Both VU and VUMC have made substantive investments and long-term commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2015, when still one entity, the Chancellor announced the goal of a more diverse and inclusive Vanderbilt as the university’s top priority. At the time, he empaneled a Diversity, Inclusion and Community Committee charged with developing a holistic vision of diversity and inclusion with actionable items. The resulting recommendations built on existing strengths and set bold aspirations to move Vanderbilt toward greater diversity, inclusiveness, and connectedness.
Across Vanderbilt, the Chancellor, Provost, Deans and medical center leaders have increased investments, recommitted to action, updated strategic plans and heightened accountability.
Vanderbilt University (VU) is an internationally recognized research university offering undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences, engineering, music, education, and human development, as well as a full range of graduate and professional degrees. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, VU has a total enrollment of more than 15,000 students in 10 schools – four undergraduate and six graduate and professional schools. Scientific research primarily occurs in the Schools of Medicine, Arts and Science, Engineering, and Peabody (Education and Human Development). Currently, the School of Medicine ranks 11th in NIH funding, receiving more than $350M in NIH direct funding in 2021.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is a comprehensive health center dedicated to patient care, research, and the education of health care professionals. Competitive research grants from all external sources totaled more than $836 million in FY 2021. VUMC is home to the region’s only Level I Trauma Center, a dedicated Regional Burn Center, and one of only 51 Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the nation. Through the Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network (VHAN), VUMC is working with over 6,100 clinicians, 70 hospitals, 13 health systems, and hundreds of physician practices and clinics.
The combination of cutting-edge research, liberal arts, and a distinguished medical center creates an invigorating atmosphere where researchers collaborate to solve complex problems affecting our health, culture, and society.