When teachers have the right tools and students feel supported, classrooms can thrive. That’s the goal of Vanderbilt’s work with PENCIL, a local nonprofit that links public schools with community partners and volunteers.
With 81,000 students back in Metro Nashville Public Schools classrooms, Vanderbilt Community Relations is working with PENCIL to ensure teachers have what they need and students start strong, continuing a partnership that has supported Nashville schools for years.
A shared commitment to K–12 education
Over the summer, Vanderbilt volunteers across campus came together to prepare MNPS students for the first day of school. Together, they packed 10,000 backpacks and 6,000 pencil pouches, ensuring thousands of students across the city started the year ready to learn. The effort, led by PENCIL in collaboration with Vanderbilt Athletics and Vanderbilt Football, was a meaningful reminder of how collaboration can drive real impact.
PENCIL’s work is part of Vanderbilt’s broader investment in Nashville schools. The nonprofit engages partners like Vanderbilt faculty, staff and students in programs such as career mentoring, faculty appreciation, field trip hosting, first day of school guides and reading mentoring, all designed to meet educator and student needs.
“This summer's backpack build project was the latest example of Vanderbilt University's thoughtful, long-standing support of PENCIL’s mission. We are truly grateful for Vanderbilt's partnership in linking community resources to Metro Nashville Public Schools, and we share their commitment to helping our young learners thrive and achieve academic success,” said Christiane Buggs, MEd’14, President & CEO of PENCIL.
Vanderbilt and Metro Nashville Public Schools
Beyond its work with PENCIL, Vanderbilt supports a wide range of K–12 programs, with the university’s MNPS collaborations spanning Davidson County. Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, brings hands-on STEM lessons into MNPS classrooms. The School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt partners with Metro students on research projects that connect classroom learning to the community, most recently unearthing Nashville’s history through archaeology.
The Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory hosts STEAM expeditions for MNPS students, offering hands-on activities aligned with academic standards and opportunities to experience the observatory's unique exhibits and offerings.
These collaborations reflect Vanderbilt’s commitment to meaningful engagement with community partners. By aligning expertise and resources with community need, Vanderbilt helps amplify the efforts of MNPS educators and school leaders.
Get Connected
Vanderbilt has expanded how students, faculty and staff engage with the Nashville community through the new Get Connected platform. The online hub makes it easy to browse volunteer opportunities, track involvement and discover ways to support local organizations, including partners like PENCIL.
- To find the latest volunteer opportunities, members of the Vanderbilt community can visit vu.edu/getconnected and log in using VUnetID.
- To learn more about Vanderbilt’s work with Metro Nashville Public Schools, visit the Vanderbilt in the Nashville Community webpage.