Focused on fostering meaningful connections with our local communities, the Office of Community Partnerships (OCP) at the Brown School aims to cultivate, support, and sustain partnerships that bring about transformative social change for local communities and the region. The Brown School has identified priority geographic areas in the most critical need, making a measurable impact through social and economic justice.
The St. Louis Policy Initiative brings diverse theoretical and methodological perspectives to study policy in our region. Substantively, its research agendas engage with the most pressing policy challenges in society today. The initiative explores the relationship between racial segregation, political representation, housing policy, public health outcomes, and environmental outcomes in urban cores and their suburbs. For example, how does political representation translate into improved public health outcomes? To what extent do environmental factors drive disparities in home prices in Black and white neighborhoods?
The Redevelopment Center at Washington University School of Medicine has helped provide human and social services, diverse housing options, and residential life and safety to surrounding neighborhoods. This is done through initiatives and outreach programs that caters to those communities.
The Small Business Initiative from Olin Business School works to positively impact the St. Louis economy. Undergraduate students work on consulting and recommending best practices aimed at the success of St. Louis businesses. Past initiatives include LifeBridge Partnership, the Salvation Army, and Sew St. Louis. Businesses are able to apply for them to be included.
The Taylor Community Consulting program from the Olin Business School works to impact the local nonprofit sector. Students, across all disciplines, work in team-based learning projects with the hope of creating positive change in the St. Louis community.
Serving as local nonprofit board members, WashU students provide service for United Way through engagement with community leaders. Students are able to develop valuable skills in board governance, interpersonal communication, and leadership while providing pro bono work to this corporation. Even as the yearlong program concludes, typically over half of the board fellows continue to serve.
The Finance Metrics Clinic connects St. Louis startups with WashU students to provide data-driven financial consulting. Students lead and work on these projects for 6-8 weeks.
The Marketing Metrics Clinic connects St. Louis startups with WashU students to help address marketing challenges and foster continuous growth.
The Olin Family Business Program engages both the off-campus business community and WashU by delving into topics that impact family businesses. The program combines a mix of special events, symposiums, and seminars, for larger audiences and smaller communities.
Olin’s Center for Experiential Learning links the classroom with the world of business. With faculty support and guidance, talented Olin students apply leading-edge practices and practical management solutions to business challenges.