Greetings from the University Staff Advisory Council!

April Meeting Highlights

USAC was joined by leaders from the student organizations oVRcome and Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science (VSVS), who gave an overview of the work they do to connect their classroom learning to the wider community. oVRcome provides virtual reality experiences to patients who are receiving infusion treatments for cancer diagnoses; VSVS takes inquiry-based, hands-on science lessons to elementary and middle school students in the Nashville area and provides kits to teachers in rural areas so all students can have access to high-quality educational opportunities.
Professor Kevin Galloway joined to discuss his work as Director of Making at the Wond'ry and to share about his popular course "How to Make Almost Anything and Make it Matter." The course allows students to engage in human-centered design to address real-world problems. Plan to attend the TN Maker Fest, on Saturday, September 28th, from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Wond'ry to see some final projects from students who have participated in Professor Galloway's course, as well as the creations of other makers in the Middle Tennessee area.

Last Call for Nominations!

All staff represented by USAC are assigned to one of twenty USAC groups, with representation based on the number of employees within each group. We hold elections each spring, and it is time for even-numbered groups to nominate colleagues to be a USAC representative! Use our lookup tool to see if your group is an even-numbered group and then nominate colleagues who you think will represent your interests! Nominations close at 5pm today (April 10)!

Employee Critical Support Fund

The Employee Critical Support fund provides assistance to qualifying faculty and staff who are experiencing a temporary hardship due to a significant life event. This is a valuable offering that provides employees peace of mind during times of uncertainty and demonstrates the power and values of the Vanderbilt community.

Employees are encouraged to contribute to the fund in whatever ways you can through direct one-time gifts, payroll deduction, or
the Kroger Community Rewards Program.

The Vanderbilt Staff Mentorship Program

returns for Summer '24

Here's what participants are saying:

“The benefit of VSMP was forming me to take devoted time out to prepare for meaningful conversations about my future and my professional development and then engage with someone positioned to guide me. We so rarely prioritize ourselves and I like that this program requires that and then gives you an established professional to help pour into you in ways you don’t even realize you need.” - Dr. Jeremy Bourgoin, Director of Student Accountability, Mentee

"It was helpful to me as a mentor to share my experiences and give encouragement to my mentees. We all experienced similar experiences in our careers- being that sounding board and offering recommendations was truly rewarding for me.” – Mentor

Applications are now open and due on May 13th at 11:59PM. To apply, learn more about upcoming information sessions, and other important details, visit the Vanderbilt Staff Mentorship Program webpage.

Giving Day is Tomorrow!

Get ready to make an impact! Join us tomorrow for Giving Day and seize the opportunity to make a difference in the Vanderbilt community. This year, we're thrilled to announce the Faculty & Staff Challenge. When 500 Vanderbilt Faculty & Staff generously contribute to any area of Vanderbilt, we unlock a remarkable $25,000 donation to Opportunity Vanderbilt from Suzanne and Patrick McGee. Every gift, regardless of size, helps us reach our goal and supports the incredible work happening across our campus. Mark your calendars and be a part of this extraordinary initiative! Let's show the power of our Vanderbilt community on Giving Day! You don't have to wait to make your gift – early giving is open now! Visit the Giving Day webpage for more info. Consider giving your gift to the Employee Critical Support Fund!

We will also have an exciting on-campus event from 11am-2pm on Alumni Lawn! Come join us to grab lunch at a food truck, grab a quick massage to relax, or visit the faculty/staff table to enter to win a VU engraved Stanley cup!

People, Culture and Belonging has launched the Curious Bar, a new in-person hub for employees. Located in Rand Hall in the promenade outside Room 210, the hub will pop up every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Inspired by the Apple Genius Bar, the Curious Bar will provide a dynamic approach to fostering belonging and continuous learning and innovation among members of the Vanderbilt community. No appointments are needed.

Meet a Member:

Rachel Kurilko

Lead Technical Support Specialist, VUIT

For Rachel's full feature and to connect with USAC representatives from around the university, visit our Blog.

Grow Your Career

Interested in seeing what opportunities are available across campus? Looking for a new role? Visit the Vanderbilt job board!

Vanderbilt Job Board

Share your event!

Do you have an event, activity, or resource relevant to university staff that would benefit from promotion via the USAC social media channels (Instagram, Twitter and Facebook)? Let us know!

Submit Your Info

Whether you are working from home or are back on campus, know that USAC remains committed to being a champion for staff, and our digital door is always open. Do not hesitate to share your feedback or experiences via usac@vanderbilt.edu or via our contact form.

All are welcome! USAC Meetings are held virtually from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month and are always open to staff members served by the council. Email usac@vanderbilt.edu for a Zoom link.

Vanderbilt University is committed to principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action.