant: 43% of households in our region struggle to meet essential needs such as housing, utilities, food, transportation, and medical care.

Through a network of more than 160 nonprofit agencies, United Way helps ensure that support is there when our neighbors need it — from food and housing assistance to education and mentoring, mental health and crisis services, workforce development and financial stability. Your gift makes that work possible. 

Make your donation today → 

What’s it really like to be a WashU student? Share your honest feedback on academics, campus life, housing, dining, student organizations, traditions and more to help prospective students learn what makes WashU unique.

The survey takes just a few minutes to complete, and student participants will be entered for a chance to win one of 100 $50 Amazon gift cards.

Your responses are anonymous and may be featured in The Princeton Review’s college guides, website and other resources.

Take the survey → 

The Green Dot Bystander Intervention Program is an evidence-based program designed to prevent power-based personal violence, including sexual assault, dating and domestic violence and stalking. The training teaches skills to recognize incidents of potential harm and strategies to intervene in order to create a safer campus. 

Student-affiliated groups and organizations may request a Green Dot training that will delve into issues of power-based violence on campus, dynamics of bystander intervention, and proactive ways to step in and support fellow students and acquaintances when situations may become harmful.

Request training for your group or organization → 

Apply by Dec. 4 for the 2027 St. Louis Fellows Program! Spend a summer contributing to St. Louis in a full-time, 10-week internship with a local non-profit or civic organization as part of a 6-month fellowship program, which includes a paid stipend and up to 4 academic credits. This experiential fellowship includes attending a variety of community events and contextualizing St. Louis’ history, culture, challenges, and opportunities. Apply by 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4. 

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich histories, cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples. Throughout the month, students are invited to learn, reflect and engage with programs and resources that honor Native American and Indigenous communities and their enduring impact on our campus, nation and world. The Buder Center is also hosting a Trivia Night Saturday, Nov. 7, with doors opening at 5 p.m. 

See the full schedule of events  with CCxN→ 

TimelyCare
TimelyCare is a 24/7, virtual care service for full-time students to address common concerns that can be safely diagnosed and treated remotely. 

Let's Talk
Let’s Talk is an outreach program that provides students with easy access to free, brief confidential consultations with the Center for Counseling & Psychological Services' counselors.

Rapid Access Counseling Zoom Appointments

All counseling appointments with the Center for Counseling & Psychological Services will transition to Rapid Access Counseling Zoom Appointments Nov. 23-Dec. 16. Students will be able to schedule both return and new appointments with a counselor beginning 16 hours prior to the time they would like to be seen.

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→

Students who live in Residential Life housing must register for Thanksgiving and/or Winter Break housing if they intend to stay on campus. There is no additional charge for housing over Thanksgiving Break or Winter Break if students register before the respective deadlines.

Information about dining hours and available services over break periods is available on the Dining Services website. 

The Housing Renewal Process is designed to guide rising sophomores as they reapply to live in Residential Life-managed housing for the upcoming academic year. Renewals for rising sophomores open Dec. 1. Applications for rising juniors and seniors opens Monday, Feb. 8, 2027. 

The December Recognition Ceremony is Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026 at 10 a.m. CST in the Athletic Complex. Invitations were emailed to all Summer graduates and Fall degree candidates in October. 

Dec. 24: Christmas Eve (university closed)

Dec. 25: Christmas Day (university closed)

Dec. 31: New Year's Eve (university closed)

Jan. 1: New Year's Day (university closed)

Jan. 13: Student Success Monthly Divisional Meeting

Jan. 19: Spring 2027 classes begin

Submit an entry for the next Student Success newsletter

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.

Submit here →

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