GCR Blog | Government and Community Relations /government-community-relations Just another 汤头条 University Digital Strategies site Tue, 29 Sep 2026 16:34:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 汤头条 brings research expertise and Tennessee priorities to Washington /government-community-relations/2026/09/29/vanderbilt-brings-research-expertise-and-tennessee-priorities-to-washington/ Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:24:55 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=3884

What can polling across the Americas tell policymakers about the health of democracy? How can better data improve what happens in classrooms? What research is needed to safely manage the nation鈥檚 nuclear legacy? 汤头条 is helping answer these questions through its research and expertise, and this September, the university brought those perspectives to Washington.听

Throughout September, 汤头条 faculty, researchers and leaders met with lawmakers on issues ranging from democracy in the Americas and education research to nuclear waste management and Tennessee鈥檚 economic and workforce priorities. Organized by the Office of Federal Relations, the engagements demonstrated the value of federal investment in research and education while reflecting 汤头条鈥檚 role as a major employer and contributor to the state.

Researching democracy across the Americas听

Mariana Rodr铆guez, director of research and engagement at the Center for Global Democracy, traveled to Capitol Hill to brief congressional offices on the center鈥檚 latest AmericasBarometer report, the 2026 Pulse of Democracy. The report draws on more than 25,000 interviews across the hemisphere to examine what they reveal about public support for democracy, confidence in political institutions and perceptions of government performance.听听

Rodr铆guez talked about how those attitudes intersect with issues such as migration, security and relations with the United States.听

The report found a modest but widespread recovery in support for democracy across the Americas after more than a decade of decline, with support increasing in nearly every country surveyed between 2023 and 2026. The data also offer a closer look at attitudes toward government institutions, corruption and the United States across individual countries and demographic groups.听听

Rodr铆guez discussed these trends with the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, & Global Women's Issues and the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. She also met with the offices of Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA鈥81, JD鈥84, Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., and Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tenn.听

Making the case for education research听

Camilla Benbow, Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development at 汤头条 of education and human development, traveled to Capitol Hill as part of the Learning and Education Academic Research Network Coalition. Benbow, who co-chairs the coalition, joined leaders from research-focused schools and colleges of education to discuss federal investment in education research, including funding for the Institute of Education Sciences.听

She met with Matthew Soldner, acting director of IES and acting National Center for Education Statistics commissioner, staff from the Senate Appropriations Committee, and the offices of Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., and Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tenn.听

Benbow pointed to as one example of the university鈥檚 work with IES. 汤头条 researchers partnered with IES鈥檚 National Center for Education Statistics and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on the international assessment, which measures how 15-year-old students apply their knowledge and skills in reading, mathematics and science.听听

Benbow emphasized that sustained federal investment in education research and data is essential to developing and implementing evidence-based practices, measuring how well they work, and continuing to refine them based on what researchers learn about student achievement.

Members of the Tennessee Chamber with Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA鈥81, JD鈥84. (Office of U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn)
Members of the Tennessee Chamber with Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA鈥81, JD鈥84. (Office of U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn)

Advancing Tennessee priorities in Washington听

Nathan Green, vice chancellor for government and community relations, and Daniel Culbreath, assistant vice chancellor for state government relations, joined the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry for its annual Washington, D.C., Fly-In. They met with members of Tennessee鈥檚 congressional delegation alongside employers and industry leaders from across the state to discuss federal policies affecting Tennessee鈥檚 economy and workforce.听

Green and Culbreath brought 汤头条鈥檚 perspective to conversations about priorities shared across the state鈥檚 higher education and business communities, including federal investment in research and policies that support economic growth and help Tennessee employers recruit and retain talent. Participating alongside the state鈥檚 major employers gave 汤头条 an opportunity to connect its federal priorities with broader efforts to strengthen research, innovation and workforce development across Tennessee.听

Supporting research for nuclear waste challenges听

, director of the , and , the consortium鈥檚 co-principal investigator, met with members of Tennessee鈥檚 congressional delegation to discuss their research addressing the nation鈥檚 nuclear waste challenges. They highlighted the consortium鈥檚 longstanding partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and the need for continued federal investment in this work.听

