Community Relations

Nashville is a city bustling with activity during the sweltering summer months. From cultural celebrations to arts exhibitions to live dance and music offerings, there is something in store for everyone. Vanderbilt University is proud to support numerous nonprofit and community organizations that provide activities and events throughout the season. Read More

“Creating cuisines is about building community through agriculture and bridging the local with the global,” said Ted Fischer, Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Anthropology, during the opening session of “Food for Thought”—a free program presented by Vanderbilt University and the Frist Art Museum. Read More

From garden tours to musical bingo, spring in Nashville is full of opportunities to come together. Vanderbilt University is proud to partner with local nonprofits and cultural organizations to offer events that welcome students, faculty, staff—and the broader Nashville community. Read More

What does it take to build a culture of civic engagement on campus? At Vanderbilt, it starts with empowering students, faculty and staff to make their voices heard at the ballot box. That commitment has earned the university national recognition as one of the 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting. Read More

After a five-year hiatus, the Frist “Food for Thought” series is making its long-awaited return, reigniting discussions that connect art, academia and the community with fresh and thought-provoking themes. The spring 2025 sessions will focus on themes of food, labor and justice, coinciding with the Frist’s upcoming exhibit, Farm to Table: Art, Food, and Identity in the Age of Impressionism. Read More

In January 2024, Vanderbilt joined the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities, reinforcing its commitment to engaging the Nashville community and to learning and promoting best practices for addressing the unique opportunities and challenges in our metropolitan environment. Vanderbilt's membership in CUMU offers ongoing opportunities for all faculty, staff and students. Read More

The walls of Salama Urban Ministries came alive with color and meaning as students unveiled a new mural they had helped to create. Gathered with families, teachers and community members, the students pointed proudly to each vibrant panel, sharing stories of how the images reflected their identities and experiences. Read More

As the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Vanderbilt prepares for a new chapter, we celebrate the remarkable contributions of two individuals who have been key to OLLI’s success. We are also excited to announce the search for the next Director of OLLI at Vanderbilt. The new director will lead efforts to engage and inspire the OLLI community while continuing to provide high-quality educational and cultural experiences. Read More

The Vanderbilt University Community Relations team plays a crucial role in extending the university's reach into the Nashville area, partnering with local communities and organizations to make a tangible difference in our city and region. Read More

Community leaders, university partners, and local funders recently gathered for the second iteration of Vanderbilt’s “Power in Collaboration” series, aimed at enhancing community engagement and fostering inter-organizational collaboration. Read More