Diversity

Hispanic Heritage Month, recognized annually from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, honors the history, cultural diversity and unique contributions of individuals and communities whose ancestry can be traced to Spain, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Vanderbilt students, faculty and staff will recognize the month with a series of programs and events. Read More

Three Vanderbilt health care leaders—André L. Churchwell, C. Buddy Creech and Consuelo H. Wilkins—have been recognized by the "Nashville Business Journal" with 2021 Health Care Innovation Awards. The awards “honor those who pushed the region’s signature industry forward and helped protect their communities in uncertain times.” Read More

Diverse ’Dores Day is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 9, from noon to 4 p.m. The event is open to all Vanderbilt students, staff, faculty and postdoctoral scholars. Read More

Vereen M. Bell, a professor of English, emeritus, who had a transformational influence on countless students, challenged institutional structures and pushed for greater diversity at Vanderbilt, died Aug. 24 at home in Nashville. He was 86 years old. Read More

Brianna Nesbitt has been named interim director of LGBTQI Life, effective Sept. 1. Nesbitt, who also serves as assistant director of the Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center, is a committed student advocate with an extensive background in higher education. The Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Human Resources recently relaunched the nationwide search for a new director of LGBTQI Life. Read More

Digna R. Velez Edwards, Julie Rhoades (Sterling) and Henrique Serezani comprise the new leadership team for the Vanderbilt School of Medicine Basic Sciences' Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity. IMSD recruits and supports biomedical trainees from backgrounds underrepresented in science during their graduate careers. Read More

Moira Poe, a highly respected admissions leader with a passion for increasing higher education accessibility and affordability for scholars of diverse backgrounds and experiences, has been named executive director of undergraduate admissions. Read More

Dawn Aycock, associate professor and director of the nursing Ph.D. program at Georgia State University's Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions, will discuss “Addressing Primary Stroke Prevention in African Americans” on Thursday, Aug. 26, at noon in the Nursing Annex, Room 155. The in-person lecture is free and open to the Vanderbilt community. Read More

Three leaders of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center community are among the winners of the Nashville Business Journal’s 2021 Health Care Innovation awards. Read More

Professor Celso Castilho will lead the Center for Latin American Studies with a vision to expand its research agenda to include Latinx studies, increase engagement with the local Latinx community and establish Vanderbilt University as a thought leader in the study of Latinos in the South. Read More

Nominations are now being sought for the annual Levi Watkins, Jr. Faculty Award and Levi Watkins, Jr. Student Awards. The 20th Annual Levi Watkins, Jr. M.D. Lecture will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 5. Read More

Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer André L. Churchwell reflects on the recent merger of the Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence with the Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as a way of broadening and deepening Vanderbilt’s resources for fostering a welcoming and supportive culture across campus. To subscribe to the monthly "Inclusive Connector" newsletter, visit vanderbilt.edu/diversity/stay-informed. Read More

The Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence has joined forces with the Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in a move to broaden and deepen Vanderbilt’s resources for fostering a welcoming and supportive culture. In addition, the Office for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness, or PIE, will become part of the Office of the Chancellor after previously reporting to the provost. Read More

Vanderbilt Divinity School and the College of Arts and Science will honor one of the university's most revered alumni with the launch of the James Lawson Institute for the Research and Study of Nonviolent Movements. Read More

Vanderbilt University will join with many community partners to pay tribute to the life and Nashville legacy of Rep. John Lewis on July 16 and 17 with the formal dedication of Rep. John Lewis Way and a public celebration at Ryman Auditorium. Read More

Chancellor Daniel Diermeier has reaffirmed Vanderbilt’s commitment to improving access to higher education in partnership with the American Talent Initiative, an alliance that aims to enroll, support and graduate 50,000 more lower-income students at top colleges and universities by 2025. Read More

Raver, an esteemed developmental psychologist who began her tenure as Vanderbilt’s provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs on July 1, 2021, talks with Vanderbilt Magazine about her path into higher education leadership and her aspirations to leverage the university's strengths to help solve the major challenges of today and those facing future generations. Read More

Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion André L. Churchwell reflect on the one-year anniversary of the university's pledge to accelerate its work to make Vanderbilt a more diverse and inclusive community in which every member can thrive. Read More

Belinda ’Otukolo Saltiban, a seasoned higher education professional with extensive experience leading diversity and inclusion efforts in support of professional development and student success, has been named associate vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion at Vanderbilt University. Read More

A new community space for multicultural student organizations and their leaders to gather will open on campus this fall, the Office of the Dean of Students and the Student Center for Social Justice and Identity have announced. The Multicultural Community Space also will serve as an additional location for events, programming and storage for these groups. Read More