Meet Our Staff
Questions about Immersion Vanderbilt?
We are here to help!
The Office of Experiential Learning and Immersion Vanderbilt (EL&IV) staff can help you draft an Immersion Vanderbilt plan and connect you to cross-college opportunities.
Brittaney Baker
Assistant Director of Equity and Immersion VanderbiltBrittaney Baker is Assistant Director for Equity & Immersion Vanderbilt in the Office of Experiential Learning and Immersion Vanderbilt. She brings with her experience in Career Services, Post-Secondary Counseling, and Strengths-Based Youth Development.
Brittaney.Baker@Vanderbilt.edu
Tisha Christie
Administrative AssistantTisha is an Administrative Assistant for the Office of Experiential Learning and Immersion Vanderbilt. Originally from Florida, she has been at Vanderbilt since 2016. A first-generation college student, Tisha received her B.S. in Public Relations from the University of Florida and her M.Ed. from Cumberland University.
Tisha.L.Christie@Vanderbilt.Edu
Carolyn Floyd
Senior DirectorCarolyn Floyd is the Senior Director of the Office of Experiential Learning and Immersion Vanderbilt. 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
Carmeisha Huckleby
Associate Director for Study AbroadCarmeisha Huckleby is the Associate Director for Study Abroad in the Office of Experiential Learning and Immersion Vanderbilt. Carmeisha is an alumna of Michigan State University where she earned a B.A. in Japanese, M.A. in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education, and a Certificate of Teaching and Learning in Postsecondary Education. During her undergraduate years, she studied abroad in Japan and Ghana.
Carmeisha.Huckleby@Vanderbilt.edu
Jillian Madden
Study Abroad AdviserJillian serves as a Study Abroad Adviser in the Office of Experiential Learning and Immersion Vanderbilt. She received her dual B.A. from the University of Kentucky in International Studies and Japan Studies, and received her M.A. in Global Development from the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce.
jillian.madden@vanderbilt.edu
Sharon Manlove
Administrative AssistantSharon is a Nashville native. She has been with Vanderbilt since 2001. With over twenty years of administrative assistance experience, she is now using that skill in the Global Education Office. Sharon enjoys vicariously traveling the world through the experiences of our students, and hopes to be abroad herself one day.
sharon.manlove@vanderbilt.edu
Caroline Nikolaus
Study Abroad AdviserCaroline is a Third Culture Kid (TCK) who grew up in Japan, the USA, and Germany. She has visited around fifty countries over five continents. Caroline has a BS in Psychology with a music minor from Abilene Christian University.
caroline.nikolaus@vanderbilt.edu
Zachary Schwarzkopf
Student AdviserZachary Schwarzkopf is a Student Advisor for the Office of Experiential Learning and Immersion at Vanderbilt. He is a queer first-generation college student that earned his B.A. in Diversity & Community Studies from Western Kentucky University.
zachary.schwarzkopf@vanderbilt.edu
Tyler Walker
Senior Study Abroad AdviserTyler hails from the sunshine state of Florida, and earned her B.A. in East Asian Languages and Cultures with a minor in Global Communication at the University of Southern California.
tyler.m.walker@vanderbilt.edu
Yuanqi (Suzy) Wang
Assistant Director for Experiential LearningAs Assistant Director for Experiential Learning, Suzy leads the study abroad team to facilitate global learning through immersive experiences. Since joining the office in 2014, Suzy has held a number roles supporting students and faculty with their global endeavors, and has most recently focused on experiential learning.
yuanqi.wang@vanderbilt.edu
Alissa McKinnon West
Assistant Director of Programming, Funding and AssessmentAlissa McKinnon West is Assistant Director for Programming, Funding, and Assessment in the Office of Experiential Learning and Immersion Vanderbilt (EL&IV). She has previously advised students as the creative expression pathway program coordinator for Immersion Vanderbilt.
Alissa.M.West@Vanderbilt.eduGraduate Student Worker
Abbi Purches
Abbi is the Graduate Assistant for the Office of Experiential Learning and Immersion Vanderbilt working mainly as a Student Adviser. She received her B.A. in History from Franklin Pierce University in May 2022. She is a second-year master's student in Higher Education Administration. Outside of Immersion Vanderbilt, she is an intern for the Ingram Center for Student-Athlete Success working as an adviser for the Men's and Women's Tennis Teams. She enjoys traveling, reading, and trying new restaurants across Nashville.
Peer Adviser
MacKenzie Higgins
MacKenzie Higgins is a senior studying Medicine, Health, and Society on the pre-nursing track. MacKenzie is originally from Nashville and studied abroad in Florence, Italy. MacKenzie learned all about Italian food and wine! Outside of school, MacKenzie loves teaching dance, playing pickleball, and trying new restaurants!
Location & Hours
| Email: | experiential.learning@vanderbilt.edu |
| Address: | Student Life Center Suite 109 310 25th Ave South Nashville, TN 37240 |
Office Hours:
EL&IV staff work work both remotely and on campus, Monday - Friday.
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Students can view and book advising appointments on the Immersion portal.