Programming

Our programming highlights topics to help students appreciate diverse perspectives and experiences.

Annual events include workshops to build skills in communicating on sensitive topic and discussions on the diverse identities we all hold. Additionally, we offer a lecture each year on mental health and accessing resources on campus.

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2020-2021 Programming*

*Recording or Materials Available For Asynchronous Learning

August Module*: Prison Education Project - Barbara Baumgartner, PhD

September Modules*: Communication - Jessica Kuchta-Miller, MA, JD and Diverse Communities - Erin Stampp, MPP

October Module*: Colonialism and Lasting Effects -Timothy Parsons, PhD

November Module*: Medical Ethics - Kimbell Kornu, MD, PhD

December Module*: Food Insecurity/Food Apartheid - Gabriella McLoughlin, PhD

January Module*: Olivette I-170 Development - Ellen Bern and Caroline Fan

February Module*: Mental Health - Quinn Tyminski, OTD, OTR/L, BCMH

March Module*: West Lake Landfill (Superfund site in St. Louis) - Just Moms STL

May Module*: Art and Social Change - Brock Seals

Previous Years

Below you will find a list of modules and events from previous years
*Materials Available (ex. Blog Post, Recording, Worksheets)

2019-2020 (truncated programming due to COVID-19): Communication, Diverse Communities, Unpaid Labor, Native Cultures, Neurodiversity*, Mental Health, Science and Spirituality.

2018-2019: Communication*, Diverse Communities*, Women in Science and Medicine, Navigating Science and Medicine as a Minority, Deaf Culture and Audism, Relationship Conflict*, Mental Health, Middle Eastern Cultures and US Historical Bias*, Systemic Racism, Ableism*, LGBTQ+ Health*.

2017-2018: Communication, Diverse Communities, Mass Incarceration, Health Disparities, 1st Generation Students, Systemic Racism, Mental Health, Education Disparities, Diversity in Research, Spirituality in Science*, Colorism*.

2016-2017: Communication, Diverse Communities, Islamic Faith*, Ableism, Transgender Identity, Allyship Workshop, Rural Areas, Graduate Student Mental Health, Women’s Health and Reproductive Rights, Cycle of Poverty.

2015-2016: Diverse Communities, Poverty, Colorism*, Judaic Faith, Intergroup Dialogue, Hyper-Masculinity, Asian American Experience*, Aging*, Islamic Faith.

We have also offered trips to understand the history, design, and challenges facing St. Louis led by Bob Handsman. Additionally weekend educational trips to Chicago* and Memphis have highlighted cultural events and historical museums.

Who Attends Connections Events?

All members of the WashU community are welcome to attend. Our events have been attended by students across both graduate and professional training programs, research staff, faculty, and WashU alums.

In the 2019-2020 school year, 175 individuals attended Connections events and represent over 6 academic units including: the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, WashU Medical School, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Biomedical Engineering, and the Medical Scientist Training Program.

Funding and Collaborations with Connections

Connections has been grateful to receive funding and support from Washington University in St. Louis and specifically the following groups:

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Washington University Medical Center Alumni Association.

We have also co-sponsored events with Washington University groups including: ABBGS, ProSPER, Future Educators and GALNACS.

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