Meet Our Staff
The Office of Immersion Resources Staff can help draft immersion plans and connect you to cross-college immersion opportunities. Stop by the OIR in the Student Life Center or make an advising appointment with one of our Program Coordinators.
Carolyn Floyd
DirectorCarolyn Floyd is the Director of the Office of Immersion Resources. Carolyn has been at Vanderbilt since 2011, first as the Registrar and then as a Research Services Librarian and Lecturer in Law, both at Vanderbilt Law School.
carolyn.floyd@vanderbilt.edu
Brittaney Baker
Program CoordinatorBrittaney Baker is the Coordinator for the International pathway in the Office of Immersion Resources. She brings with her experience in Career Services, Post-Secondary Counseling, and Strengths-Based Youth Development.
brittaney.baker@vanderbilt.edu
Mordecai Harvey
Program CoordinatorMordecai M. Harvey is the Coordinator for the Research pathway in the Office of Immersion Resources. Mordecai previously worked as a Graduate Program Assistant for the Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program at Virginia Tech where he implemented and facilitated a Summer Research Internship Program for a diverse group of undergraduate scholars.
mordecai.m.harvey@vanderbilt.edu
Alissa McKinnon
Program CoordinatorAlissa McKinnon is the program coordinator for the Creative Expression pathway. She has previously worked in student activities and, more recently, managed a lifelong learning program at The University of Alabama in Huntsville. She is passionate about connecting all students with the tools and resources necessary for success.
alissa.a.mckinnon@vanderbilt.edu
Jack Wong
Program CoordinatorJack Wong is the Coordinator for the Civic & Professional pathway in the Office of Immersion Resources. Jack joins the Immersion team from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, where he worked to infuse public health practice into the undergraduate curriculum.
jack.j.wong@vanderbilt.eduAdministrative Assistant
Tisha Christie
M.Ed., Secondary Education and Teaching
Originally from Florida, Tisha has been at Vanderbilt since 2016, first as the Administrative Assistant for the Career Center, and now for the OIR. Prior to coming to Vanderbilt, she taught high school English. Tisha believes that education is not only in the classroom- education is preparing the whole person for the world in which we live. She is also a strong advocate for literacy- it is a right for all citizens and is the key to lifelong learning.
Tisha received her B.S. in Public Relations from the University of Florida and her M.Ed. in Secondary Education and Teaching from Cumberland University.
Student Intern
Cole Bloomfield, Class of 2021
History and Human and Organizational Development Major
From Piedmont, California Cole is a Junior studying Human and Organizational Development and History. He is interning with the Office of Immersion Resources and is excited to bring an undergraduate perspective to the development of the Immersion Vanderbilt program.
Student Workers & Ambassadors
Aidan Cohen, Class of 2022
Public Policy Studies Major
Born in Portland, Maine, Aidan is currently a sophomore who transferred into Vanderbilt in 2019. He is a Public Policy Studies major interested in the intersection between environmental sustainability and community development and has previously interned with the United States Senate and an affordable housing nonprofit organization. While new to campus, he is involved in the Local OACS: DIVE program focused on affordable housing as well as Alternative Spring Break. He is an avid runner and looks forward to further exploring his new Nashville community.
Iman Grant, Class of 2020
African-American and Diaspora Studies Major; Human and Organizational Development Minor
Born in Atlanta, Georgia. Iman is passionate about social justice and community service. She served as a part of the NAACP Community Service Board in the 2016-2017 school year. Iman is currently the Program Director of TAP Nashville, a literacy-focused mentoring program based in North Nashville. She also serves as a Student Assistant in the Vanderbilt Athletics Communications Department. Iman hopes to take a gap year after graduation to participate in the Teach For America program but plans on pursuing her J.D. afterwards. In her free time, Iman enjoys watching soccer and basketball, cooking, and listening to music. Her favorite shows are Game of Thrones and The Good Place.
