Make a Lasting Impact During Your University Journey
At the Impact Center, we're dedicated to providing signature learning experiences that shape your educational path. As a student at the University, imagine immersing yourself in transformative opportunities beyond traditional classroom learning. The Impact Center is your gateway to hands-on experiences, innovative projects and collaborative initiatives that empower you to make a real difference in the world.
For more information, please contact impactcenter@webster.edu.
What Sets the Impact Center Apart
We offer signature learning experiences designed to foster personal growth, professional development and community engagement. Through these experiences, you'll gain practical skills, deepen your understanding of complex issues and connect with individuals who share your passion for positive change.
Through internships, research projects, service-learning and global study programs, the Impact Center offers opportunities tailored to your interests and goals. You'll explore your passions, tackle real-world challenges and make connections across disciplines under the guidance of experienced faculty and mentors.
鈥淚 can apply these skills to my future career by communicating with my future supervisors and trusting my creativity and design skills to accomplish the projects I鈥檓 assigned.鈥�
BA in Advertising and Marketing Communications, 鈥�25
Transform Your Education With the Impact Center
The Impact Center empowers you to step outside your comfort zone, develop critical thinking skills and become a leader in your field. These experiences enrich your education and shape your character, preparing you for a meaningful future.
Ready to go beyond a degree? Join us at the Impact Center. Develop your potential, broaden your horizons and make your mark at the University.
Student Testimonials
Student Employment
鈥淐ombining my theatre experience in the conservatory with my office experience here at the career center has shown me just how much I enjoy both. I look forward to exploring how the two can combine in the future.鈥�
Evie Weaver
BFA in Costume Design, 鈥�26
Undergraduate Research
鈥淭his experience taught me the importance of self-assurance, even in unfamiliar territories, fostering personal growth.鈥�
Richard Brooks
BS in Biological Sciences, 鈥�23
Research Across the Disciplines
Collaborative research is recognized as a high-impact educational practice, and the Research Across the Disciplines (RAD) conference demonstrates the University's commitment to student scholarship. Faculty, students and administrators are encouraged to attend RAD sessions to support student research. All Impact Center participants present at RAD to earn their digital badge.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RAD CONFERENCE
鈥淚 found myself bringing skills I had learned in the classroom to actuality, as well as gaining new skills from mentors and fellow coworkers.鈥�
BS in Computer Science, 鈥�25
Research Across Disciplines ConferenceTypes of Experiences Available
The Impact Center offers employment opportunities that provide hands-on experience in professional settings. Students work closely with mentors and potential employers through on-campus jobs, work-study positions and internships.
Example: Edward Jones Career Pathways Summer Internship
鈥淢y grasp of effective communication, project coordination and change management principles has grown as a result of this experience.鈥�
BA in Psychology, 鈥�24
Read About His Internship with Edward Jones
鈥淒uring my time as an intern at Edward Jones, I had the privilege of immersing myself in a dynamic and evolving environment that allowed me to develop and apply a range of valuable skills. I improved my interpersonal skills and learned how to start and sustain meaningful discussions by taking part in mentorship meetings, attending workplace events, and participating in team meetings. Through these conversations, I was able to expand my professional network and gain knowledge about other positions inside the organization.鈥�
鈥淭he supportive environment, focus on development, and the opportunity to engage with professionals at different career stages created an amazing experience throughout my internship.鈥�
Undergraduate research pairs students with faculty members to address unexplored research
questions or problems. Students across disciplines can participate to learn scientific
inquiry and observation methods.
Example: Ecology Research Assistants, Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Global Policy Horizons Research Lab Position
The Global Policy Horizons (GPH) Research Lab seeks two research assistants in international security to work with Dani Belo, PhD.
Research assistants will:
鈥� Study how transatlantic security institutions can better deter hybrid and unconventional
threats
鈥� Analyze policy and peer-reviewed materials from databases and open sources
鈥� Produce two policy papers on case studies
鈥� Create a 20-page publishable report based on scholarly research
鈥� Format publications for the GPH webpage
The position includes dedicated office space and regular meetings.
This Impact Center Experience develops professional skills and offers digital badges to document achievements. To apply, submit your application and contact impactcenter@webster.edu for Experience details.
Co-curricular opportunities where students hold leadership positions that require a certain level of responsibility.
Example: SGA, Student Government Association
鈥淒isagreements are a huge part of life, and the talks that we would all have as a group really helped me learn and understand ways to get along. ... Having that understanding and knowing the importance of compromise can overcome any type of challenge.鈥�
BA in Education with an Emphasis in Secondary Mathematics, '25
These opportunities allow students to learn about world views that differ from their own.
Example: , KEYS 4005 Global Gender Rights
鈥淭his experience changed my perspectives on intercultural competence. People are people, no matter where they are from and what their first language.鈥�
BA in International Human Rights, 鈥�26
These classes allow students to create a project that integrates and applies their learning.
Example: Directing Capstone, Conservatory of Theatre Arts
鈥淭his experience exceeded my expectations, and I am so grateful for the growth I鈥檝e gained through this time and mentorship.鈥�
BFA in Dance, 鈥�24
BFA in Dance ProgramService-learning is a form of experiential learning where students are involved in some community program often related to their area of study. It helps students gain valuable experience while also teaching them the benefit of giving back to their communities. Application of concepts and reflection on learning are key components.
Example: Literacy tutor, Student Literacy Corps
鈥淏eing a tutor with SLC ... helped me deepen my passion for teaching. Seeing the joy of learning and 'aha' moments shine on my students' faces was the highlight of every tutoring session.鈥�
MA in TESL, 鈥�21, Fulbright Scholar
鈥淚 had to balance a handful of projects for this job: outreach, field work, and my own work with data from Shaw Nature Reserve (SNR).鈥�
BA in Biology, 鈥�24
Lindsay McDaniels Swearingen, MA
(she/her)
Interim Director of the Impact Center; Program Director, Edward Jones Pathways Program
Phone: 314-246-7468
Email: lmcdaniels09@webster.edu
Visit the Impact Center today and embark on a transformative journey that will shape
your future.
Become an agent of change during your university adventure.
For more information, please contact impactcenter@webster.edu.
The Impact Center: Where Your Impact Begins.