Leah Merrifield

The inaugural cohort of Washington University’s College Prep Program will spend its final summer on campus learning from a leading scientist and lifelong musician: Provost Holden Thorp. Thorp has created a college-credit course that explores teamwork in science and music. Now in its third year, the College Prep Program is a multiyear, immersive program for talented, low-income high school students.

​Leah Merrifield, assistant vice chancellor for community engagement at Washington University in St. Louis, has worked at Olin Business School, in the Office of the Chancellor and in the Office of Government and Community Relations – twice. Her titles have been different, but in her 20 years at the university, her overarching goal has remained the same: to help Washington University be a more diverse and inclusive place.

​​Now in its second year, Washington University in St. Louis’ College Prep Program prepares talented, low-income high school students for college. This year’s cohort of 46 students represents 24 local high schools. Students made ethanol in a lab, composed stories in the university’s Writing Center and learned to kickbox​. 

​​Leah Me​rrifield loves attending productions at the Rep, the New Jewish Theatre and the St. Louis Black Rep. She will share other St. Louis gems tonight at the St. Louis Up Close presentation in the Danforth University Center. 

The inaugural class of WUSTL’s innovative College Prep Program recently wrapped up its first two-week residential experience. The students will return during the summers of their junior and senior years to take college-credit classes. The new program prepares students for college and its challenges.

An innovative new initiative will bring 20 rising high school sophomores to the Washington University in St. Louis campus for three summers. The students will live on the South 40, take classes for credit and craft their college essays.