Each fall, Vanderbilt University welcomes a cohort of more than 1,600 new first-year undergraduate students. As new students learn what it means to be a member of the Vanderbilt community, they participate in an extended orientation program called Vanderbilt Visions—small seminars with 18–20 students designed to support their transition to college life, foster community connection and introduce them to the wide range of resources available to support their success.
Each Visions group is facilitated by a faculty member and an upper-division peer mentor, known as VUceptors, who work together to model dynamic and meaningful faculty-student engagement. VUceptors support first-year students throughout CommonVU Orientation and during the six-week Vanderbilt Visions program.
Applications to serve as a faculty VUceptor are now open.
Anyone who holds a faculty appointment at Vanderbilt is eligible to apply. Staff members without a faculty appointment may be considered on a case-by-case basis if they hold a terminal degree in their academic field and have supervisor support. Training is provided to all faculty VUceptors, and no experience is required.
Successful faculty VUceptors typically commit two to three hours per week during the six-week program, which runs between August and October. In addition, faculty VUceptors are asked to attend a short training session in the spring and a full-day training in August. Specific time commitments are outlined in the application.
Faculty interested in learning more are invited to an informal virtual Q&A from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. on Feb. 5, 12 or 18. Interested faculty may drop in using the online link.
“Vanderbilt Visions is one of the most important ways that new students learn about how to connect with and contribute to a welcoming and inclusive community. Equally importantly, Visions is an amazing opportunity to get to know students in a context that is different from a traditional classroom,” said Melissa Gresalfi, dean of Residential Colleges. “In Visions meetings, you have an opportunity to learn about who students are, where they come from and how they hope to grow. Leading a Visions group has truly transformed my teaching and my relationship with students.”
Applications are available online, with a priority review deadline of Feb. 20.
Questions about the faculty VUceptor role? Email visions@vanderbilt.edu.
