Since the start of the academic year, Vanderbilt has witnessed a rush of “Moments That Matter”—from surpassing giving goals ahead of schedule to an exhilarating football victory over Alabama. Contributing to these hallmark moments are Vanderbilt staff, a theme that speakers reflected on throughout the 2024 Fall Staff Assembly.
On Thursday, Nov. 14, more than 570 staff members packed the room at the Student Life Center for the event, which was also livestreamed for a virtual audience.
DIERMEIER: ‘VANDERBILT IS … LEADING THE CHARGE’
Despite turbulent times in higher education, Vanderbilt isn’t just holding a steady course, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier told staff at the assembly. In many ways, the university is thriving and leading the charge as American universities find their way back to the core values that made them the envy of the world.
Weaving through the “moments that matter” theme, Diermeier touched upon a collection of key events that exemplify not only how Vanderbilt is thriving across all measures and daring to grow, but how Vanderbilt staff “moves mountains all the time and then exceeds expectations.”
“Our momentum is in overdrive,” Diermeier said. “And yet still picking up speed!”
Among the events Diermeier highlighted:
- The Dare to Grow campaign eclipsing its $3.2B goal 20 months ahead of schedule
- The highly attended Reunion weekend which witnessed over 3,500 alumni congregating on campus
- The success of Welcome Week and Founders Walk, reflected in social media videos that received 5.5 million views—a 1,200 percent increase from last year
- The expansion of the residential college community into the West End Neighborhood—a feat that was 12 years in the making
- Partnerships with Metro Nashville Public Schools made possible through the guidance of Vanderbilt’s government and community relations team
- The opening of the Roberts Academy and Dyslexia Center
The message underpinning these achievements was clear: It’s Vanderbilt’s staff that makes these achievements possible. These, and many other staff-led efforts, are what “create and nourish the university’s culture,” Diermeier said.
In conclusion, the chancellor expressed gratitude for Vanderbilt’s staff: “When people look at Vanderbilt, this is what they see. They see a university they can believe in. A university worth trusting with what matters most. And a community of people to team up and work with, in the shared purpose of a better world. That’s because we are a community defined by our purpose and guided by our values, with staff, like all of you, leading the way.
“You, every day, are Vanderbilt.”
DOUGHTY HIGHLIGHTS HOW STAFF ENRICH THE VANDERBILT STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Keyonte’ Doughty, Class of 2025, is a Vanderbilt senior studying political science and human and organizational development. He delivered a heartfelt speech to the audience at the Student Life Center. He spoke about “collectively striving to succeed,” a philosophy that underscores the importance of teamwork, collaboration and support in the Vanderbilt community. Reflecting on the impact staff has had on his experience, Doughty acknowledged the individuals from the University Counseling Center, Campus Dining and the Career Center, among others.
“In my experience, it truly takes a village to create a thriving educational environment. The relationships we build with staff members make our time at Vanderbilt not only successful, but also meaningful,” Doughty said. “The care and attention you provide create a safety net for students as we navigate the ups and downs of college life. Each interaction—whether it’s a quick chat in the hall or assistance in the office—reinforces the idea that we are all in this together. Together, we are not just a university, we are a family striving for collective success.”
SAVION: ‘RECOGNIZE THE MOMENTS THAT MATTER MOST’
After Doughty’s remarks, Sydney Savion—the university’s first vice chancellor for people, culture and belonging—invited staff members to think back upon unique moments in their Vanderbilt journeys and how those define their sense of belonging at Vanderbilt. Those moments, she said, help build the culture at Vanderbilt—a feeling of community that pulls not only from the efforts of people, culture and belonging, but from staff across the campus.
“While we all belong at Vanderbilt, we also belong to one another,” Savion said. “We create space for each other, honoring the differences between us and celebrating its impact on our collective growth. Our time here isn’t just about the moments we create for ourselves, it’s also about the moments we help create for others.”
