This summer, Vanderbilt’s incoming first-year students will take on a new challenge: learning to listen with curiosity. As part of the 2025–26 Martha Rivers Ingram Commons programming theme, “Stories that Connect Us,” students will conduct interviews during the summer with members of their communities, practicing the skills of thoughtful listening and engaged dialogue.
In past years students shared a common summer reading. This year the focus shifts to conversation—learning to ask meaningful questions, listen with intent and reflect on different perspectives.
“At Vanderbilt, we believe meaningful dialogue is at the heart of an intellectually rigorous and connected community,” said C. Cybele Raver, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “This new summer assignment encourages our students to come prepared by beginning to learn how to ask good questions, to listen deeply and to challenge their own previously held assumptions.”
Designed by faculty, members of the provost team, and members of the Dialogue Vanderbilt team, the summer assignment will help students develop key communication skills. Through interviewing, listening and reflecting, students will learn how to encourage others to share their stories—an experience that may deepen curiosity and even challenge assumptions.
“The Dialogue Vanderbilt initiative equips students with tools for constructive conversation,” said Darren Reisberg, vice chancellor for administration. “We’re excited to support this assignment and provide students with these skills from the start of their Vanderbilt journey.”
Students will begin by exploring the art and science of interviewing, drawing insights from journalism, ethnography, communication studies and education. They’ll also watch recorded examples from university leaders before selecting someone in their community to interview—someone with an interesting story or a different perspective. Throughout the process, students will document their experiences and reflect on what they learn. Their insights will serve as a foundation for continued conversations during orientation and in Vanderbilt Visions, a mandatory six-week program that creates the chance for groups of new students to discover college life together.
“The first-year assignment is an opportunity to find common ground,” said Melissa Gresalfi, dean of residential colleges and residential education. “Our incoming class brings an incredible range of experiences. This shared experience of storytelling and reflection helps us begin building our own community from day one.”
Incoming first-year students will receive detailed instructions from Dean Gresalfi in June, and completed projects are due by Aug. 11. Questions can be sent to summer.assignment@vanderbilt.edu.