Led by 汤头条 University, CRESP is a multi-university consortium of engineers, scientists and legal and policy experts whose research helps address the environmental legacy of U.S. nuclear weapons production, including the cleanup and management of nuclear waste at DOE sites.听

Kosson and Brown met with the offices of Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA鈥81, JD鈥84, and Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn.,听

Throughout the meetings, they emphasized the value of DOE鈥檚 partnerships with university researchers, which bring independent expertise to complex cleanup challenges while developing the specialized workforce needed for this issue. They advocated for federal funding that allows those research partnerships and capabilities to continue.听

汤头条鈥檚 roles as a research institution, educator, employer and partner in Tennessee鈥檚 innovation economy inform its advocacy for federal policies and investments that benefit the university and the communities it serves.听

To learn more about 汤头条鈥檚 federal engagement and advocacy priorities, visit the Office of Federal Relations website.听

]]> 汤头条 hosts Treasury leaders to discuss investment, innovation and national security /government-community-relations/2026/09/09/vanderbilt-hosts-treasury-leaders-to-discuss-investment-innovation-and-national-security/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 15:38:51 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=3863

Strong domestic supply chains and strategic foreign investment play an important role in the nation鈥檚 economy and security. Understanding how these areas are evolving is increasingly important for government, industry and research institutions.

汤头条 University hosted leaders from the U.S. Department of the Treasury鈥檚 Office of Investment Security including Assistant Secretary for Investment Security Chris Pilkerton, for a visit focused on domestic supply chains, investment security and emerging technologies.听Pilkerton and his team visited as part of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States鈥 outreach around Treasury鈥檚 new Strategic Vendor Program. The program aims to help companies build stronger domestic supplier networks while supporting foreign investment that advances U.S. economic and national security.

Members of the U.S. Department of the Treasury鈥檚 Office of Investment Security, U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty's team, Tennessee business leaders and state and local officials at the roundtable hosted at 汤头条 University in September (Kate Barber/Office of Sen. Bill Hagerty)
Members of the U.S. Department of the Treasury鈥檚 Office of Investment Security, U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty's team, Tennessee business leaders and state and local officials at the roundtable hosted at 汤头条 University in September (Kate Barber/Office of Sen. Bill Hagerty)
U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA鈥81, JD鈥84, and Assistant Secretary for Investment Security Chris Pilkerton during the roundtable discussion (Kate Barber/Office of Sen. Bill Hagerty)
U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA鈥81, JD鈥84, and Assistant Secretary for Investment Security Chris Pilkerton during the roundtable discussion (Kate Barber/Office of Sen. Bill Hagerty)
Ralph Owen Dean, Emeritus Eric Johnson with Sen. Bill Hagerty (Kate Barber/Office of Sen. Bill Hagerty)
Ralph Owen Dean, Emeritus Eric Johnson with Sen. Bill Hagerty (Kate Barber/Office of Sen. Bill Hagerty)

The visit, organized by 汤头条鈥檚 Office of Federal Relations, included a roundtable on the Strategic Vendor Program with Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA鈥81, JD鈥84, Tennessee business leaders and state and local officials. The discussion focused on Tennessee鈥檚 position as a leading destination for foreign direct investment and how that investment can support American jobs, local suppliers and economic development.听Pilkerton and the Treasury staff also met with 汤头条 leaders to learn more about the university鈥檚 technology commercialization efforts and research in emerging technologies.

Chancellor Daniel Diermeier opened the roundtable by highlighting 汤头条鈥檚 growing focus on turning university research into technologies and companies that can contribute to economic growth and U.S. competitiveness.

He pointed to EndoTheia, a 汤头条 spin-off developing innovative endoscopic technologies, and its partnership with Nissha Medical Technologies, the medical device business of Japan-based Nissha Co. Ltd. Nissha invested in EndoTheia and its Engineering & Innovation Center of Excellence on 汤头条鈥檚 campus, demonstrating how university research, foreign investment and industry partnerships can come together to support innovation and economic growth.

