The George and Carol Bauer Leaders Academy at Washington University in St. Louis is the centerpiece of WashU Leads, the university’s strategic initiative to become the premier institution for developing leaders of character and capability. Funded by a $20 million gift, the Academy is built on a clear conviction: that academic excellence alone is not enough, and that every student deserves the space and guidance to reflect on their purpose, understand their values and strengths, and develop the self-awareness and interpersonal skills that make leadership real.

The Academy’s signature is a four-year undergraduate leadership development journey. In the first year, all undergraduates engage with purpose, values, and leadership identity through orientation programming and coursework, including a one-credit course on the college transition. In years two through four, students who want to go deeper can access one-on-one and small-group leadership coaching with certified coaches, take courses across disciplines infused with WashU’s model of leader development through faculty grants, and participate in workshops and signature events including an annual Leadership Week. Students who complete the full four-year journey may compete for the program’s selective Leadership Scholar Certification. Running through all of it is a commitment that applies to every student regardless of background or professional path: that their time at WashU will leave them prepared to pursue their purpose with integrity and a genuine commitment to positive impact in the world.