Immersion Vanderbilt, now in its third year as a graduation requirement, consistently provides students with the opportunity to pursue a variety of in-depth experiences and independent projects. Students align their immersion projects with their interests—whether those are artistic, research-oriented, career-focused, globally aimed or community-engaged.
Faculty from all 10 schools and colleges support students’ goals and ambitions within immersion, and this year, that support is enhanced by a new cohort of 10 Immersion Faculty Fellows who are supported by Undergraduate Education in the Office of the Provost.
The faculty fellows are instrumental in guiding students on experiential and applied learning journeys by leveraging their expertise, insights and connections on campus, in the community and across the globe. Through directly mentoring students, the fellows help them design rich, immersive learning opportunities that are tailored to individual academic and career paths that support student growth, exploration and success.
“We are delighted to offer this opportunity to Immersion Faculty Fellows and ensure thoughtful support to students as they develop their immersion projects,” said Tiffiny Tung, vice provost for undergraduate education. “Our students benefit greatly from being mentored by these faculty fellows, often resulting in students planning goals and projects that they otherwise had not imagined for themselves.”
The faculty fellows’ areas of expertise include public policy, research on addiction, clinical applied research at VUMC, sports analytics, ethnographic studies, design of surgical robots, music performance and much more.
“Working with the student-athletes to explore their immersion interests and opportunities has been truly inspiring and great fun. I am in awe of their entrepreneurship, philanthropy, artistic talents and travel abroad experiences—just to name a few,” said Jaime Bruce, senior lecturer of medicine, health and society. “From baseball players starting small businesses, swimmers partnering with nonprofit organizations, football players filming documentaries, and soccer and basketball players studying abroad, these student-athletes do not limit their learning to the classroom. They are building skills outside the classroom that will undoubtedly take them to great heights following their time at Vanderbilt.”
Erin Calipari, associate professor of pharmacology and director of the Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, added: “The students are eager to gain hands-on learning experiences, and the commitment to their immersion projects has been a joy to see. I’ve had the privilege of working with several students in my lab, and they have been pivotal in advancing our research agenda. I look forward to helping other students collaborate with a great variety of researchers at Vanderbilt.”
The Immersion Faculty Fellows also play an essential role in reviewing hundreds of students’ grant proposals for immersion funding. Through the grant application process, students are developing critical skills in grant writing, pitching ideas to secure project support and developing realistic budgets. The faculty fellows provide feedback on those proposals, so even if a proposal is not funded, the student learns strategies to improve their grantsmanship, enhance their pitch and practice resilience as they resubmit their applications.
The 10 Immersion Faculty Fellows are also members of the broader Immersion Vanderbilt Faculty Advisory Board. This board consists of faculty from the four undergraduate schools and colleges, as well as five professional schools. In addition to the Immersion Faculty Fellows, the FAB includes Kate Clouse, associate professor at the School of Nursing; David Owens, professor for the practice of management and innovation and executive director of the Wond’ry, Vanderbilt’s Innovation Center; and Sean Seymore, Centennial Professor of Law and director of undergraduate studies for the minor in legal studies.
Many FAB members previously served on the Immersion Vanderbilt Faculty Steering Committee, which was instrumental in launching Immersion Vanderbilt. These faculty members bring valuable experience to their leadership roles, ensuring that strategic decisions about Immersion Vanderbilt align with enhancing student experiences across the university.
“The formation of the Faculty Advisory Board marks a significant advancement in enhancing the immersive learning experience at Vanderbilt,” said Carolyn Roberts, senior director of Immersion Vanderbilt. “Our faculty fellows, representing the undergraduate colleges and Basic Sciences, are dedicated to fostering an environment where students can thrive through hands-on, interactive learning. Their involvement, alongside representatives from the professional schools, will ensure a collaborative approach to enriching student learning.”
In addition to the Immersion Faculty Fellows, the provost offers faculty grants to support faculty-led immersion experiences and projects. Last academic year, 66 professors received funding through the Provost’s Faculty Grants for Immersion Vanderbilt, supporting 470 students in faculty-led immersion activities. Immersion Vanderbilt also awarded funding to nearly 700 students for immersive experiences or culminating projects.
“The Faculty Advisory Board plays a crucial role in enriching the student experience by integrating diverse academic perspectives into immersive learning,” Tung said. “Their insights and engagement will not only help shape the future of Immersion Vanderbilt, but also enhance its social impact, ensuring that our programs meet the evolving needs of our students and contribute positively to society.”
2024–25 Immersion Faculty Fellows:
- LaToya Anderson | director of field immersion and senior lecturer, Department of Teaching and Learning
- Jaime Bruce | senior lecturer of medicine, health and society
- Erin Calipari | associate professor, Department of Pharmacology; director of Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research
- Katherine Carroll | associate professor of political science; associate director of public policy studies
- Kent Dolezal | senior lecturer of economics
- Alex Jacobs | senior lecturer of culture, advocacy and leadership
- Leigh Scheer | principal senior lecturer and director of undergraduate studies, Department of Psychology and Human Development
- Claudine Taaffe | associate chair and principal senior lecturer of African American and diaspora studies
- Brian Utley | assistant dean for academic affairs; principal senior lecturer of saxophone, Blair School of Music
- Tom Withrow | assistant dean for design; professor of the practice of mechanical engineering
For more information about the faculty fellowship program and the exciting work of the fellows, visit Immersion Vanderbilt’s website.