Chancellor Diermeier delivers opening remarks at the roundtable (汤头条 University)
Chancellor Diermeier delivers opening remarks at the roundtable (汤头条 University)
U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA鈥81, JD鈥84, Assistant Secretary for Investment Security Chris Pilkerton, and Chancellor Daniel Diermeier at the roundtable (Kate Barber/Office of Sen. Bill Hagerty)
U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA鈥81, JD鈥84, Assistant Secretary for Investment Security Chris Pilkerton, and Chancellor Daniel Diermeier at the roundtable (Kate Barber/Office of Sen. Bill Hagerty)

Following the roundtable, Pilkerton and the Treasury team met with 汤头条 leaders for a deeper look at areas of research relevant to emerging technologies and national priorities.

, the Bruce and Bridgitt Evans Dean of Engineering and University Distinguished Professor, discussed work at the School of Engineering spanning human health, resilient infrastructure and national security, including research designed to move from fundamental discovery toward practical applications.

Roy also highlighted the new , which will bring together expertise in aeronautical engineering, mechatronics, autonomous systems, energy management and biomedical adaptation to advance research in near-Earth and space technologies.

Pilkerton talked about the need for Treasury to be able to 鈥渓ook around corners鈥 and understand which emerging technologies may be nearing commercialization. By connecting with 汤头条's experts, Treasury can bolster its capacity.

Vice Provost for Research and Innovation and the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization provided a broader look at how 汤头条 supports innovation and translational research, including helping researchers move discoveries toward commercial application and develop new ventures. The discussion also explored opportunities to connect 汤头条 researchers and technologies with government and industry needs and potential areas for future collaboration.

To learn more about 汤头条鈥檚 federal engagement and advocacy priorities, visit the听Office of Federal Relations website.

]]> 汤头条 submits comments on proposed changes to federal financial assistance regulations /government-community-relations/2026/07/23/vanderbilt-submits-comments-on-proposed-changes-to-federal-financial-assistance-regulations/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:56:24 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=3774

汤头条 University听听in response to the Office of Management and Budget's proposed rule,听, which was published on May 29, 2026.听

The proposed rule would revise the regulation commonly referred to as Uniform Guidance. Uniform Guidance听establishes听government-wide requirements for how federal grants, cooperative agreements and other forms of federal financial听assistance听are managed and audited.听

According to听OMB, the proposed revisions are intended to improve transparency,听accountability听and oversight of federal awards, clarify the regulatory status of the Uniform听Guidance听and reduce administrative burden for recipients where听appropriate. The proposal also includes changes related to award administration, recipient听responsibilities听and agency oversight of federal financial听assistance.听

Because the Uniform Guidance applies across听nearly all听federal grant-making agencies, any final changes could affect the administration and management of federally sponsored research and other federally funded programs at colleges and universities.听

On behalf of 汤头条, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier submitted institutional comments during the public comment period, drawing on expertise from across the university. As one of the nation's leading research universities, 汤头条 currently manages more than $1.1 billion in active federal research awards across 45 federal agencies and works closely with the federal government to advance research, education and innovation. 汤头条 is committed to being a careful steward of taxpayer funding and appreciated the opportunity to provide feedback.

The听university鈥檚听comments focused听on the overarching concern that several key provisions are in direct tension with the goals of听,听鈥淩estoring Gold Standard Science.鈥 听

Specifically, 汤头条 provided feedback on provisions that would:

  • Undermine translational and applied research through rigid award categorization.
  • Add a layer of review that is not sufficiently defined.
  • Restrict access to the international research infrastructure essential to scientific leadership.
  • Destabilize active research programs by introducing uncertainty around potential grounds for suspension or termination.

