Diversity

The contentious policy and political battles that led to legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States were highlighted in an in-person and virtual talk by journalist and author Sasha Issenberg at Sarratt Cinema on Oct. 11, marking the 33rd anniversary of National Coming Out Day.   Read More

A virtual event to discuss the formation of a Latinx employee affinity group is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 26, at 5 p.m. CT. The meeting will be conducted over Zoom. Read More

Vanderbilt’s Inclusive Book Group will meet online Wednesday, Nov. 10, to discuss Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu. Read More

Renã A.S. Robinson, associate professor of chemistry and Dorothy J. Wingfield Phillips Chancellor Faculty Fellow, has been named president of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers. Read More

While Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month is officially celebrated in May, Vanderbilt's celebration takes place annually during the fall semester from October to early November. APIDA is a celebration honoring the history, cultural diversity and unique contributions of Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi Americans. Read More

LGBTQI History Month—a time to come together, reflect, celebrate and educate—will be observed at Vanderbilt throughout October. Events are sponsored by the Office of LGBTQI Life in partnership with others on campus. Read More

A virtual event to discuss the formation of a Disability employee affinity group is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 21, at noon CT. The meeting will be conducted via Zoom.  Read More

The Heard Libraries have acquired the papers of Rissi Palmer, an influential singer-songwriter and Apple Music host who is breaking barriers for country music artists of color. The library’s acquisition is helping Vanderbilt build a world-class archive of African American music in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music. Read More

Journalist and author Sasha Issenberg will speak at Vanderbilt Oct. 11 for a special on-campus event discussing the policy and political battles that led to legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States. Issenberg is the author of "The Engagement: America’s Quarter-Century Struggle Over Same-Sex Marriage." Read More

The next event in the ’Dores in Dialogue series, “A Conversation About the History of Hispanic Heritage Month,” will be on Friday, Oct. 8, from 11 a.m. to noon CT. Read More

The 20th Annual Levi Watkins, Jr. M.D. Lecture will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 5, at noon in Langford Auditorium. Read More

The Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences has named Felysha Jenkins as its first diversity, equity and inclusion program manager. Read More

Under the leadership of Keivan Stassun, founding director of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, the center has been recognized for its innovations in engineering research related to autism and the value of neurodiversity in the workplace. Read More

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