New faculty members selected to head residential colleges

Vanderbilt University has announced the appointment of six distinguished faculty members as residential leaders for the upcoming academic year, emphasizing the university’s commitment to enhancing student learning experiences beyond the classroom. These faculty members will play a crucial role in shaping the living-learning environment within the residential colleges on campus.

The West End Neighborhood will see the addition of three new faculty heads. Emily Pendergrass, Jeong-Oh Kim, and Robin Jones will lead Residential College-C, Nicholas S. Zeppos College, and Warren College, respectively. Additionally, Brittany Chase, Andrew Finch, and Huili Hong will serve as faculty heads at Gillette House, North House, and West House in The Ingram Commons.

Provost C. Cybele Raver expressed confidence in the appointed faculty members, stating that their leadership will enhance students’ living-learning experiences, foster a sense of belonging, and promote personal and intellectual growth within the campus community. These faculty members will reside among the students in the residence halls, guiding student-driven programming focused on intellectual exchange, community building, and leadership development.

The outgoing faculty heads, including Audrey Bowden, Dorothy J. Wingfield Phillips, Amy Johnson, Natasha McClure, and Carol Ziegler, will be greatly missed for their contributions in creating vibrant and welcoming residential communities. Melissa Gresalfi, Dean of Residential Colleges and Residential Education, highlighted the unique opportunity for faculty and students to connect on a deeper level through living together on campus.

Interested faculty members can apply for future faculty head positions by submitting a letter of interest and a current CV. The Residential Colleges website provides more information on the application process, with ongoing opportunities for faculty to join the cohort of residential leaders at Vanderbilt University.