Leadership took center stage this October as the Bauer Leaders Academy wrapped up another inspiring Leadership Week – a campus-wide celebration dedicated to connection, growth, and community.
The week featured events for students, staff, and faculty to explore leadership from every angle – from hands-on workshops to large-scale expos – culminating in a celebration of collaboration and creativity that brought the WashU community together.
Building Connections at the Leadership Expo
The week kicked off with the Leadership Expo, where more than 250 students filled Edison Courtyard to connect with leadership programs and opportunities from across the university. Students met with representatives from initiatives like the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement, Skandalaris Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Campus Y, Olin Leadership Programs, and of course, the Bauer Leaders Academy.
The event offered students a chance to explore how leadership looks different across WashU – from civic engagement to entrepreneurship – and to find their own paths toward becoming changemakers on campus and beyond.
Healing the Community, Leading with Purpose: Dr. Punch’s Keynote
On Tuesday, we welcomed Dr. Punch as our keynote speaker for an inspiring conversation on hope, healing, and resilience. Drawing from his powerful work as a physician, educator, and community leader, Dr. Punch spoke about the importance of showing up for one another – especially in times of hardship. His reflections on the aftermath of the May 16th tornado and his continued commitment to the St. Louis community left a lasting impact. Over 50 students, faculty, and staff joined the event, with another 30 students staying afterward for dinner and deeper conversation.
Celebrating Community at the BLA Birthday Bash
On Friday, the celebration continued with the BLA Birthday Bash, a student favorite filled with energy, laughter, and plenty of cake. Students created their own goodie bags, picked up exclusive BLA mugs, and snapped photos with friends at a themed photo booth. The event was a joyful reminder of the community that continues to grow around leadership at WashU – one celebration (and cupcake) at a time. 🎉
Competition Meets Collaboration at the Leaders Cup
The excitement carried into the weekend with the Leaders Cup Challenge, where over 50 students competed in team-based leadership challenges designed to test creativity, strategy, and collaboration. The winning team earned $500 in prize money, exclusive Leaders Cup t-shirts, and tickets to Activate STL.
The event highlighted one of the week’s biggest takeaways – that leadership thrives when students come together, learn from one another, and lead with purpose.
Leadership Across Campus
Beyond student programming, Leadership Week also extended to staff and faculty initiatives. The Staff Leadership Day, hosted in partnership with WashU Human Resources, saw over 200 staff members participate in virtual workshops designed to foster leadership and connection across departments.
Through shared experiences and interactive learning, participants explored what it means to lead from every seat – whether in the classroom, on a team, or across the university.
Looking Ahead
As Leadership Week came to a close, one thing was clear: leadership at WashU isn’t confined to titles or roles – it’s something every member of the community can practice, celebrate, and grow.
From the expo to the birthday bash and the Leaders Cup, this year’s events reflected the Bauer Leaders Academy’s mission to empower students and staff alike to lead with authenticity, courage, and collaboration.
Here’s to another year of building community, developing leaders, and celebrating the many ways WashU leads.