New report highlights a year of public impact for Vanderbilt

Research discoveries, student opportunity and strong communities all depend on relationships. Vanderbilt’s 2026 Government and Community Relations Annual Report highlights how partnerships and collaborations with policymakers, community organizations, industry leaders and educators helped advance the university’s mission throughout the past year. 

The report showcases how Vanderbilt worked with partners to strengthen communities, expand educational opportunity, advance innovation and support research. Through advocacy, community engagement and strategic partnerships at the local, state, national and international levels, the university consistently created public value while responding to a rapidly changing policy landscape.  

View the report >>

“Having a seat at the table matters,” said Nathan Green, vice chancellor for government and community relations. “By participating in the conversations that affect our communities, our state and our nation, Vanderbilt helps bring people together around issues that affect us all.” 

Vice Chancellor Nathan Green speaks during Vanderbilt’s celebration of its Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, a national recognition of the university’s commitment to community engagement. (Joe Howell)

Casey Gymrek, community relations program coordinator, speaks during an InsideOut program at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. (Joe Howell)

Vanderbilt students participate in the Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering workshop, building skills to communicate the value of research to policymakers. (Vanderbilt University)

Residents, neighborhood leaders and community stakeholders participated in open meetings that helped inform planning for Vanderbilt’s Innovation Neighborhood. (Vanderbilt University)

Highlights from the report

Among the report’s highlights are Vanderbilt’s first Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, the inaugural Vanderbilt Quantum Forum, more than $30 million in federal funding secured for university research initiatives, and continued advocacy supporting student access and the university’s research enterprise. The report also features investments in local nonprofit organizations, neighborhood partnerships and innovation initiatives that strengthen communities and support economic competitiveness across Tennessee. 

Together, this work illustrates a common approach: building relationships that help the university address complex challenges, create opportunities for collaboration and advance Vanderbilt’s mission in ways that benefit communities across the city, the state and beyond. 

“The stories in this report demonstrate how Vanderbilt creates public value by building partnerships that expand opportunity, strengthen communities, advance innovation and support the public good,” Green said.  

Explore the stories, highlights and impact featured in the 2026 Government and Community Relations Annual Report.