Melissa Gresalfi
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Vanderbilt English Language Center and Residential Colleges offer students opportunity to explore Nashville’s literary landscape
The Vanderbilt University English Language Center and Residential Colleges recently partnered for the Explore Nashville program to provide students with an enriching cultural experience connected to the Southern Festival of Books. The festival was co-presented by Vanderbilt University… Read MoreOct 30, 2025
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Pakistani delegation attends Vanderbilt Peabody College’s STEM-Powered Immersion Conference
By Jenna Somers In September, a delegation from Pakistan visited Vanderbilt University for the weeklong STEM-Powered Immersion Conference, hosted by Peabody College of education and human development. Six faculty members from Sukkur IBA University and Qasim Aslam, founder and chief executive officer of Beyond the Classroom, participated in a… Read MoreOct 9, 2025
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Founders Walk embraces new Vanderbilt students; emphasizes community, common purpose and collaboration
Founders Walk, an annual tradition at Vanderbilt that celebrates the moment that first-year, transfer and Next Steps students officially begin their journey as members of the Vanderbilt University community, took place on Aug. 17, concluding Move-In Weekend. A magical scene awaited students, with a grand entrance marked for each Commons house amid twinkling lights woven through the lawn’s elms and oaks and melodic strains from a string quartet. Read MoreAug 18, 2025
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Summer assignment for first-year students develops listening with curiosity as mechanism for engaged dialogue and community building
This summer, Vanderbilt’s incoming first-year students will take on a new challenge: learning to listen with curiosity. As part of the 2025–26 Martha Rivers Ingram Commons programming theme, “Stories that Connect Us,” students will conduct interviews during the summer with members of their communities, practicing the skills of thoughtful listening and engaged dialogue. Read MoreMar 24, 2025
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Residential Colleges is accepting applications for 2025 Faculty VUceptors
A key component of first-year student support is Vanderbilt’s six-week extended orientation program, Vanderbilt Visions. Vanderbilt Visions is co-facilitated by an upper-division peer mentor and a faculty member, called VUceptors. VUceptors support students throughout CommonVU Orientation and for the duration of the Vanderbilt Visions program. Faculty who would like to learn more about serving in the role of a faculty VUceptor are invited to an interest breakfast on Wednesday, Jan. 29, from 9 to 10 a.m. at The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons dean’s residence, located at 1235 18th Ave. S. Read MoreJan 16, 2025
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Jesse Spencer-Smith named faculty head of Sutherland House, effective Jan. 1
Vanderbilt Residential Colleges announces a new faculty head of Sutherland House on The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons. Jesse Spencer-Smith, interim director and chief data scientist at the Data Science Institute and professor of the practice of computer science, will assume the role of faculty head beginning Jan. 1, 2025. He will succeed Chezare Warren, associate professor of equity and inclusion in education policy in the Department of Leadership, Policy and Organizations, who has served as faculty head since 2021. Read MoreNov 18, 2024
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Faculty: Explore opportunities to get involved in Vanderbilt’s residential colleges at Open House on Nov. 7
Faculty who would like to learn more about serving in residential or programmatic roles within the university’s residential colleges system are invited to an open house on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons dean’s residence, located at 1235 18th Ave. S. Read MoreOct 11, 2024
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Nominate next book for Campus Reading by Oct. 4
Residential Colleges invites all Vanderbilt faculty, students and staff to nominate a book for the Campus Reading for the Class of 2029; next year’s theme is Stories that Connect Us. Read MoreSep 18, 2024
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Students begin their Vanderbilt journey with traditional Founders Walk
An annual tradition at Vanderbilt, Founders Walk celebrates the moment that first-year, transfer and Next Steps students officially begin their journey as members of the Vanderbilt University community. The celebratory procession, which took place Aug. 18, is the conclusion of Move-In Weekend. Read MoreAug 22, 2024
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Renowned climate researcher Jessica Oster appointed as New Stambaugh House faculty head
Professor Jessica Oster has been named as a faculty head of Stambaugh House, joining six other faculty members who will start in fall 2024. Oster is an associate professor of earth and environmental sciences and director of graduate studies. She was named a Chancellor Faculty Fellow in 2022 and has received a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER grant. Read MoreJun 11, 2024
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New faculty appointed to lead residential colleges
Six faculty have been appointed as residential leaders in shaping student learning experiences beyond the classroom. Dean of Residential Colleges and Residential Education Melissa Gresalfi announced the appointments for the 2024–25 academic year. Read MoreApr 29, 2024
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Campus Reading announced for 2024–25 academic year
The Campus Reading for the 2024–25 academic year will be I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times by Mónica Guzmán. The book was chosen by a committee of faculty and students and launches community-wide dialogue that begins during orientation and continues throughout the year in houses on The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons, in Vanderbilt Visions groups, and across campus. Read MoreFeb 29, 2024
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Residential Colleges is accepting applications for 2024 faculty VUceptors
Each fall Vanderbilt University admits a diverse cohort of more than 1,600 first-year undergraduate students. These students are welcomed to the Vanderbilt family with support through the transition process and a vast network of resources that can help ensure their success. Read MoreFeb 8, 2024
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Gresalfi reappointed dean of residential colleges and residential education
Melissa Gresalfi has been reappointed as Vanderbilt University’s dean of residential colleges and residential education and dean of The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons. Read MoreJan 25, 2024
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Open house for faculty interested in residential colleges set for Oct. 26
Faculty who would like to learn more about serving in residential or programmatic roles within the university’s residential colleges system are invited to an open house on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The information session will cover the significance of faculty engagement within the residential colleges system, roles available to faculty and the application process. Read MoreOct 16, 2023
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MEDIA TIP SHEET: Experts available to comment on back-to-school trends
Faculty at Vanderbilt’s Peabody College are available to comment on trends in K-12 and higher education. Read MoreJul 28, 2016
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MEDIA TIP SHEET: Education researchers available to comment on Metro Schools’ next steps
Peabody researchers can speak on a wide array of topics, including talent retention, school turnaround and administrative leadership. Read MoreJun 10, 2016
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New K-12 curriculum prepares youths for digital world
Peabody's Melissa Gresalfi is co-author of a four-book series that provides a K-12 curricular toolkit for supporting systems thinking in the digital age. Read MoreDec 12, 2014