Vanderbilt Residential Colleges has named Jeremi London faculty head of Memorial House on The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons. London, associate professor of mechanical engineering and an associate provost in the Office of Undergraduate Education, will assume the role July 1, 2026. She succeeds Celso Castilho, associate professor of history and director of the Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies, who has served as faculty head since 2021.
As faculty head of Memorial House, London will work closely with students to develop a vibrant intellectual climate where they can thrive and reach their full potential in their academic, personal and professional pursuits.
“I look forward to welcoming Jeremi as a faculty leader, knowing that she will positively shape the academic experience and intellectual growth of first-year students,” said Tiffiny Tung, vice provost for undergraduate education. “Having worked closely with Jeremi on a variety of university initiatives, I know students will benefit greatly from her scholarly expertise, mentorship and gifted ability to create a warm and welcoming environment.”
An expert in mechanical engineering and engineering education, her work has explored topics such as the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset in engineering and the impact of virtual reality in engineering education, particularly in design and construction.
London’s research has been widely recognized. She has received the NSF CAREER Award, best paper awards for her articles, and she has delivered keynote addresses at academic conferences and universities. London has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications. Vanderbilt students learn from her expertise in courses such as Thermodynamics and Probability and Statistics with Engineering Applications.
As an associate provost in the Office of Undergraduate Education, she directs the Posse Scholars Program, FirstView for first-generation students and other initiatives that broaden student academic success. Her experience in academic leadership and student success initiatives positions her to further strengthen the living-learning environment at Memorial House.
Castilho’s contributions to Memorial House over six years have helped build an intellectually engaging and supportive community for students.
“My time working in residential colleges has been transformative in understanding the university and, most importantly, in understanding the students—how they experience their highs, lows and everything in between,” Castilho said. “I’m grateful to have collaborated with the wonderful teams in Residential Colleges, Facilities and Housing and Residential Experience in Student Affairs who pour themselves into creating a unique academic-residential environment for first-year students. Long live the s’mores tradition at Memorial!”
Tung acknowledged Castilho’s positive impact on student learning experience in The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons.
“I am grateful that many cohorts of students benefited from a year with such an incredible scholar and mentor. Celso’s leadership and dedication to students in and outside the classroom are what make Vanderbilt the ideal place for students to learn, grow and find their path to contribute meaningfully to society,” Tung said.
About the faculty head role
Faculty heads are among the most exceptional faculty who creatively cultivate a vibrant intellectual climate as they integrate learning from classrooms, labs and studios into everyday life. They play a vital role in shaping the residential college experience at Vanderbilt, serving as faculty leaders who guide student-driven initiatives that promote intellectual exchange, community engagement and leadership development. Faculty heads live among students in their residential colleges and challenge and support them, so students thrive academically and beyond.
For more information about residential colleges and faculty leadership positions, visit the Residential Colleges website.
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TAGS: Residential Colleges, Office of Undergraduate Education, Posse Scholars
