“Envisioning and achieving distinctive and inclusive excellence at scale in graduate education is critical to fulfilling the university’s mission as well as to further elevating our reputation through regional, national and global impact.”

Vijay Ramani, vice provost for graduate education and international affairs

As a community, we are united in our commitment to justice and racial equity. We will listen and engage to work toward mission-oriented action that makes our university and our city a beacon of justice to the world. Because we want our values to be woven into the fabric of our university, we are establishing an infrastructure to support and cultivate a stronger climate of diversity and inclusion at WashU.

Learn more about our fellowships, student groups and resources available.

Graduate Fellowships

Washington University offers two highly competitive and prestigious fellowships for graduate students.

  • The Chancellors Graduate Fellowship Program was established in 1991, to provide academic, professional, and personal support for academically excellent graduate students interested in enhancing diversity at Washington University and in the professoriate. Today, the Chancellor’s Graduate Fellowship is one of the nation’s elite fellowships for graduate study.  

Bouchet Graduate Honor Society

Yale University and Howard University established the Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society in 2005. Named for the first African American doctoral recipient in the United States (PhD in physics from Yale University in 1876), the Bouchet Graduate Honor Society recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement and promotes diversity and excellence in doctoral education and the professoriate.

The Bouchet Graduate Society at Washington University in St. Louis seeks to develop a network of preeminent scholars who exemplify academic and personal excellence, foster environments of support, and serve as examples of class, leadership, advocacy, scholarship, and service for students who have been traditionally underrepresented in the academy. In the spirit of  Edward A. Bouchet‘s commitment to these pursuits both in and out of the academic realm, inductees into the honor society bearing his name also exhibit these qualities.

Join us and get involved with the vibrant community at WashU

There are many university-wide graduate student organizations that serve our diverse graduate student body. Organizations host a variety of cultural, academic, and social events throughout the year.  Engage in campus conversations, cultural celebrations, advocacy opportunities and more through events happening on and near campus. Please explore the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Website for a list of groups and events.

Resources

NCFDD: The National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity offers resources for online research productivity, academic mentoring, and career development. Through the WashU Institutional Membership, all WashU faculty, graduate students, postdocs, and trainees can enroll in a free individual membership.

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) serves as an integral part of the university’s core mission to develop students as future leaders in the diverse global community of the 21st Century. Key areas of focus include education, advocacy, research & scholarship, engagement, and social justice. The CDI Advisory Council (formerly Graduate Student and Professional Advisory Council, GPAC) was founded out of the need to bring awareness to graduate and professional student needs, especially around issues of equity and inclusion. In response, the CDI included graduate students in their mission and became a partner for GPAC’s work, advocating for more representation in decision-making rooms on both campuses.

Diversity and Inclusion Events: There are many opportunities for meaningful engagement and dialogue at WashU. Explore the calendar of events related to diversity and inclusion.