Faculty Director
Brian L. Heuser
Dr. Brian L. Heuser is an Assistant Professor of the Practice of International Education Policy in the Department of Leadership, Policy and Organizations (LPO) at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. Professor Heuser currently directs the International Leadership Development (ILD) track of the Human and Organizational Development (HOD) major, and teaches and advises in both the International Education Policy and Management (IEPM) masters program and Ed.D programs. He is also the Senior Research Fellow and Advisor for the Office of the Associate Provost and Dean of Students at Vanderbilt University. His University work is strongly centered on faculty governance - having served two years as Chair of the Peabody Faculty Council and currently serving as Chair of the Faculty Senate’s Faculty Life Committee - and institutional performance assessment.
Professor Heuser has research and work experience in more than 30 countries, including as a US Embassy Policy Specialist in the Republic of Georgia where he worked on issues related to scientific and academic research conducted by tertiary institutions of the post-Soviet region. He has long worked with - and supported - renowned programs such as the Boren National Security Education Program, the Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program, the Fulbright US Student Program, and the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program.
His academic and policy work has a strong emphasis on higher education internationalization and economic development. Dr. Heuser’s research interests include the role of universities in creating economic development, the effects of ethical social norms on social cohesion, and educational issues related to student learning outcomes and human development. His emerging academic interests are related to the relationships between global health policy and education policy, and cross-national differences in university faculty work. He teaches classes in comparative education, international organizations and economic development, education policy, and international higher education management.
The Ingram Scholarship Faculty Director serves as the spokesperson for the Ingram Scholarship Program, acting as a liaison between Vanderbilt administrators and members of the Ingram family directly involved with the program. He also oversees all aspects of the scholarship. The Faculty Director monitors each Scholar's fulfillment of the program requirements and works with Ingram Scholar Advisors and faculty in the development of various Ingram seminars and workshops. The Faculty Director is also directly involved in the selection of new Ingram Scholars. Finally, he regularly evaluates the program and implements changes consistent with the original vision of the program.
Former Faculty Directors
Marshall C. Eakin (2009 - 2017)
Marshall Eakin is a historian of Latin America specializing in the history of Brazil.
Marshall has taught a wide variety of courses in history and Latin American studies at all levels, from first year undergraduates to Ph.D. candidates. These include Colonial and Modern Latin America, Brazilian Civilization, Visions of Amazonia, Reform and Revolution in Latin America, and the History Workshop. On several occasions he has offered courses for the Vanderbilt Osher Lifelong Learning Program. He has developed and taught interdisciplinary courses with faculty in Engineering, Divinity, and Peabody College. Over the past 20+ years he has been deeply involved in service-learning courses and programs.
Marshall Eakin has taught at Vanderbilt since 1983.
Ann M. Neely, Founding Director (1994 - 2009)
Ann Neely served as the Faculty Director for the Ingram Scholarship Program from 1994 - 2009. She is an Associate Professor of Education.
Before coming to Vanderbilt, Ann earned her B.S. and M.Ed. in Elementary Education at Auburn University. She then completed her Ed.D. at the University of Georgia.
Professor Neely has been a member of the Department of Teaching and Learning since 1985. From 1991-1996, Ann served as Assistant Provost and Director of Academic Affairs in Athletics. From 1987-1991, Ann served as Peabody College's Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs. Her research and scholarly interests are focused on children's literature, language and literacy, and elementary teacher education.