Shepherd Program
Shepherd Program
Washington and Lee University
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Shepherd Program
The Shepherd Program for the Interdisciplinary Study of Poverty and Human Capability incorporates a spirit of engagement and service into students’ extra-curricular and academic lives. Shepherd students learn how to understand and address the causes and consequences of poverty and inequality in ways that respect the dignity of every person, through community engagement and academic offerings, including a
minor
and internship opportunities.
Students weave poverty-related courses across disciplines (economics, education, law, philosophy, politics, sociology, and more) with hands-on service and internship experiences to supplement their major areas of study. Those pursuing a
minor in poverty studies
undertake capstone research projects that connect their concerns about poverty and inequality with their future civic and professional lives.
For over 25 years, The Shepherd Program has supported student leadership and service opportunities in the local Rockbridge area and beyond. Understanding the causes and consequences of poverty requires direct collaboration with community partners.
Academics
Areas of Study
Student
Opportunities
Spring Term
Undergraduate Research
Internships
Global Education
Community
Engagement
Shepherd Program
The Bonner
Program
Student Service and
Engagement
Academic Centers
Libraries and
Museums
Graduate School of Law
Shepherd
in the News
Students and graduates of the Shepherd Program are involved all over campus and all over the world.
Stories
More Stories
Making Civic Magic
Shepherd Program students spent their Winter Term imagining how to create healthy spaces for civic discourse in the Rockbridge area.
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Annual Souper Bowl Raises Funds for W&L’s Backpack Program
This year’s event raised more than $13,000 to support the Campus Kitchen’s hunger-fighting project.
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Marisa Charley Awarded the Spring 2026 Civic Engagement Mini-Grant
Charley will utilize the grant to design pedagogical approaches that strengthen students’ civic engagement and learning.
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In The Lead: Linking Community and Career
From a public health Volunteer Venture trip to alumni mentorship, the W&L network opened doors and supported dreams for Liv Ullmann ’25.
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Jon Eastwood to Deliver Lecture in Honor of His Appointment to the William P. Ames Jr. Professorship in Sociology
Eastwood’s talk, titled “Reflections on the Sociology of Cynicism and Distrust,” will be held Feb. 19 in Northen Auditorium.
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W&L’s Campus Kitchen Hosts 14th Annual Souper Bowl
All proceeds from the Feb. 1 event will support the Campus Kitchen at W&L’s Backpack Program.
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Dominique Lamb ’08 to Deliver Lecture on Housing Equity
The Nov. 13 lecture on W&L’s campus is free and open to the public.
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In Memoriam: Harlan Beckley, Former Acting University President and Fletcher Otey Thomas Professor of Religion Emeritus
Beckley worked at Washington and Lee University for 40 years and served as the founding director of the Shepherd Program for the Interdisciplinary Study of Poverty and Human Capability.
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Campus Kitchen at W&L Hosts Annual Turkeypalooza
The community is encouraged to participate and donate to support Campus Kitchen’s seasonal programming, which kicks off Nov. 9.
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Shepherd’s Summer Interns Make an Impact Around the World
The Shepherd Program offers undergraduates three distinct pathways to complete its eight-week, full-time summer internship, each designed to deepen students’ understanding of poverty.
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Bringing Humanity Into The Conversation
Kate LeMasters ’15 cultivated a career of addressing public health inequalities with marginalized societies.
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Campus Kitchen Announces 2025-26 Just Food Series
W&L alumni return to campus as lecturers for the annual event series, which examines how food systems interact with issues of social justice.
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