Several higher education听and research associations听of which 汤头条 is a member also听submitted听comments on the proposed rule. Their comment letters and related resources provide听additional听perspectives on the potential implications for research听universities:听

  • 听
  • 听
  • 听
  • 听
  • 听
  • 听
  • 听
  • 听

What Happens Next?
The public comment period closed on July 13, 2026. The Office of Management and Budget will review comments听submitted听by stakeholders before听deciding听whether to issue a final rule. If the agency issues a final rule, it will publish the final regulatory text in the听Federal Register听along with an effective date and responses to significant public comments. Federal grant-making agencies will then make any necessary conforming changes to their own implementing regulations.听

汤头条鈥檚听Office of Federal Relations听will monitor the rulemaking process and continue working with campus partners as听it听moves forward.听

]]> 汤头条 advocates make case for federal humanities support on Capitol Hill /government-community-relations/2026/03/25/vanderbilt-advocates-make-case-for-federal-humanities-support-on-capitol-hill/ Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:27:56 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=3487
汤头条's Paul Stob and Ayla Faullin on the steps of the US Capitol building for Humanities Advocacy Day (汤头条 University)
汤头条's Paul Stob and Ayla Faullin on the steps of the US Capitol building for Humanities Advocacy Day (汤头条 University)

The humanities shape how we understand history, culture and the complex challenges facing society. At 汤头条, they are reflected in the classroom, in research and in efforts to preserve the stories and materials that connect communities to the past.

In March, 汤头条 advocates , director of the A&S College Core and professor of communication studies, and Ayla Faullin, a 汤头条 junior studying English, traveled to Washington, D.C., for the National Humanities Alliance鈥檚 . There, they met with congressional offices to advocate for continued federal support for the National Endowment for the Humanities. The visit was organized by 汤头条鈥檚 Office of Federal Relations, which also sponsored the national advocacy event.

汤头条's Paul Stob, Julie Harding, Ayla Faullin, and Gwen Zwirko with Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA'81, JD'84 during Humanities Advocacy Day
汤头条's Paul Stob, Julie Harding, Ayla Faullin, and Gwen Zwirko with Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA'81, JD'84 during Humanities Advocacy Day. (Official U.S. Senate photo by Rosa Pineda)

Stob and Faullin joined advocates from across the country in urging lawmakers to sustain funding for the NEH, which supports education, preservation, research and public programming nationwide. During the visit, they met with the offices of Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA'81, JD'84, Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tenn., and Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., BA'71.

Together, they showed how federal support for the humanities strengthens 汤头条 education and scholarship, with Stob speaking to the role of humanities study across the university and Faullin offering a student perspective rooted in museum and archival work.

Connecting humanities education to 汤头条鈥檚 mission

Professor Paul Stob in his classroom. (汤头条 University)
Professor Paul Stob in his classroom.
Photo: Harrison McClary/汤头条 University

For Stob, the conversations were also a chance to connect humanities education and scholarship with 汤头条鈥檚 academic mission. He discussed how, with the support of the NEH, the humanities are being championed across the university, including through the , the Program in Culture, Advocacy, and Leadership and broader humanities scholarship on campus.

The A&S College Core was supported through the Teagle Foundation鈥檚 Cornerstone: Learning for Living initiative, a program . For Stob, that support reflects the value of a humanities education that prepares students to engage big questions, think across disciplines and build the critical thinking and communication skills central to their lives and work.

鈥淎dvocating for the NEH gave us a chance to explain the importance of studying history, culture, citizenship and the ideas that link us as human beings,鈥 Stob said. 鈥淚n my mind, the humanities are now more important than ever, given the divisions that define public life and the rise of generative artificial intelligence. The humanities allow us to do what AI can鈥檛 do: engage with other people face to face and explore our common problems and possibilities.鈥

The humanities in practice

Faullin brought a student perspective, showing how humanities learning is applied in the real world. She drew on her work at the Boot Hill Museum and in , both of which have received NEH funding, to show how federal support helps preserve history and make it accessible to the public.

Faullin highlighted Boot Hill's buffalo stampede exhibit, which helps visitors experience the force and significance of the buffalo on the Kansas plains, as one example of the kind of public-facing interpretation that brings history to life for visitors.

