diversity
Acclaimed novelist Dinaw Mengestu to speak at Vanderbilt’s 2021 MLK Day commemorative event
Jan. 11, 2021—Ethiopian American novelist Dinaw Mengestu, known for his powerful and personal depictions of the immigrant experience and perspectives on the American dream, will be the keynote speaker for Vanderbilt University’s 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorative event on Monday, Jan. 18.
Noted science journalist Angela Saini to discuss her book ‘Superior: The Return of Race Science’ on Jan. 13
Jan. 7, 2021—The Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies Initiative will host award-winning British science journalist and author Angela Saini for a virtual discussion of her best-selling book, "Superior: The Return of Race Science," on Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 3:10 p.m. CT.
Institute of International Education spotlights Vanderbilt and scholar Issam Eido
Jan. 4, 2021—Vanderbilt University’s commitment to hosting threatened and displaced scholars is highlighted in a new publication by the Institute of International Education. A senior lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies is among the scholar profiled.
Vanderbilt medical student uses ‘design thinking’ to help overcome racial discrimination in health care
Dec. 18, 2020—A Vanderbilt medical student credits the strong focus on design thinking in the Medical Innovators Development Program with his leadership role in an international competition to promote racial equity in health care.
Purcell to step down as director of LGBTQI Life; Nelson named interim director
Dec. 18, 2020—Chris Purcell, director of Vanderbilt’s Office of LGBTQI Life since 2013, will leave the position Dec. 31 to become assistant dean of students at Chatham University in Pittsburgh. Rob Nelson, assistant director of LGBTQI Life, will serve as the interim director while a national search is conducted to fill the role, William H. Robinson, vice provost for academic advancement and executive director of the Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence, has announced.
Health equity’s role in pandemic response crucial
Dec. 16, 2020—In March, Vanderbilt University Medical Center leaders established a command center on campus to address the myriad issues that the Medical Center would face in the coming days, weeks and months as the COVID-19 pandemic encroached on Tennessee, then Nashville and finally on campus.
Vanderbilt alumnus named Schwarzman Scholar
Dec. 16, 2020—Bryan Stromer, BS’17, has been chosen from more than 3,600 applicants to be one of 154 Schwarzman Scholars for the Class of 2022. The Schwarzman Scholars Program is one of the world’s most prestigious graduate fellowships and was designed to bring together the best minds from around the world to study the economic, political and cultural landscape of China.
Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence and identity centers’ fall programming supports VU community
Dec. 16, 2020—Vanderbilt’s Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence and identity centers coordinated a number of initiatives and events during the fall 2020 semester to support the university community—in particular, those members with systemically nondominant identities—amid the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing social and political unrest in the country.
A Stronger Voice: As the new head of the NCAA’s inclusion efforts, Derrick Gragg aims to amplify opportunities for student-athletes
Dec. 7, 2020—Derrick Gragg, a former student-athlete on the Vanderbilt football team, is the NCAA's new senior vice president for inclusion, education and community engagement.
EDI, HR launch guidelines for Employee Affinity Groups
Dec. 7, 2020—The Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, in partnership with Human Resources, has announced a new framework to establish, manage and sustain university-supported Employee Affinity Groups, which are designed to help foster a positive work environment at Vanderbilt and support the university’s values specific to diversity, inclusion and campus engagement.
Deans’ Diversity Designates to serve as liaisons to Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence
Dec. 4, 2020—The deans of Vanderbilt’s 10 colleges and schools each have named liaisons to work directly with the Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence. These Deans’ Diversity Designates will serve as advocates for inclusive excellence as well as equity-, diversity- and inclusion-related initiatives at their respective schools and in their specific areas across the Vanderbilt campus.
Gender Affirmation Toolkit supports inclusivity for Vanderbilt employees
Dec. 3, 2020—Vanderbilt University has launched the Gender Affirmation Toolkit to reinforce its commitment to providing a safe and inclusive working environment for all employees. The toolkit was developed in collaboration with the Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Human Resources, the Equal Opportunity and Access Office, the Office of LGBTQI Life and other campus partners.