Rob Nelson

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

LAVA, the LGBTQIA+ Association of Vanderbilt Alumni, and the Vanderbilt Alumni Association explored the significance of a landmark Supreme Court case that ruled that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in an online ’Dores in Dialogue event June 22. Panelists also focused on the recent proliferation of legislation at the state level targeting the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Read More

Vanderbilt University students, faculty and staff gathered Feb. 24 for a virtual panel discussion that highlighted the need for empathy and action to improve the experiences of marginalized groups in the United States. Read More

Chris Purcell, director of Vanderbilt’s Office of LGBTQI Life since 2013, will leave the position Dec. 31 to become assistant dean of students at Chatham University in Pittsburgh. Rob Nelson, assistant director of LGBTQI Life, will serve as the interim director while a national search is conducted to fill the role, William H. Robinson, vice provost for academic advancement and executive director of the Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence, has announced. Read More