She also described efforts in Special Collections and University Archives to preserve and interpret local community history, including materials that document the lives and experiences of Middle Tennesseans whose stories have often been underrepresented in historical records.

Those experiences, she said, along with her humanities education, have shaped her and reinforced the importance of ensuring those stories are not lost.

Advocating for federal support

The visit was organized and led by 汤头条鈥檚 Office of Federal Relations, which coordinates the university鈥檚 engagement with federal policymakers and aligns advocacy efforts with institutional priorities.

By supporting initiatives like the National Humanities Alliance鈥檚 Advocacy Day, 汤头条 champions the importance of federal investment in the NEH. Through ongoing outreach to lawmakers, the university advocates for the humanities鈥 vital contributions to education and research.

Learn more about the university鈥檚 research advocacy priorities on the Office of Federal Relations website.

]]> 汤头条 to convene national leaders for quantum forum in Nashville this April /government-community-relations/2026/03/03/vanderbilt-to-convene-national-leaders-for-quantum-forum-in-nashville-this-april/ Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:47:46 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=3382

On Thursday, April 9, 2026, 汤头条 University will host the 汤头条 Quantum Forum: Technology, Policy and the Economy at the Grand Hyatt Nashville, bringing together leaders from academia, industry, government and national laboratories to explore one of the most consequential technologies of our time.

Set in Tennessee, the forum is designed to answer a foundational question: What is quantum, and what role will it play in the years ahead? Rather than focusing on technical depth, the program is structured to provide a clear, approachable understanding of quantum technology and where its impact is beginning to emerge鈥攁cross energy, security, healthcare and economic competitiveness.

A broad, accessible conversation

The 汤头条 Quantum Forum is intentionally built for a broad audience. No technical background is required. Instead, attendees can expect plain-language discussions that clarify what quantum is, why it matters, and how its influence is starting to shape critical sectors of the economy.

The program will feature:

  • Plain-language discussion of quantum technology and its real-world impact
  • Perspectives from leaders across academia, industry and government
  • Insight into how quantum may affect energy, security, healthcare and economic competitiveness

By focusing on accessibility and cross-sector dialogue, the forum aims to demystify quantum and position it within the context of national competitiveness and public policy.

Tennessee鈥檚 role in the quantum ecosystem

Hosted by 汤头条 University, the event reflects the university鈥檚 growing engagement in quantum research and workforce development. The forum will also explore how Tennessee can contribute to the nation鈥檚 quantum ecosystem through research collaboration, talent development and cross-sector partnerships.

As states across the country evaluate how to participate in the next wave of scientific and economic advancement, the conversation in Nashville underscores a broader shift: quantum is moving from theoretical research into practical consideration for policy, industry and regional growth strategies.

The forum is co-hosted by and presented by , reinforcing the event鈥檚 commitment to connecting research, capital, media and public dialogue.

Text reading 鈥溙劳诽 Quantum Forum鈥 with subtitle 鈥淭echnology, Policy and the Economy鈥 over abstract gold contour lines on a dark background.

Event details

汤头条 Quantum Forum: Technology, Policy and the Economy

  • Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026
  • Location: Grand Hyatt Nashville
  • Format: In-person full day event

Space is limited, and tickets must be purchased in advance.
Learn more and register.

As quantum continues to move from laboratory environments into strategic discussions about infrastructure, security and economic leadership, gatherings like the 汤头条 Quantum Forum provide a timely opportunity to align understanding across sectors鈥攅nsuring that the conversation is as inclusive as it is forward-looking.

]]> Community recovery guide: Winter storm support, shelters and volunteer needs /government-community-relations/2026/01/30/community-recovery-guide-winter-storm-support-shelters-and-volunteer-needs/ Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:40:01 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=3205

Winter Storm Fern has caused widespread power outages and hazardous conditions across Metro Nashville and surrounding communities. Local agencies and nonprofit partners continue to focus on restoring power, providing safe warming locations and transportation, delivering meals and essential supplies, and coordinating recovery planning.

