Dear Vanderbilt families,
Welcome to Vanderbilt! Having been a part of the Vanderbilt community as a professor for more than 17 years, it is my pleasure to congratulate you on becoming members of our Commodore community.
In my role as vice provost for undergraduate education, I oversee the educational experience for undergraduate students, and I coordinate with the four undergraduate schools and colleges in those efforts. My Office of Undergraduate Education also oversees experiential learning inside and outside of the classroom, including two of the cornerstones of a Vanderbilt education: residential colleges and Immersion Vanderbilt. As you begin your journey, I’d like to offer more insight into these key experiences that your student will enjoy.
If you’ve visited our campus recently, you may have noticed that we are building new residential colleges. We are deeply committed to the educational model of these living-learning communities, because we understand the positive impact they have on the student experience. In addition to the deep learning that occurs in the classroom, we also know that intellectual and social growth takes place when students, faculty and staff gather to share a meal, socialize over a game, discuss a book or study together in a shared space in the residential colleges. Core to these interactions is our commitment to freedom of expression and civil discourse. This year, we are launching new programming to teach students to engage in thoughtful and productive discussions from a place of curiosity and a desire to learn, rather than a place of polarization and a rush to uninformed judgment. This focus on civil discourse will encourage students to remain open to new ideas to bring forth deeper understandings.
First-year students live in one of 10 houses on The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons, each house anchored by its unique identity. After the first year, students may apply to move to a residential college for their sophomore year and beyond. Led by faculty members who live on-site with their families, our residential colleges are designed to foster a mutually beneficial educational experience that allows students to pursue their goals within a supportive community. From the design of the physical spaces to the thoughtfully planned events and activities throughout the year, the residential colleges create environments for spontaneous and structured interactions among peers and mentors across campus.
We also believe in the positive effects of experiential learning. As a degree requirement, Immersion Vanderbilt gives every student the opportunity to indulge their intellectual curiosity through immersive experiences that are as creative and unique as the students themselves. Immersion Vanderbilt ensures that every student has the chance to integrate what they are learning inside the classroom with unique experiences that take them outside of the classroom, off campus or even around the globe. Guided by professional advisers and faculty mentors, students may explore an interest in the areas of research, community and civic engagement, professional development and engagement, innovation, design, creativity and study abroad. To learn more, please visit the Immersion Vanderbilt website.
The Office of Undergraduate Education also provides opportunities for fellowships, scholarships and community engagement, along with a wide range of academic services to our students. At Vanderbilt, we believe in a holistic approach to education, recognizing and celebrating students’ personal identities, caring for their well-being and encouraging their interests as we develop new programming and resources to support personal and academic success.
Again, welcome to the Vanderbilt family. We look forward to all that is to come for your student.
Sincerely,
Tiffiny A. Tung
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Chair in Social and Natural Sciences; Professor of Anthropology