Bethsy Harrigan, Class of 2022
Psychology and Medicine, Health, and Society Double Major
Born in Chattanooga, TN, but raised in a Haitian household, Bethsy loves to learn about the new cultures and their influences on campus. She has participated in two cultural showcases: ALAS’s Cafe Con Leche and CSA’s Carnival. On campus, she is the Treasurer for Students Transitioning, Relaxed and Natural Sisterhood Developing (STRANDS), a Volunteer at Park Avenue Elementary for Volunteers for Health and an Office Assistant for the Spanish and Portuguese Department. She is on the pre-medical track, pursuing medical school to become a Neonatologist. In her free time, she enjoys watching Netflix, listening to music, and hanging with friends.
Katie Hauck, Class of 2020
Psychology and English Double Major
From the Suburbs of Chicago. Katie has been using her time here at Vanderbilt to slowly explore the city of Nashville. Her favorite event to take place in Nashville is 'Shakespeare in the Park.' On campus she is involved in Inside 'Dores as well as Alternative Spring Break. After undergrad, she plans on continuing her education in law school.
Yurim Hong, Class of 2022
Psychology and Medicine, Health, and Society Double Major
Born in Korea, but raised in Bangkok, Thailand, Yurim loves to explore the food scene around her. On campus, she is a part of research, Best Buddies, and the Arts and Science College Council. In the future, she hopes to attend medical school and pursue her passion for the surgical field.
Valerie Kim, Class of 2021
Medicine, Health, and Society Major
Sarah Lopez, Class of 2022
Undeclared Major
From Charlottesville, Virginia, Sarah is currently a sophomore at Vanderbilt. On campus, she is Vice President of the all-female acappella group Swingin' Dores. She is also a member of VPAWS and CMA EDU. Her favorite part of living in Nashville is that there is music everywhere. In her free time, she likes to go to concerts, write songs, and perform around town.
Kevin Louissaint, Class of 2020
African American and Diaspora Major, Philosphy Minor
Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, but raised in Harlem, New York City. Kevin is a critical thinker that loves to coordinate events and create action plans centering community activism and social justice. He is currently a Site Leader of Students for Health Equity, a student-driven program constructed to obtain health equity and improve the health & wellness of underserved or marginalized communities in Davidson County, TN. After graduation, Kevin plans on continuing his academic career to pursue his career goal as an attorney. In his free time, he enjoys drawing, exploring musical genres, writing and performing poetry.
Asia Miller, Class of 2022
Biology Major
An Indiana Hoosier, Asia Miller is a second year student involved in microbiome research in the Bordenstein Lab. She runs the Vanderbilt Undergraduate Microbiome Society, a service-learning student organization focused on distributing fresh produce to where it’s needed most, and teaching people about the microbiome. She enjoys ceramics, writing, and daydreaming whenever possible.
Chidiogo Nwakoby, Class of 2022
Medicine, Health and Society Major
Chidiogo grew up in Enugu, Nigeria and is currently a sophomore. On campus, she serves as the President of Nilaja Amari Dance Troupe, Vanderbilt’s African dance team. She is also a Mentor for new international students and writes about her experiences at Vanderbilt in the student blog, Inside ‘Dores. Chidiogo hopes to work in global health in the future and is passionate about reducing health disparities. In her free time, she listens to a lot of Afropop music, writes poetry/short stories and reads fiction/non-fiction.
Location & Hours
| Email: | immersion@vanderbilt.edu |
| Address: | Student Life Center Suite 110 310 25th Ave South Nashville, TN 37240 |
Office Hours:
The OIR is open 8am-5pm Monday-Friday.
OIR Advising Hours:
During the academic year, the OIR is available for advising appointments from 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday.
Advisers also offer drop-in advising sessions in the Black Cultural Center Resource Room (Room 105) on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am-12pm and on the first Wednesday of the month from 3pm-5pm.
Students can view and book appointments using ImmersionHub. The schedule is updated at the beginning of each new semester. Stop by to ask questions and learn about Immersion opportunities!