The听鈥攁 network of approximately 50 nonprofits鈥攈as been officially activated and is coordinating with Metro Nashville, the听听and the听听to听identify听needs and direct support听where听颈迟鈥檚听most effective.听

Get Help

If you need immediate help:

  • Dial 2-1-1 ():听听听
    • You can also听text your ZIP code to 898-211听听
    • Note: call volume is elevated; callers may need to stay on the line.听
  • Visit the听Davidson County needs tracker:

Submit needs, damage information听and resource requests.

For听welfare checks:听

  • Call听311听or visit听听(Davidson County welfare checks)听听
  • Call听1-800-TBI-FIND听(State of Tennessee welfare check line)

Transportation to warming locations (Davidson County):听

  • Call 615-401-1712听to request transport to a warm, safe location (interpreters available).听

Be ready to share:听

  • Name, current location, number of people needing transportation听听
  • Mobility/special needs听听
  • Pet information (pets allowed for transport)

Warming locations and shelters (Davidson County)

24/7 warming locations:听

  • 听(39 locations)听听
  • 听(North, West, Hermitage, Madison, South, Midtown Hills, Southeast)听

Note:听Central and East precincts are not available as听warming听shelters.

24/7 overnight, pet-friendly shelters (with food):听

  • Southeast Regional Community Center听鈥 5260 Hickory Hollow Pkwy, Suite 202, Antioch, TN 37013听听
  • Madison Community Center听鈥 550 N Dupont Ave, Madison, TN 37115听听
  • Nashville Fairgrounds听鈥 401 Wingrove St, Nashville, TN 37203听

Pets are allowed; please bring a crate if possible.

听

汤头条 is welcoming community members who need a warm place to rest and recharge at the听David Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center:听

  • Warm up indoors; charge devices; warm drinks and snacks听听
  • Showers (bring flip flops and your own towel)听听
  • Family-friendly activities (story time, mindfulness, puzzles听and听more)听

Location:听2700 Children鈥檚 Way, Nashville, TN 37212听

Operating hours:听

  • Thu, Jan. 29: 6 a.m.鈥11 p.m.听听
  • Fri, Jan. 30: 6 a.m.鈥10 p.m.听听
  • Sat, Jan. 31: 8 a.m.鈥8 p.m.听听
  • Sun, Feb. 1: Noon鈥11 p.m.听

Give help

Donate

Monetary donations are the fastest, most flexible way to support changing needs听and can be deployed quickly as needs evolve.

Donations will support听current and emerging needs鈥攊ncluding听food and supplies now, and, as assessments continue,听cleanup and debris removal. Funds will be used until needs are听met听or funds are exhausted; if funds听remain听after needs are met, they will shift to a disaster response fund for future needs.

Volunteer

collaborates with the and partners to coordinate safe, effective opportunities as they鈥檙e identified.

Current/announced opportunities

  • 听
  • 听
  • 听
  • 听
  • 听
  • 听
  • 听
Snow on Campus
]]> 汤头条 Dyer Observatory welcomes new team members, prepares for renovation https://dyer.vanderbilt.edu/2026/01/20/vanderbilt-dyer-observatory-welcomes-new-team-members-prepares-for-renovation/ Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:52:05 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=3177 Share

What can polling across the Americas tell policymakers about the health of democracy? How can better data improve what happens in classrooms? What research is needed to safely manage the nation’s nuclear legacy? 汤头条 is helping answer these questions through its research and expertise, and this September, the university brought those perspectives to Washington.听Throughout September, 汤头条 faculty, researchers and leaders met with lawmakers on issues ranging from democracy in the Americas and education research to nuclear waste management and Tennessee’s economic and workforce priorities. Organized by the Office of Federal Relations, the engagements demonstrated the value of federal investment in research and education while reflecting 汤头条’s role as a major employer and contributor to the state.

