Contribute to OSS
The "with" in Open Source with SLU is vital to our success. We work with everyone to build open source software that serves real needs. There are several ways to contribute. Find the path that fits where you are.
Contribute Code and More
For anyone. No affiliation with SLU required.
Write code, fix bugs, test features, improve documentation, or help with design on active open source projects used by real organizations. Start with a single pull request or become a regular contributor.
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- All skill levels welcome. There are issues tagged for beginners and experienced developers alike.
- Work on your own schedule with no minimum commitment.
- After five contributions, you can join the oss-slu GitHub organization with write access.
- Earn contributor badges recognizing specialized roles (code, design, documentation, QA, and more).
- All you need to get started is a GitHub account and our Slack workspace.
Join our developer community ⇨
Gain Professional Experience
For SLU undergraduates enrolled in the CS capstone.
Turn your required capstone course into career-launching experience. You'll build production software for real clients on a structured team with a graduate student Tech Lead. You automatically join our paid developer bench for ongoing work opportunities.
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- Work in small, focused teams following industry-standard practices (sprints, code review, version control).
- Build a portfolio of real GitHub repositories and deployed applications.
- Paid development opportunities continue throughout your remaining studies, based on availability and performance.
- During registration, look for CS Capstone sections associated with Open Source with SLU.
Learn about the capstone experience ⇨
Lead a Team
For SLU graduate students with strong technical skills and leadership potential.
Serve as Tech Lead for a capstone software development team. Architect solutions, mentor undergraduates, coordinate with clients, and maintain an open source product. Includes a stipend, academic credit, and paid development opportunities.
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- Approximately 12+ hours/week commitment across the semester.
- Begins with the Building Open Leadership Toolsets (BOLT) pre-semester workshop ($500 stipend).
- Satisfies Software Engineering, Advanced Applications, or general CS elective requirements.
- Open to CS, Software Engineering, STEM Entrepreneurship, and other graduate programs with relevant experience.
- Application required. See the full page for current timelines.
Mentor the Next Generation
For experienced professionals working in industry or research.
Share your expertise with emerging development teams. You can participate informally through our Slack community, or commit to a semester as an Industry Fellow with a university affiliation, campus access, and structured mentoring events.
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- Informal mentoring: Join Slack, connect with project teams, provide code reviews and guidance on your own schedule.
- Industry Fellows program: Attend at least two in-person mentoring events per semester plus online participation with a capstone team. Includes university ID, email access, library privileges, and co-working space.
- Application required for the Industry Fellows program. See the full page for current timelines.