Washington People

Whether meeting one-on-one with a new student or modeling a bold initiative like the university’s new need-blind admissions policy, Mike Runiewicz, assistant vice provost and director of Student Financial Services, is committed to making Washington University more accessible to students.

Two of WashU’s largest student groups are led by one very busy junior: John Jachimiak. As co-president of Heart for the Unhoused, Jachimiak travels to shelters across the region to conduct health screenings. And as president of the campus QuestBridge chapter, Jachimiak gives scholars resources, a voice and, most importantly, a community. 

Kris Campa is the first graduate of the John B. Ervin Scholars Program to lead it. He mentors students in his capacity as Ervin director and while teaching creative writing in University College.

The Brown School’s Vetta Sanders Thompson has spent much of her career focused on racial identity, diversity and health.

The Washington University Police Department’s Gwen Patton has been serving the community as a police officer for nearly 25 years. Her history at the university allows her to care for the campus community she is a part of.

Economist Andrew Jordan in Arts & Sciences uses data analytics to uncover potential bias in the criminal justice system by studying the decisions made by courts, police and prosecutors.

Artist Amy Hauft, director of the College of Art at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, has the most complex exhibition of her career on view at Mass MoCA in Massachusetts. She discusses “700,000:1 | Terra + Luna + Sol,” her working process and humanity’s place in a dangerous universe.

Fangqiong Ling shares her love for science both inside the classroom and outside in the St. Louis community. Her commitment to impactful research has earned her recognition from associations, mentors and colleagues.

Trailblazer Victoria Fraser, MD, head of the Department of Medicine, the medical school’s largest department, advocates for equity in academic medicine and addresses structural barriers that limit the careers of women and members of other underrepresented groups.

As a world-class anthropologist who has made it her life’s work to study primate sociality, Crickette Sanz knows firsthand how important it is to forge strong social connections to help her achieve work/life balance.