The McDonnell Academy is a university-wide initiative that benefits all seven WashU academic schools by attracting premier graduate students from international institutions and the United States.
McDonnell Scholars are WashU graduate students chosen based on their ability to emerge as leaders and experts in their fields, with perspectives that reflect cultural competence. The McDonnell Academy unites these exceptional individuals from diverse academic disciplines and regions around the world, fostering a dynamic and vibrant community enriched by a multitude of cultures and perspectives.
As part of the commitment to being a McDonnell Scholar, students engage in a first-year leadership seminar, cohort trips, community service projects, and presentation skills development. Participation is a key component of the program. Through mentorship, professional development, and unique engagement opportunities, McDonnell Scholars embark on a transformative journey that enhances their capacity to drive positive change, emerging with a global outlook and the ability to foster growth in their communities and beyond.
Fellowship benefits
Scholars receive both financial and programmatic support.
| Comprehensive Support Fully funded tuition, generous monthly stipend, professional development funding, one-time relocation allowance, and access to extensive resources such as networking opportunities, specialized workshops, exclusive events, and corporate showcases. | |
| Leadership Development Scholars engage in enriching learning opportunities that have been specially tailored to develop leadership skills and to prepare them to tackle complex issues with ingenuity and resilience. | |
| Community Living Opportunity to reside in private, modern cohort housing within walking distance to the Danforth campus. | |
| Mentorship by Renowned Faculty World-class faculty provide personalized mentorship and guidance to support academic and professional development. | |
| Immersive Cultural Experiences Experience life in vibrant St. Louis and participate in cultural events and activities. Each year, first- and second-year McDonnell Scholars travel to either New York or Washington D.C. | |
| Communications Training Scholars participate in specialized communication training courses to enhance their interpersonal, presentation, and written communication skills. | |
| Global Network Join a diverse and vibrant community of scholars and alumni from across the globe, creating lifelong connections that bridge cultures and academic disciplines. |
Scholar attributes
The three pillars of the McDonnell Scholars program represent the defining attributes of every McDonnell Academy Scholar, beyond being an expert in one’s discipline. These competencies focus our core programming and help Scholars track their progress.
Scholars possess a global outlook, embrace differences, and engage in dialogue across cultures.
Global mindset
Two signature McDonnell Academy programs support Scholars in developing the communication skills essential for global leadership.
- Global Leadership Visions provides a platform for Scholars to share perspectives on international challenges through the lens of their academic work or their interests as a global citizen.
- The PhD-in-3D Competition challenges Scholars to present their research in a concise, compelling three-minute talk using only one slide and clear, jargon-free language. Both experiences promote cross-cultural understanding and prepare Scholars to engage diverse audiences with confidence and clarity.
The McDonnell Academy cultivates a global perspective through immersive experiences, dialogue, and collaboration across cultures. Scholars deepen their understanding of global systems and issues through communications programs and high-impact travel to places like New York City and Washington, DC—where they engage with leaders shaping finance, policy, and social innovation. Learn more
The McDonnell Academy also hosts Distinguished Visiting Scholars, bringing global experts to WashU who have distinguished themselves as leaders and innovators. While at WashU, Scholars actively contribute to the intellectual life of the campus by engaging with faculty and graduate students through public talks, mentoring sessions, classroom visits, and collaborative workshops and seminars.
Scholars aim to generate positive change and develop leadership skills within the McDonnell Academy.
Leadership
McDonnell Scholars build the skills to lead with purpose through the Academy’s tailored Leadership Course, professional communication training, and one-on-one development opportunities. Programs emphasize values-based leadership, effective engagement, and cross-sector problem-solving.
The Lunch with a Leader initiative invites Scholars to engage in candid conversation with global professionals from across industries—providing invaluable insight into leadership in action and the varied paths to impact.
The McDonnell Academy also sponsors two Endowed Public Lectures, which bring influential voices from around the world to WashU to address topics at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and global change.
Scholars join a diverse community and engage in McDonnell Academy activities to strengthen global ties.
Community
The McDonnell Academy creates opportunities for Scholars to connect, form meaningful people-to-people relationships, and take part in shared experiences that deepen their sense of community and global outlook. Local community events, people-centered initiatives and the McDonnell Academy Panel of Scholars (MAPS) are designed to foster collaboration, celebrate diversity, and support personal well-being.
Community also thrives through McDonnell Academy residences, located approximately 10-minutes (walking) to/from the Danforth Campus and are truly a great place to live! Designed with the Academy’s mission in mind, the residences provide our Scholars with unique living, learning, and social experiences.
Signature touchpoints throughout the year deepen this sense of belonging. The Annual Scholar Retreat sets the tone for purposeful engagement each fall, while Scholar-led gatherings offer informal and peer-driven opportunities to connect, reflect, and build community.
Scholars also benefit from Academy-supported conference attendance and professional development, expanding their networks and elevating WashU’s global presence.
Become a McDonnell Scholar
Together, our initiatives foster a dynamic environment where McDonnell Scholars grow as global thinkers, develop as leaders, and build a strong sense of community—reflecting WashU’s McDonnell Academy core pillars of global mindset, leadership, and community engagement.