Government And Community Relations

Estonia’s Ambassador to the United States, Kristjan Prikk, engaged students at Vanderbilt on Oct. 2 during a lively classroom discussion on the future of European security and democracy. The event, hosted by the Max Kade Center for European and German Studies, was part of Visiting Associate Professor Alexander Schmidt’s European Cultural History course. Read More

Nearly 100 community members gathered outside of MLK Academic Magnet School, formerly Pearl High School, to celebrate Ridley’s legacy. Funded by Vanderbilt Athletics, the Metro Historical Commission marker was the latest expression of Vanderbilt’s support for the North Nashville neighborhood around Pearl High. Alumni Perry Wallace and Walter Murray, valedictorian and salutatorian of the segregated high school’s class of 1966, went on to have pioneering careers as students at Vanderbilt. Read More

The walls of Salama Urban Ministries came alive with color and meaning as students unveiled a new mural they had helped to create. Gathered with families, teachers and community members, the students pointed proudly to each vibrant panel, sharing stories of how the images reflected their identities and experiences. Read More

Since the start of the academic year, Vanderbilt has witnessed a rush of “Moments That Matter”—from surpassing giving goals ahead of schedule to an exhilarating football victory over Alabama. Contributing to these hallmark moments are Vanderbilt staff, a theme that speakers reflected on throughout the 2024 Fall Staff Assembly. On Thursday, Nov. 14, more than 570 staff members packed the room at the Student Life Center for the event, which was also livestreamed for a virtual audience. Read More

Krish Roy, Bruce and Bridgitt Evans Dean of the School of Engineering, recently engaged in a leadership roundtable in Washington, D.C. with NIH Director Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli. Hosted by United for Medical Research (UMR), the forum addressed critical issues in biomedical research funding and efforts to secure sustained federal investments in this vital area. Read More

As the November 5 general election approaches, it’s important to know what’s on the ballot and how the decisions made at the polls will impact our community and beyond. Here’s everything you need to know about the candidates and issues on the ballot so you can make informed choices on Election Day. Read More

Vanderbilt encourages the entire campus community to participate in the upcoming November 5 general election. With the voter registration deadline approaching, students, faculty and staff can take advantage of several voter registration and educational events coming up. Read More

From exploring the intricacies of American folk music to delving into the art of memoir writing, there’s something for everyone eager to learn and connect with an inclusive community of learners. OLLI at Vanderbilt is open to all who are 50 and older. Registration for fall 2024 classes is open Aug. 26–Sept. 27; classes for the fall term begin on Oct. 6.  Read More

Vanderbilt University recently welcomed Javier Díaz de León, consul general of Mexico in Atlanta, for a campus visit. Organized by the Division of Government and Community Relations, the event forged meaningful connections between the consulate and the university.  Read More

A new partnership between the government of Québec and Vanderbilt University will bolster opportunities for academic and cultural exchange involving the Canadian province and the Nashville institution. The collaboration was announced June 18 at an event celebrating Québec’s deep ties to Middle Tennessee that also served as an early observance of la Fête nationale du Québec—Québec’s annual national day. Read More

In celebration of Juneteenth, a new mural honoring Black country music artists was unveiled on June 19 at the site of the former Vanderbilt Printing Services building. The mural, created by local artist Elisheba Israel Mrozik, draws inspiration from stories and history featured in Vanderbilt professor and award-winning songwriter Alice Randall’s latest book, My Black Country. Read More

Summer in Nashville is the perfect time to explore the city’s dynamic cultural scene. Vanderbilt University is proud to support numerous nonprofit and community organizations that provide activities and events throughout the season. From lively music festivals to bustling art markets, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.  Read More

ON THE HILL is a biannual report produced by the Division of Government and Community Relations summarizing activity at all three levels of government, as outlined by the Vanderbilt Federal Relations, State Government Relations and Local Government Relations teams. Read More

The gathering, centered around open discussion with Mayor Freddie O’Connell regarding the “Choose How You Move” transportation plan, was held Monday, May 20, in collaboration with Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Moving Forward. Read More

Vanderbilt recently hosted a landmark event, Competitiveness Conversations Across America: Tennessee, in collaboration with the Council on Competitiveness and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The gathering brought together key leaders and experts from academia, industry and government to explore strategies for positioning Tennessee as a leader in innovation and competitiveness on a regional, national and global scale.  Read More

Vanderbilt and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center concluded their 2023-2024 InsideOut series with an impactful event showcasing The Color Purple on Apr. 12. InsideOut is a free community learning program sponsored by Vanderbilt, which celebrated 21 years of partnership with TPAC in February. Read More

April is the one-year anniversary of Vanderbilt joining the STARS College Network, a collaboration of public and private universities collaborating to create educational pathways for students. Read More

On National Humanities Alliance’s advocacy day in D.C., through a series of meetings and a social media campaign, Vanderbilt students advocated for federal funding to support the National Endowment for the Humanities. This effort was part of the Robert Penn Warren Center’s Humanities in the Real World: Undergraduate Advocacy Fellowship in collaboration with Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations.  Read More

Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory welcomes astronomy enthusiasts to its 2024 season, marked this year by the unveiling of a new logo. Read More

Krish Roy, Bruce and Bridgitt Evans Dean of the School of Engineering and University Distinguished Professor, met with members of Congress in early February to discuss the importance of engineering’s role in improving living standards, socioeconomic growth and global competitiveness. Read More