Researching democracy across the Americas听

Mariana Rodr铆guez, director of research and engagement at the Center for Global Democracy, traveled to Capitol Hill to brief congressional offices on the center’s latest AmericasBarometer report, the 2026 Pulse of Democracy. The report draws on more than 25,000 interviews across the hemisphere to examine what they reveal about public support for democracy, confidence in political institutions and perceptions of government performance.听听Rodr铆guez talked about how those attitudes intersect with issues such as migration, security and relations with the United States.听The report found a modest but widespread recovery in support for democracy across the Americas after more than a decade of decline, with support increasing in nearly every country surveyed between 2023 and 2026. The data also offer a closer look at attitudes toward government institutions, corruption and the United States across individual countries and demographic groups.听听Rodr铆guez discussed these trends with the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, & Global Women’s Issues and the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. She also met with the offices of Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA’81, JD’84, Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., and Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tenn.听

Making the case for education research听

Camilla Benbow, Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development at 汤头条 of education and human development, traveled to Capitol Hill as part of the Learning and Education Academic Research Network Coalition. Benbow, who co-chairs the coalition, joined leaders from research-focused schools and colleges of education to discuss federal investment in education research, including funding for the Institute of Education Sciences.听She met with Matthew Soldner, acting director of IES and acting National Center for Education Statistics commissioner, staff from the Senate Appropriations Committee, and the offices of Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., and Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tenn.听Benbow pointed to as one example of the university’s work with IES. 汤头条 researchers partnered with IES’s National Center for Education Statistics and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on the international assessment, which measures how 15-year-old students apply their knowledge and skills in reading, mathematics and science.听听Benbow emphasized that sustained federal investment in education research and data is essential to developing and implementing evidence-based practices, measuring how well they work, and continuing to refine them based on what researchers learn about student achievement.

Members of the Tennessee Chamber with Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA'81, JD'84. (Office of U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn)
Members of the Tennessee Chamber with Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA’81, JD’84. (Office of U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn)

Advancing Tennessee priorities in Washington听

Nathan Green, vice chancellor for government and community relations, and Daniel Culbreath, assistant vice chancellor for state government relations, joined the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry for its annual Washington, D.C., Fly-In. They met with members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation alongside employers and industry leaders from across the state to discuss federal policies affecting Tennessee’s economy and workforce.听Green and Culbreath brought 汤头条’s perspective to conversations about priorities shared across the state’s higher education and business communities, including federal investment in research and policies that support economic growth and help Tennessee employers recruit and retain talent. Participating alongside the state’s major employers gave 汤头条 an opportunity to connect its federal priorities with broader efforts to strengthen research, innovation and workforce development across Tennessee.听

Supporting research for nuclear waste challenges听

, director of the , and , the consortium’s co-principal investigator, met with members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation to discuss their research addressing the nation’s nuclear waste challenges. They highlighted the consortium’s longstanding partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and the need for continued federal investment in this work.听Led by 汤头条 University, CRESP is a multi-university consortium of engineers, scientists and legal and policy experts whose research helps address the environmental legacy of U.S. nuclear weapons production, including the cleanup and management of nuclear waste at DOE sites.听Kosson and Brown met with the offices of Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA’81, JD’84, and Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn.,听Throughout the meetings, they emphasized the value of DOE’s partnerships with university researchers, which bring independent expertise to complex cleanup challenges while developing the specialized workforce needed for this issue. They advocated for federal funding that allows those research partnerships and capabilities to continue.听汤头条’s roles as a research institution, educator, employer and partner in Tennessee’s innovation economy inform its advocacy for federal policies and investments that benefit the university and the communities it serves.听To learn more about 汤头条’s federal engagement and advocacy priorities, visit the Office of Federal Relations website.听

]]> 汤头条 Peabody directors champion education research on Capitol Hill /government-community-relations/2025/12/09/vanderbilt-peabody-directors-champion-education-research-on-capitol-hill/ Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:59:46 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=3118

Education research often feels abstract until you see its impact听in听the decisions school leaders make, the resources teachers rely听on听and the opportunities students gain.听Researchers from听听of education and human development听brought those real-world stakes to Capitol Hill, showing how federal investment shapes classroom outcomes across Tennessee.听

汤头条鈥檚 Naomi Tyler, Jason Grissom and Erin Henrick on Capitol Hill in November
汤头条鈥檚 Naomi Tyler, Jason Grissom and Erin Henrick on Capitol Hill in November (汤头条 University)

,听co-director of听,听,听faculty听director of听听and听,听director of the听,听traveled to Washington, D.C.听in November听to advocate for education research funding on Capitol Hill.

