Rooted in authentic connection and engagement, Vanderbilt’s residential college experience is a special aspect of student life at the university. Undergraduate houses and colleges are led by faculty, with their families and pets, who live with students, creating another vibrant layer of learning and community. Meet the university’s newest faculty heads of house and heads of college in this special series.
(John Russell/Vanderbilt)
Emily Pendergrass, associate professor of the practice and director of the Reading Education program in the Department of Teaching and Learning, is the faculty head of Oliver C. Carmichael College.
This is the second time Pendergrass has been a faculty head of house. She and her family started their residential faculty journey in 2021 in West House on The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons.
Pendergrass focuses her research on adolescent literacy practices, paying particular attention to readers who are labeled as struggling. Pendergrass works closely with area public schools in literacy coaching and facilitating professional development workshops for teachers.
- Name: Emily Pendergrass
- Residential college: Oliver C. Carmichael
- Years at Vanderbilt: 14
- Hometown: I was born outside Atlanta and grew up near Nashville.
- Favorite song: Currently my most played song on Spotify is “Only a Song” by Ben Sollee.
- Favorite book: Impossible to name just one!
- Favorite food: My homemade pickles
- Favorite spot on campus: Wyatt Lawn
- What are you most looking forward to for the upcoming academic year? I’m thrilled to call Carmichael College my new home! I’m excited to build a spirit of collaboration and create an immersive living-learning environment. I look forward to engaging with Carmichael students, sharing ideas and growing together. Plus, the Carmichael Café is the perfect spot for enriching conversations over coffee.
- Why did you want to move from West House to Carmichael College? I’m excited about the opportunity to open the new and final college on West End Avenue. I think working with older students instead of first-years provides a new challenge as the older students might not be as engaged as the first-years since they have established connections on campus. I hope that I can bring excitement and engagement to Carmichael.
(John Russell/Vanderbilt)
- What do you value about the residential college experience? The community and sense of belonging that living and learning together affords.
- What does your family think about moving from 21st to West End? They are excited about the new apartment, since we’re moving from The Ingram Commons, and a new view onto West End with restaurants to choose from.
- What advice do you have for new students coming to campus and for returning students? Take advantage of every opportunity that you can while you are here!
- What do you love about working at Vanderbilt? The students are by far the best thing about working at Vanderbilt.
Read about other faculty heads of house and heads of college in this special series.
Learn more about Vanderbilt’s residential colleges.
