Meet the Staff

Nora Spencer, Director

In July 2009, Nora Spencer was appointed as director of the Women’s Center, expanding her responsibilities which also include serving as the first director for the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Life. Prior to coming to Vanderbilt, Nora was the Assistant Director for Multicultural and Diversity Affairs and the Director of LGBT Affairs at the University of Florida, where she held other administrative duties as part of the Dean of Students staff.  Nora has also served as the Director of Education and Training for Planned Parenthood of Nebraska-Council Bluffs.  A long-time community educator and advocate, Nora has volunteered in a variety of capacities, including a sexual assault victims’ advocate, a Spanish interpreter, and a board member for several community agencies. Nora holds a B.A. in English from Creighton University and an M.F.A. in creative writing from the University of Florida. In addition to her work in topics of women, gender, sexuality, and feminism, Nora has taught literature, creative writing, rhetoric, composition, queer theory, cultural criticism, and English as a Second Language.

To contact Nora, email: nora.spencer@vanderbilt.edu

Kayce Matthews, Associate Director

Kayce Matthews joined Vanderbilt after three years as the Director of Education & Training for Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee. Prior to her director position, Kayce spent three years as the coordinator of the PG-13 Players, dedicating her time to a peer education theatre troupe that focuses on empowering youth to educate their peers around issues of sexuality and sexual health. In addition to her role as a sexuality educator and trainer, Kayce has served as an advocate for victim/survivors of domestic and sexual violence with the AmeriCorps Victim Assistance program in Nashua, NH, and completed her practicum with the Domestic Violence Unit of the Metro Nashville Police Department. On a personal note, Kayce is the proud mother of Logan, her two year old son. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, theatre, reading, and running. Kayce holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from Trevecca University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Stephens College.

To contact Kayce, email: kayce.matthews@vanderbilt.eduBridget Copes, Program Coordinator

Bridget Copes, Program Coordinator

Bridget Copes joins the Women’s Center from St. Louis, Missouri, where she earned her Master of Social Work in Health & Organizational Development from Washington University’s Brown School of Social Work and Public Health. During her time in the Show-Me State, Bridget completed practica in medical social work with Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center and in sexual violence prevention evaluation with WashU’s office of Student Involvement and Leadership. Prior to graduate school, Bridget served with Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest at a daytime drop-in shelter for adults experiencing homelessness in Tacoma, WA. She later moved to Washington, D.C. to work on the development team of Women’s Campaign Fund, a non-profit and affiliated political action committee committed to increasing women’s political representation. While in D.C., she joined fem*ex, a community-based organization dedicated to women’s sexual empowerment. Her experiences with fem*ex inspired her to continue spreading the personal and public health benefits of sex-positive sexual health education. Bridget holds a BA in English from Georgetown University. She loves cheering on Hoya basketball, playing trumpet, and exploring cities by bike.

To email Bridget, email bridget.copes@vanderbilt.edu

Wanda Swan, Program Coordinator

Wanda Swan hails from the “Hospitality State” of Mississippi and joins the Center after working as a program coordinator, prevention trainer, and grant writer for Mississippi State University’s Department of Relationship Violence and Outreach. An alum of the university, she received her Undergraduate degree in Broadcast Communications with a minor in Theatre and Graduate degree in Teaching English as a Second Language with a minor in Gender Studies. Wanda finds herself right at home with a Center dedicated to the personal safety of others and has been embedded in the Violence Prevention Movement in Higher Education for over five years. She takes special interest in topics related to the intersections of social media with race, gender, and culture and is excited by the opportunity to serve the Vanderbilt community.

To contact Wanda, email wanda.swan@vanderbilt.edu

Terrie Barrow, Administrative Assistant

Terrie Barrow, our administrative assistant, comes to the Women’s Center from the Dean of Students Office at Vanderbilt, where she was the receptionist. She has had many fascinating careers, including professional ballroom dance teacher, process technician at a chemical plant, and a professional baker and cook. Terrie is most proud of being a stay-at-home mom for ten years to her two sons, Ethan, 15, and Noah,13. She is also an active member and volunteer for Gilda’s Club Nashville. Terrie enjoys being at home with her husband Richard, kids, cats, and chickens; she and her family are interested in urban farming and living sustainably.

To contact Terrie, email: theresa.o.barrow@vanderbilt.edu

Charlotte McLoud, Graduate Assistant

The Women’s Center is excited to welcome Charlotte McLoud as our Graduate Assistant for this academic calendar. Prior to coming to the Women’s Center, Charlotte earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Fisk University in 2011. After graduation, Charlotte began working at her alma mater as a program assistant to Fisk’s first living-learning community, The First Year Experience, and the advisor to the Residence Hall Association. She is now studying to receive her Masters in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt’s Peabody College. During her matriculation at Fisk, Charlotte was extremely involved in campus life as a Resident Assistant, Student Ambassador, Student Government Association Chief of Staff, Women of Perfection Mentor, and many other student organizations.

To contact Charlotte, email: charlotte.mcloud@vanderbilt.edu

Malina Halman, Kitchen Table Series Intern

Malina Halman is a senior in the College of Arts & Science. She is double majoring in medicine, health, and society and women and gender studies. She is on the Vanderbilt CARES Executive Board, a member of Vanderbilt University Theatre, and the choreographer for Vanderbilt Off-Broadway. Her research interests include Black feminism, men’s health, mental health, LGBTQI* studies, HIV/AIDS, and sex workers around the world.  Having spent most of her life in Middle Tennessee and around the Nashville/Vanderbilt area, Malina loves her city and anything Black and Gold!