Student Center For Social Justice And Identity

Vanderbilt’s graduating students are encouraged to participate in this year’s graduate recognition ceremonies (GRC) for specific identity groups as part of the university’s 2024 Commencement celebrations.  Read More

First-generation college students often report feeling a lack of belonging on campus or that others don't understand what it means to be first-gen. Vanderbilt University is marking national First-Generation College Celebration Week with a series of events to provide first-gen students with an opportunity to find their community. Read More

Indigenous People's Day celebrates and highlights indigenous communities while also commemorating their histories and cultures. The Student Center for Social Justice and Identity invites you to grab a treat and celebrate indigenous people. Read More

The Banned Books Initiative, now in its second year at Vanderbilt, will recognize Banned Books Week Oct. 1–7. The events are in conjunction with Vanderbilt’s recently announced recommitment to supporting free expression and civil discourse on campus with the launch of Dialogue Vanderbilt.  Read More

Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students G.L. Black has expanded the Student Affairs leadership team to support the addition of an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion area and to enhance the work of Housing and Residential Experience.  Read More

With so many organizations and programs on campus, it can be difficult to know which ones are the best fit for you—or even where to start. We’ve got you covered! Check out this list of ways to get involved at Vanderbilt.    Read More

Vice Chancellor for Outreach, Inclusion and Belonging and Chief Diversity Officer for Vanderbilt University, André L. Churchwell hosted a discussion with faculty members about the history and importance of Juneteenth in observance of the federal holiday. In addition to the conversation, on June 16 the Black Cultural Center hosted “Juneteenth: Celebration of Freedom," Vanderbilt’s annual event celebrating the holiday. Read More

Vanderbilt University invites the community to events celebrating Juneteenth hosted by a number of campus partners. Vanderbilt recently announced that university staff will receive Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in United States, as a paid holiday beginning in 2023. Read More

Vanderbilt’s graduating seniors are encouraged to participate in this year’s Graduate Recognition Ceremonies for specific identity groups as part of the university’s 2023 Commencement celebrations. Read More

Comedian, actor and advocate Margaret Cho was the keynote speaker at Vanderbilt University’s second annual Empowerment Summit, hosted by the Student Center for Social Justice and Identity on Jan. 28. The theme of this year's event highlighted experiences within the Asian and Asian American diaspora. Read More

Vanderbilt’s Student Center for Social Justice and Identity, Bishop Johnson Black Cultural Center, Peabody College and Blair School of Music will host “Afro-ARTivism: An Evening of Art and Hip-Hop” on Thursday, Feb. 2, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the National Museum of African American Music’s Feature Gallery. The event will honor the artistic contributions of Black Vanderbilt and Nashville community members while highlighting the concept of Black Resistance, the 2023 national theme of Black History Month.  Read More

Vanderbilt’s Center for Latin American, Caribbean and Latinx Studies, Student Center for Social Justice and Identity, and Immersion Vanderbilt will host a discussion and book signing featuring Vanderbilt undergraduate student Pedro Rosales-Diaz, author of Dreams Through Shadow and Light, on Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Multicultural Community Space. Read More

Recent policies and legislation across the U.S. have made the reading and teaching of banned books even more difficult in K–12 classrooms and libraries. To help the Vanderbilt and Nashville communities navigate these changes, several offices across Vanderbilt have collaborated on a Banned Books Initiative featuring a series of events offered throughout the academic year. Read More

Join the Student Center for Social Justice and Identity on Thursday, Sept. 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Multicultural Community Space for Caribbean and Latin American food, live music, dancing and cultural activities to celebrate the start of Latin American and Hispanic Heritage Month. Read More

Chancellor Daniel Diermeier paid tribute to Vanderbilt staff’s “spirit of continual growth” and their role in advancing the university's educational mission during his remarks at the fourth annual staff assembly on May 23. Read More

Vanderbilt’s graduating seniors are encouraged to participate in this year’s Graduate Recognition Ceremonies for specific identity groups as part of the university’s 2022 Commencement celebrations. Read More

The Student Center for Social Justice and Identity invites students to attend its inaugural Empowerment Summit on Sunday, March 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Student Life Center. This year’s summit, with the theme “Create, Act, Rest and Empower (C.A.R.E.),” will feature actor and activist Kendrick Sampson for a keynote address as well as several rounds of interactive sessions on the importance of community activism and holistic wellness. Read More

The Student Center for Social Justice and Identity's iDialogues program is a 10-week educational series that creates an opportunity for both undergraduate and graduate students to engage in intergroup dialogue through the lens of social group identity, power dynamics, conflict and community. Read More

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, when Vanderbilt will shine a spotlight on some of the initiatives that help support its incredible and diverse community. Alumni, donors, friends and community members are invited to make a gift to advance belonging and help create an inclusive campus where everyone can grow to their full potential. Read More

The Student Center for Social Justice and Identity joined with campus and community partners to host a grand opening Oct. 27 of the Multicultural Community Space, an exciting new venue created for students in more than 30 student organizations that are part of the Multicultural Leadership Council or are supported by SCSJI. Read More