William H. Robinson

The Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt

Kick off Black History Month with virtual celebration Feb. 1

Jan. 29, 2021—The Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center is partnering with student organizations and campus leaders to celebrate the start of Black History Month on Monday, Feb. 1.

Purcell to step down as director of LGBTQI Life; Nelson named interim director

Dec. 18, 2020—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.

photo of a path near Kirkland Hall at sunset

Deans’ Diversity Designates to serve as liaisons to Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence

Dec. 4, 2020—The deans of Vanderbilt’s 10 colleges and schools each have named liaisons to work directly with the Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence. These Deans’ Diversity Designates will serve as advocates for inclusive excellence as well as equity-, diversity- and inclusion-related initiatives at their respective schools and in their specific areas across the Vanderbilt campus.

‘A Conversation on Eliminating Racial Disparities in Public Safety’ set for Dec. 2

Nov. 29, 2020—Vice Chancellor André Churchwell, Vice Provost William H. Robinson and Senior Associate Vice Chancellor August Washington will discuss Vanderbilt University's role in eliminating racial disparities in public safety in an online event on Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Vanderbilt announces University Diversity Council members for 2020–21

Oct. 28, 2020—Vanderbilt University has announced the University Diversity Council members for 2020-21. Formed last year, the council advocates for equity, diversity and inclusion across all areas of Vanderbilt.

Ellis named director of Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence

Oct. 21, 2020—Franklin Ellis Jr. has been named director of the Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence (OIE), Vice Provost for Academic Advancement and Executive Director of OIE William H. Robinson has announced.

Vice Provost for Academic Advancement and Executive Director of the Provost's Office for Inclusive Excellence William H. Robinson (Vanderbilt University)

Robinson named vice provost for academic advancement, executive director of Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence

Jun. 3, 2020—Interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente today announced the appointment of William H. Robinson as Vanderbilt’s vice provost for academic advancement and executive director of the Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence.

Aerial drone images of Vanderbilt main campus and Downtown Nashville. (John Russell/Vanderbilt University)

Series of listening sessions on racial injustice scheduled for this week

Jun. 1, 2020—In the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer and subsequent protests for racial justice in a number of cities, the university will host a series of listening sessions for students, staff, faculty and postdoctoral scholars.

OIE identity Centers (Vanderbilt University)

Identity centers offer adjusted resources and support for VU community in response to COVID-19

Apr. 20, 2020—The Provost's Office for Inclusive Excellence, through its identity centers, has continued to promote academic success, cultural and professional education, and inclusivity and belonging for the Vanderbilt community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 MLK Day March in Nashville starting at Jefferson Street and finishing at TSU’s Gentry Center. Vanderbilt students, faculty, staff, and administrators took part in the event commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. (Vanderbilt University/Joe Howell)

2020 MLK Commemorative Series explores the ability of storytelling to connect

Jan. 22, 2020—Vanderbilt students, faculty, staff and postdoctoral fellows honored the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. through programs, lectures, interactive teach-ins, community service projects and more as part of the university’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Series.

Participants at the unconscious bias train-the-trainer workshop (John Russell/Vanderbilt University)

University launches new series of unconscious bias workshops

Nov. 22, 2019—In support of Vanderbilt’s ongoing commitment to fostering a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion on campus, the university has announced a new series of educational workshops on unconscious bias. The workshops are customized to meet the unique needs of and issues affecting the Vanderbilt community.

16 individuals from across the university participated in an unconscious bias train-the-trainer workshop over four days at Scarritt Bennet Center (John Russell/Vanderbilt University)

Staff and faculty from across VU participate in four-day unconscious bias workshop

Oct. 18, 2019—The Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and the provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence hosted an intensive, four-day unconscious bias workshop for 16 faculty and staff members, equipping them to support others in fostering a culture of care, respect, inclusion and belonging at Vanderbilt.