Campus Y at WashU
MO 63130
Office Hours (hours vary by program)
| Mon - Fri: | 9am - 5pm |
| Sat - Sun: | Closed |
Office Hours (hours vary by program)
| Mon - Fri | 9am - 5pm |
| Sat - Sun | Closed |
Welcome to Campus Y at WashU!
At Campus Y, we empower student leaders to transform their passions into meaningful community engagement.
Serving the WashU community in St. Louis since 1911, the organization offers 23 student-led community engagement programs. More than 400 students participate in our programs each year, providing much-needed services throughout the community.
LEADING
through mentorship and hands-on experience, students build skills in organization, teamwork, and advocacy, preparing them for leadership.
SERVING
through student-led programs addressing community needs, fostering volunteerism, connection, and empathy through partnerships with local organizations.
ENGAGING
with students and residents, strengthening campus life and community ties through meaningful initiatives and lasting relationships.
By the Numbers
In 2024, Campus Y had...
volunteers
volunteer hours
active programs
community partners
Connect With Us
For more information about our programs, leadership opportunities, community partnerships, and how to get involved, email our staff team!
General Contact
For more information about programs:
campusy.wustl@gwrymca.org
To learn about leadership opportunities:
campusyexec@gwrymca.org
Leadership Staff
Laura Lytle
Executive Director
laura.lytle@gwrymca.org
Amber Thomas
Director of Program Administration
amber.thomas@gwrymca.org
Sydney Barnason
Director of Outreach & Specialty Programs
sydney.barnason@gwrymca.org
Matt Thompson
District Vice President
matt.thompson@gwrymca.org
Student Executive Team ('25-'26)
Alex Zhang
Student Director
director.campusy@gwrymca.org
The student director is the "Face of the Campus Y" and serves as the liaison between Campus Y, other student groups, and the university. The Student Director also supports programs that are struggling or challenged. The Student Director leads the exec team in their weekly meetings and runs the Student Board, comprised of the Program Chairs.
Reach out to the Student Director with questions and ideas for new programs! Or questions about Casual Conversations.
Fareeha Siddique
Finance Director
finance.campusy@gwrymca.org
The finance director is responsible for overseeing the financial resources at the Y provided through SU funding. The finance director manages program supply purchases, and supports Program Leaders in acquiring transportation.
Reach out to the Finance Director for questions and guidance on transportation and purchasing logistics.
Lance Yeh
Philanthropy Director
giving.campusy@gwrymca.org
The philanthropy director is responsible for all Campus Y fundraising. The philanthropy director works with Program Leaders to provide several fundraisers throughout the school year, and works with Staff, PLs, and volunteers to raise funds for the Campus Y's Annual Campaign.
Reach out to the Philanthropy Director with ideas and questions about Campus Y Fundraising.
Sophia Hellman
Membership Director
members.campusy@gwrymca.org
The membership director is responsible for creating community and connecting within the Campus Y. They provide PLs and volunteers with opportunities to bond. The membership director is also responsible for major communication to PLs and volunteers through the "Weekl-Y" - Campus Y's newsletter.
Reach out to the Membership Director with stories and photos of programming, and share ideas and questions about upcoming bonding events.
Sydney Buffett
Outreach Director
outreach.campusy@gwrymca.org
The outreach director is responsible for introducing students to the Campus Y, supporting PLs in volunteer recruitment, and working with the Membership and Student Director to create and foster relationships with other student groups.
Reach out to the Outreach Director with questions about partnering with other student groups or support with volunteer recruitment and retention.
Melinda Zhang
Leadership Director
leadership.campusy@gwrymca.org
The leadership director is responsible for providing PLs with exceptional professional development opportunities throughout the year by planning, with all of the exec team's help, the General Body Meetings (GBMs) and Retreats.
Reach out to the Leadership Director with any ideas or questions about upcoming GBMs, and share resources and contact information for leadership development opportunities and trainings.
Student Leaders & Volunteers
At Campus Y, every student plays a role in making our programs thrive. From serving as a volunteer to stepping into leadership positions, students bring energy, passion, and creativity to every initiative.
Student Leadership: The Executive Council serves as the primary programming and policy-making body for the Campus Y. Other leadership responsibilities are carried out by the Program Leaders and Program Chairs. Program Chairs recruit and manage Program Leaders. Program Leaders recruit and manage volunteers for the programs offered each academic year.
Volunteers: Campus Y Student Members are volunteers from all classes and all areas of study at Washington University. They represent some of the most caring and committed leaders across a broad spectrum of interests among our student body. Each member enjoys the satisfaction of seeing the impact of their program, as well as the experience of making significant advances in their own development as a leader.
Campus Y: In the News 🗞️
Kate Choi, Impacting the St. Louis Community Through Work at the Campus Y
Check out this great piece highlighting the Kate Choi in how she made a difference as an America Reads tutor through the Campus Y. From piloting a new phonics curriculum at local libraries to helping expand literacy programs into schools, Kate has played a key role in boosting reading skills for local youth.
Einstein Explorers at St. Louis Children’s Hospital
WashU Campus Y volunteers bring science to life for patients, including gooey oobleck and hands-on experiments that let kids just be kids. Over the past year, the team expanded its reach to four hospital sites and began serving younger students in three elementary schools, making science more accessible and fun for our community.
🍂 Fall 2025 Events 🍂
Safe Trick or Treat
📆 Friday, October 18th
📍 WashU
Holly Jolly Holiday Breakfast
📆 Sunday, December 7th
📍 Bayer YMCA
2024 Program Highlights
Diabetes Prevention Initiative
In collaboration with the Y’s Community Health Team, student leaders have explored local clinics, partnered with local community gardens and public health initiatives to address food insecurity in North St. Louis and the Metro East.
America Reads
Student leaders support youth academic success through community partnerships. This year, leaders collaborated with Turn the Page STL to pilot a phonics-based tutoring program. Highlights: 142 youth tutored at STL Public Libraries and Schools.
Science Olympiad
A national STEM competition program for youth hosted by student leaders for the first time in person at WashU. Highlights: 250 middle school students served in the fall, 550 high school students served in the spring. Student leaders will continue to launch new teams and expand access.
Safe Trick or Treat
In collaboration with more than 20 other student-led organizations, student leaders welcomed more than 300 community members to a a safe trick or treating experience for families while building community among students on campus.
Einstein Explorers
A student-led STEAM program brought to children in hospitals and after-school programs. This year, their reach expanded to St. Louis and Ritenour Public Schools.
Support the Campus Y
Our Annual Campaign provides financial assistance and subsidies to ensure all who wish to participate can, regardless of their financial situation. Growing our Annual Campaign will ensure that we scale and expand our programs into our most vulnerable communities. To ensure we are deepening our impact, we will innovate our programming to meet community needs.