Peabody College

Growing up with an intellectually disabled sibling has challenges, but there are powerful benefits as well—both immediate and lifelong—as revealed by a recent study by Assistant Professor Jessika Boles and two co-authors. The study, published in Research in Developmental Disabilities, collected information from siblings through a survey and online interviews. Boles and her co-authors brought their lived experience to the research; they all have younger siblings with IDD. And Boles has extended her knowledge to helping others; she is faculty director of the Vanderbilt chapter of SibShops—a regular gathering of young people who have siblings with disabilities. Read More

As a middle school math teacher on Chicago’s South Side, Chezare A. Warren, now associate professor of leadership, policy and organizations at Peabody College and principal investigator of The Possibilities Project, noticed something interesting. Read More

By Jennifer Kiilerich In Vanderbilt’s Magnolia Makerspace on a breezy April morning, the school year was winding down for Roberts Academy for Dyslexia fourth and fifth graders. It was a time of year when young learners might be daydreaming about summer vacations and pool days. But that Tuesday, all… Read More

In a groundbreaking study published recently in the journal Nature, researchers at Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt Health have created the first growth charts for white matter in the brain over a human lifetime. The work brings together nearly two decades of Vanderbilt research collaborations, the university’s extensive MRI data collections, and an advanced AI-enabled computing platform. Read More

By Jennifer Kiilerich Imagine applying to a support service that turns down 66 percent of first-time applicants. Then imagine navigating that—a process which can involve multiple attempts, forms, taking time off work for meetings, and more—in English when it may not be your first language. That experience is the reality… Read More

By Jenna Somers Educators and researchers around the world, especially in countries with limited resources, need cost-effective, scalable tools for assessing early child development. Direct assessments, a commonly used approach, require children to complete a range of activities that measure academic, physical and social-emotional skills. These assessments paint a nuanced… Read More

By Jennifer Kiilerich Tatiana Peredo Tatiana Peredo, research assistant professor of special education at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development, has been selected for a Fulbright U.S. Scholar award to Chile for the 2026–27 academic year. It is Peredo’s second time receiving the renowned federal award,… Read More

By Jennifer Kiilerich Nicole Joseph The prestigious Mathematical Association of America’s Mary P. Dolciani Award celebrates outstanding contributions in mathematics education and typically goes to mathematicians. But this year, Vanderbilt Peabody College scholar Nicole Joseph shifted the norm. An associate professor of teaching and learning, she will… Read More

Lamar Alexander, BA’62, continues a six-decade journey on the path of public service, one that famously began with a thousand-mile trek across Tennessee in his signature red-and-black plaid shirt. However, for the Vanderbilt community, his legacy is rooted even deeper—stretching back to his days as an undergraduate, serving as editor of The Vanderbilt Hustler and a key student voice of support for racial integration at the university. Soon, a variety of activities led by the university will allow the broader community to learn more about his storied history and engage with the former Tennessee governor and U.S. senator. Read More

By Jennifer Kiilerich In an outpatient waiting room at the Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, occupational therapist Kevin Durney noticed a problem: the space where children and families spent time before appointments felt sterile, with nothing to do that reflected the kids who sat there. He wanted to… Read More

By Jenna Somers Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development has long distinguished itself by putting innovative scholarship into practice, often through research-practice partnerships, community outreach and sharing evidence-based resources with practitioners. Peabody alumni do this, too, applying lessons learned at Peabody to careers in education, non-profit leadership,… Read More

By Jennifer Kiilerich Molly Anne Thompson Murfreesboro, Tennessee, residents Dr. Roy and Margrey Thompson are skilled at finding laughter amidst difficulties. Each of their three children faced unique learning differences, and the couple often had to fight to get them the support they needed in school. Now, years after launching… Read More

Fifty retiring faculty members were honored on May 8 for their years of service with the title of emerita or emeritus Read More

Bryson McGuire (left) and Chezare Warren (right) at the Tennessee State Capitol, April 13, 2026 Two faculty members of Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development were honored at the Tennessee State Capitol on April 13, 2026. Chezare A. Warren and Bryson McGuire were recognized as… Read More

See the powerful challenge bestselling author and happiness researcher Arthur Brooks gives that could make our lives more meaningful. Highlights from Graduates Day 2026 Read More

Learn about the outstanding graduates chosen as each school's Founder's Medalist recipients for the Class of 2026 Read More

The Tennessee Education Research Alliance’s assessment of Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation’s K-3 Home Library program and Raising Readers Nashville’s after-school reading program will help partner organizations strengthen early literacy. By Jenna Somers The Tennessee Education Research Alliance has begun evaluation studies of early grade literacy programs serving Tennessee’s public-school… Read More