Vanderbilt’s membership in the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities: Benefits for faculty, staff and students

 

In January 2024, Vanderbilt joined the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities, reinforcing its commitment to engaging the Nashville community and to learning and promoting best practices for addressing the unique opportunities and challenges in our metropolitan environment.

Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities logo

With approximately 120 member institutions, CUMU is dedicated to knowledge-sharing among colleges and universities in urban settings, with the goal of strengthening the impact of higher education in their home cities and regions. As part of this coalition, Vanderbilt is at the forefront of a movement and community of anchor institutions addressing pressing issues like health disparities and educational equity.

Benefits of CUMU membership
Vanderbilt's membership in CUMU offers ongoing opportunities for all faculty, staff and students. Through this membership, the Vanderbilt community can access a network of peer-learning circles, webinars, and community engagement-related content and scholarship. To stay informed about future programming, anyone with a Vanderbilt email address can sign up for CUMU’s newsletter.

Group photo of Jill Stratton, Kathleen Fuchs Hritz, Leah Lowe, Casey Gymrek, Jaclyn Mothupi and Rachel Thompson at the 2024 CUMU Annual Conference.
Left to right: Jill Stratton, Kathleen Fuchs Hritz, Leah Lowe, Casey Gymrek, Jaclyn Mothupi and Rachel Thompson at the 2024 CUMU Annual Conference.

Annual conferences and events: Last October, six Vanderbilt representatives attended the "Beyond Boundaries" conference in Minneapolis, connecting with peers from other universities to share ideas and strategies. Looking ahead, the 2025 Annual Conference will take place in Baltimore, Maryland, Oct. 26–29, 2025.

CUMU Huddles: Faculty and staff can partake in these virtual round-table discussions to share insights and develop initiatives tailored to urban university interests. Topics for the 2025 Huddles include community-engaged research, Latine student communities, strategic communications and sustainability. Huddles begin Jan. 22. To learn more and register, visit the CUMU website.

Academic exchange: Faculty and staff can also contribute to the Metropolitan Universities journal, allowing Vanderbilt's research and innovative practices to gain visibility and influence.

Professional development: Access webinars and workshops designed to build skills and knowledge relevant to urban community engagement. Registering for the CUMU newsletter is the best way to stay updated on upcoming opportunities.

Get involved
The Division of Government and Community Relations serves as Vanderbilt's liaison to CUMU. For any questions regarding Vanderbilt’s membership or how to get involved, contact Kathleen Fuchs Hritz.


Watch the 2025 CUMU Open House

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