21 Feb Chancellor Releases 2nd Annual Report on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Additional investments in Opportunity Vanderbilt, the opening of the Student Center for Social Justice and Identity and the recognition of the 50th anniversary of Perry Wallace and Godfrey Dillard integrating SEC basketball are just a few of the many achievements outlined in the annual report on equity, diversity and inclusion released today from Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos. Now in its second year, the report provides an overview of the equity, diversity and inclusion efforts across Vanderbilt’s campus during the 2017-18 academic year.

“Over the past year, we have engaged in difficult conversations, and we have thought critically about our values. We know that Vanderbilt’s mission of research, teaching and service to humanity cannot and will not be fully achieved unless equity, diversity and inclusion are positioned as the cornerstone of everything we do as a university,” Zeppos said. “Last year we gave an update on the progress we had made so far but acknowledged that our journey was far from complete. In this new report, we are pleased to share that we have continued to break new ground in our equity, diversity and inclusion efforts at Vanderbilt and remain wholly committed to the journey ahead.”

Highlights of the report include increased recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups in faculty and staff roles, incorporating diversity and inclusion goals into the physical environment of the campus, and a new student care network that takes a holistic, inclusive approach to supporting students’ wellbeing.

“As we continue this work, I am thrilled that James Page has joined us as vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion to help lead and inform these efforts in close partnership with all of the vice chancellors,” Zeppos said. “This is a big job, and we need everyone’s participation as we relentlessly continue to press forward in our pursuit of inclusive excellence.”

Download the second annual equity, diversity and inclusion report here. >>