From the Dean

Peabody College builds community through education, whether by collaborating with partners a mile or thousands of miles away from our campus. We may work with local Nashville students and teachers to support literacy and inspire future scientists, or with school systems in other countries to help foster education equity, or even with people impacted by the carceral system who seek a brighter future through STEM educational opportunities. No matter with whom we partner, we share a common goal—to improve individuals’ lives through education and, in turn, to strengthen communities.

That goal is evident in the numerous programs offered by the Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach, an initiative at Peabody that engages middle and high school students from Metro Nashville Public Schools in STEM education on Vanderbilt’s campus and at educational sites across the city. This summer CSEO students participated in lively discussions on particle physics, conducted original research in Vanderbilt labs, and presented their findings at research symposia. Some even took up beekeeping! Read more about their exciting summer of STEM learning.

While not all young people see themselves as scientists, Professor Heidi Carlone thinks her innovative approach to STEM education may inspire more middle school students to imagine the possibility. Last year, she began a fieldwork and restoration project with Nashville students at Mill Creek. She is collaborating with researchers across Vanderbilt and with ecological partners in the Nashville community to support young people in developing STEM identities and agency to care for their local environments amid climate anxiety. This is a truly inspiring story!

The Initiative for Race Research and Justice also aims to support communities through educational opportunities. Directed by Rich Milner, Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair in Education, RRJ collaborates with a range of organizations to advance racial justice and disrupt systemic inequities across education landscapes, including in classrooms, communities, and the carceral system. We are happy to highlight several of RRJ’s community-focused research initiatives. I hope you will feel as inspired by their meaningful impact as I am.

As these stories demonstrate, Peabody is connected in numerous ways to our local communities, but we are also part of a global community, one that shares our commitment to human flourishing. Our story on Peabody’s global outreach features just a few of the ways we have partnered with international colleagues, from Vietnam to Colombia and from Turkey to the United Kingdom. Beginning this fall, we are expanding our global efforts. Through our new Peabody Global Initiatives office, our faculty will receive increased support to pursue international research and develop impactful partnerships and networks.

I hope you enjoy reading these stories, as well as our roundup of campus news and profiles of fascinating alumni whose impact and leadership reflect the Peabody spirit.

Camilla Persson Benbow

Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development