According to a 2014 Climate Survey performed by WashU’s Mosaic Project, women and gender minoritized students at both graduate and undergraduate levels were less likely to report feeling that they had a sense of community on campus. However, approximately the same percentage of folx from the surveyed gender categories (women, men, other preferred term) agreed or strongly agreed that they had a faculty or staff member they could turn to for support, with a range of 42-44% agreement and 22-25% strong agreement in each respective category.
We know that mentorship is a crucial part of the graduate experience and that it can come in many different forms. Below, we’ve listed some resources for gender minoritized and women graduate & professional students looking for mentorship at WashU.
Unfortunately, there are not currently any organizations at WashU for gender minoritized faculty members and students to come together in a mentored relationship. Still, there are many Trans and LGBTQIA+ organizations at WashU that have resources and create community on campus for non-cis/het folx. Many of the organizations listed below are open to graduate as well as undergraduate students.
- Trans @ WashU Resources (List from Diversity & Inclusion)
- Transcending Gender : Discussion and gender exploration for trans students
- Connections* peer mentoring group
- WashU Pride Alliance
- OutGrads (University-Wide)
- OutLaw
- OutMed
- LGBT Health Interest Group
- WashU Ace & Aro
- Women and Non-Binary Multicultural Association
WashU has several organizations for women faculty, staff, and/or students, including the following:
- Association of Women faculty on the Danforth Campus
- Academic Women’s Network for the School of Medicine
- American Medical Women’s Association
- Olin Women in Business
- Society of Women Engineers
- Women in Engineering
- Women Faculty in Engineering
- Women in Architecture & Design
- Women in Computer Science
- Women of Color Law Society
- Women’s Law Caucus
- Ellevate at WashU
The Office of the Ombuds can assist with, among other matters, resolving conflicts with mentors or supervisors on behalf of graduate students. They will act as a confidential, neutral third party, and their service is absolutely free of charge. The Office recommends that individuals contact the Ombudsperson by phone, since emails cannot guarantee confidentiality. See our resources for discrimination and harassment for more information on the Ombuds Office.