Cultural & Identity Resources
Your individual identity – the traits that make you uniquely you – are a central part of wellness. As a student at Vanderbilt, you may identify as a Commodore (and we hope you do!). In addition, your country of origin, culture, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and life experiences help comprise your identity. It’s possible that what makes you unique can also make you feel isolated. The below resources and affinity groups are available to help you explore your identity, and seek support, community, and fellowship if and when you need it.
The star (★) icon indicates VU offices or programs.
SCC is the central and first point of contact for students to help identify needs and determine the most appropriate resources in Vanderbilt’s Student Care Network and in the Nashville community to address concerns. Student Care Coordinators work collaboratively with students to develop a student success plan, share education about and facilitate connections to appropriate on and off-campus resources, and provide accountability through supportive follow-up meetings.
- As a key component of Vanderbilt’s Student Care Network, the UCC provides mental health assessment, support, and treatment for all students enrolled at Vanderbilt, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.
- Highly skilled and multi-disciplinary teams of professionals offer urgent care, substance abuse counseling, short-term individual counseling, group therapy, biofeedback, ADHD and learning disorder assessments, and psychiatric assessment and pharmacologic treatment. Treatment plans are tailored to each individual’s unique background and needs. UCC professionals support the University’s mission of fostering inclusive excellence through cultural awareness and humility. In addition to the services mentioned, the UCC also offers various Drop-in Consultations and Workshops throughout each week.
- To access UCC services, visit the Office of Student Care Coordination’s website at www.vanderbilt.edu/carecoordination or call the OSCC at 615-343-WELL (9355). For immediate urgent care support or to speak with someone at the UCC after business hours, call the UCC at 615-322-2571.
The BCC is a gathering place for all students offering support and development, community outreach and service, and cultural and educational programming. The BCC’s programs and partnerships serve to promote respect, understanding, tolerance, and a greater appreciation for cultural and racial diversity.
The Vanderbilt University English Language Center (ELC) provides English-language support for individuals who have a first language other than English and who are enrolled or working at Vanderbilt University.
The Global Education Office (GEO) is committed to preparing global citizens by providing innovative and high quality international learning experiences that build on Vanderbilt University’s commitment to academic excellence, global engagement and community service.
International Student & Scholar Services fosters the education and development of non-immigrant students and scholars to enable them to achieve their academic and professional goals and objectives. ISSS provides advice, counseling, and advocacy regarding immigration, cross-cultural, and personal matters.
The Islamic Center of Nashville is a school, community center, and mosque offering educational opportunities for people of all faiths.
Vanderbilt’s Office of LGBTQI Life is a cultural center and a place of affirmation for individuals of all identities, and a resource for information and support about gender and sexuality. LGBTQI Life serves all members of the Vanderbilt community — students, faculty, staff, and alumni — by creating educational, cultural, and social opportunities. The office also supports and advises LGBTQI-related campus groups and activities.
The Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center is an affirming space for women and for all members of the Vanderbilt community that actively resists sexism and all forms of oppression by providing resources and educational programming.
McTyeire International House is an on-campus living learning community that promotes the use of foreign languages and the awareness of different cultures. McTyeire offers programs to students seeking to improve their fluency in French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish or Russian as well as a program, offered in English, to students seeking to learn more about international topics.
André L. Churchwell, MD is the Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer for Vanderbilt University. Vanderbilt’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion works to intentionally foster institutional equity, diversity and inclusion by creating educational opportunities, raising awareness, and providing strategies and tools to bring to life the vision of inclusive excellence, both on our campus and in our city.
William H. Robinson is the Vice Provost for Academic Advancement and Executive Director of the Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence, and is a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Vanderbilt University. In this role, he oversees the Office for Inclusive Excellence. He also works to advance the Provost’s priorities focusing on faculty recruitment, retention, and development; student success; curriculum; and a culture of respect, dignity, and care.The OIE works to assess the progress of inclusive excellence across all areas of Academic Affairs.
The Office of the University Chaplain and Religious Life supports the spiritual and religious growth of all Vanderbilt community members while encouraging the ongoing development of interfaith literacy and dialogue.
The mission of Peabody’s Office of Student Development and Support Services is to promote connection, wellness, and support for all Peabody students by fostering student engagement in the College community. In collaboration with campus resource partners, we provide academic, emotional, and social support for all Peabody students. For more information, contact Assistant Dean for Peabody Office of Student Development and Support Services, Monique Robinson at (615) 343-6947, monique.robinson-nichols@vanderbilt.edu.
The Peabody Office of Student Engagement provides co-curricular programming for Peabody graduate (Ph.D.) and professional (M.Ed., Ed.D., and M.P.P.) students. We partner with students, staff, faculty, and administrators to engage in programming that meets students’ diverse needs through a Holistic Engagement Compass. Areas of programming include: Cultural, Physical, Intellectual, Occupational, Community Building, Spiritual, and Emotional.
The mission of the Student Center for Social Justice & Identity (SCSJI) is to promote an environment of cultural competency, inclusivity, and awareness on the Vanderbilt campus. Our vision is to provide a comprehensive service of inclusion and cultural engagement that facilitates the creation of an institution dedicated to all forms of racial, cultural, gender, religious, ability, and sexual identity expression. We seek to do this by equipping the Vanderbilt community with the tools necessary to be to effective agents of social change in an increasingly diverse world.
The Title IX and Student Discrimination Office is responsible for the review, investigation, and resolution of reports of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct under the applicable processes as mandated by law.