GW Student Resources
Diversity & Inclusion Resources
Office for Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement
The Office for Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement (ODECE) is committed to fostering a university where all members of the community feel included. In an effort to work toward inclusive excellence, ODECE provides consultation, resources, and support to advance and sustain inclusive environments for all faculty, staff, and students across the university. ODECE supports the GW community’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in a number of ways, such as hosting the annual GW Diversity Summit.
Office of Access and Opportunity
The Office of Access and Opportunity (OAO) has oversight responsibility for the implementation and management of the university’s Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Non-Retaliation Policy and supporting procedures. OAO provides central complaint intake, review, and referral for informal and investigative processes to address reports of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation. In collaboration with other university units, OAO aims to uphold and maintain a GW environment free from discrimination and harassment on the basis of protected characteristics, taking action to stop the conduct, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects.
Multicultural Student Services Center
The MSSC is a home away from home for all historically marginalized undergraduate and graduate students. The MSSC offers programming, support, basic needs, academic resources, and a space to build community for Students of Color & the BIPOC community, women, gender expansive students, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Programming in the MSSC focuses on race, ethnicity & culture and gender & sexuality.
Center for Interfaith & Spiritual Life
The Center for Interfaith & Spiritual Life (CISL) supports and strengthens the university's religious and philosophical diversity by providing opportunities to engage with spiritual life on campus through interfaith engagement, education, service, worship, and meditation. The Center promotes and supports spiritual development, theological reflections, religious tolerance, social justice, and social awareness in a warm and welcoming atmosphere where students, faculty, and staff feel comfortable exploring their religious and spiritual identities.
First-Generation Students/First Gen United
First Gen United (FGU) is GW's only student organization comprised of and for first-generation college students. Being a first-gen student is something to celebrate, and this student organization seeks to help you soar to success. FGU assists first-generation college students in three areas: acclimation, advocacy, and academics.
Personal Safety & Support
Campus Safety
At the George Washington University (GW), we are committed to providing a safe environment that fosters learning, personal growth, and community engagement. Campus Safety is dedicated to just that, bringing together Environmental Health & Safety, Emergency Medical Response Group (EMeRG), GWorld, GW Police Department, Office of Emergency Management, and Office of Advocacy & Support, we work together to fulfill GW's Mission of safety. Whether you are attending class, working on campus, or exploring the District of Columbia, we aim to make your time at GW as safe and enjoyable as possible.
Conflict Education & Student Accountability
Conflict Education & Student Accountability (CESA) engages across GW to foster equitable and restorative accountability to community standards. We do this through promoting individual rights and communal responsibilities, supporting community members to identify and repair harm, and growing community capacity for conflict management.
Counseling and Psychological Services
GW CAPS works collaboratively with students to provide compassionate, comprehensive, and inclusive mental health services that foster emotional and personal development. Through counseling, outreach, campus partnerships, and education and training, they engage with the entire GW community to promote a campus culture of holistic well-being.
Title IX Office
The Title IX Office provides resources and reporting options to students, faculty, and staff who have been impacted by sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking. The Title IX Office also offers prevention education training programs on how to create and maintain an inclusive educational and workplace environment.
Office of Advocacy and Support
The Office of Advocacy and Support provides trauma-informed and healing-centered confidential support to GW students impacted by sexual violence, relationship violence, and/or stalking. OAS plays a crucial role in fostering a community that values and promotes healthy relationships through support and prevention programming. OAS is committed to cultivating and strengthening a culture of care that empathetically supports and empowers GW community members. In service of this mission, OAS is proud to work with campus partners to create a safer, healthier, and more informed campus community.
Academic Support
Office of Student Success
The mission of OSS is to support academic progress, student engagement, and well-being to ensure student satisfaction and successful student experiences, thereby improving retention and graduation outcomes. GW offers students many resources to ensure successful academic, personal, and professional outcomes. These range from academic resources, individualized support, high impact academic, health, and wellness programs, career services, and more. We recognize that navigating a large university and knowing where to go for assistance can be overwhelming.
Academic Commons
Academic Commons supports GW students and the wider university community through centralized, high-quality learning programs, services, and resources with an emphasis on peer-to-peer engagement. We promote academic excellence by helping individuals develop interdependent learning skills and building a collaborative network of campus partners dedicated to student success.
Disability Support Services
DSS is responsible for institutional compliance with federal laws requiring equal access to education for individuals with disabilities. DSS handles a wide variety of accommodations and other auxiliary support services for the over 1100 students with disabilities at GW, including incoming undergraduates and those enrolled in post-graduate and professional school programs. DSS also works with students enrolled at the Arlington and Ashburn campuses, as well as those enrolled in distance education certificate and degree programs. In addition to providing services to students, DSS offers teaching support for faculty.
Career Services
GW’s investment in the career and professional development of students and alumni is demonstrated by the extensive career services and professional networks available through the Center for Career Services, school- based career centers, and the Office of Alumni Relations. Our distinctive career culture empowers students and alumni to translate their world-class academic and co-curricular experiences at GW into a lifetime of productive and engaged citizenship. The university has various career services departments that are here to help you find the information and support you need. Contact the center that serves your respective school or meets your hiring needs to learn more about the specialized resources and services available to you.
Other Support
The Store
The Store is George Washington University’s on-campus food pantry, offering students free access to fresh food, dry goods, and hygiene items. Our mission is to address food insecurity at GW by providing supplemental food support to students to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed academically and personally.
The Loop
The Loop is GW’s free clothing exchange store on the Mount Vernon Campus, located in Academic Building Room 122. All clothing, shoes, and accessories are completely free for the GW community. Bring your clothing donations and exchange those old items in your wardrobe that no longer spark joy for a brand new-to-you outfit. Exchange is encouraged but not required.
Emergency Funding
GW recognizes that there are times during which a student will need emergency support whether for personal expenses, textbooks or additional Campus Cash for meals. The University offers a number of funds, in the form of loans and grants, to help address emergencies that arise.