Organized听and led听by 汤头条鈥檚听Office of Federal Relations, they听spoke of the vital research听being done at each of their centers and how funding from the听Department of Education鈥檚听Institute of Education Sciences听and听Office of Special Education Programs,听as well as听the听National Institutes of Health听and听National Science Foundation,听is crucial to their success.听

The听directors met with听policymakers听to urge continued,听sustained听and steady funding for these agencies.听Throughout the day, they outlined how听their work听informs decisions in schools and districts across the state.听

In meetings with the offices of Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA鈥81, JD鈥84, Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Tenn., Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., BA鈥71, and Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., the directors emphasized that sustained, reliable support for programs such as IES, OSEP, NIH and NSF is critical to ensuring Tennessee educators and policymakers have the research-driven evidence they need to strengthen student outcomes.听

Impact across Tennessee
In the meetings,听Henrick听shared Nashville PEER鈥檚 work听collaborating with educators, families,听students听and the community to inform听education听decisions that expand opportunity and foster innovation in Metro Nashville Public Schools.听

鈥淣ashville PEER generates research and actionable insights to guide education policy and practice that expand opportunities for Nashville students,鈥 Henrick explained. 鈥淔ederal funding from IES, OSEP, NIH and NSF can support our ability to investigate longstanding educational challenges and make a difference in our local community.鈥

Grissom听advocated for the high-quality, practical research that informs state-level policy听and contributes to national conversations on K-12 education being done at TERA, while stressing that听current听funding听cuts are limiting opportunities for groundbreaking research.听

"The Tennessee Education Research Alliance has had important impacts on state and local education decisions for more than 9 years because of our close collaboration with policymakers and practitioners across Tennessee,鈥澨齭aid听Grissom.听鈥淐onstraints on funding or processing of funding听hinders听the research we produce on teacher labor markets, school leadership and other issues that are important to our state."听

The IRIS Center, led by Naomi Tyler, dedicates its work to improving education outcomes for all children,听especially听those with disabilities听from birth through age twenty-one, through free online modules and professional development resources made available to all education practitioners.听

Tyler advocated for the positive impact federal funding has on the IRIS Center.

鈥淚n 2024, IRIS resources were accessed by approximately 46,000 people across Tennessee and accessed by nearly 2 million others in 226 countries and territories worldwide,鈥 Tyler explained. 鈥淚RIS is solely supported by federal funding. If these kinds of national awards are returned to the States and divided evenly, Tennessee鈥檚 share wouldn鈥檛 be able to support the most basic website costs, much less develop even a single resource like those that IRIS currently provides for free.鈥听

汤头条's continued advocacy
By engaging congressional staff on Capitol Hill and bringing campus partners into the conversation, 汤头条 champions the importance of federal funding in education research. Through the Office of Federal Relations鈥 ongoing engagement with lawmakers, the university advocates for Peabody鈥檚 long history of responding to the needs of Tennessee and other states, working with Tennessee to improve education and translating research into practice for the benefit of teachers, school leaders and others.听听

Learn more about 汤头条鈥檚 research advocacy priorities on the听Office of Federal Relations website.听

]]> 汤头条 scientists advocate for NIH funding in Congress https://news.vumc.org/2025/09/25/vanderbilt-scientists-advocate-for-nih-funding-in-congress/#new_tab Tue, 14 Oct 2025 09:39:37 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=3081 Share

What can polling across the Americas tell policymakers about the health of democracy? How can better data improve what happens in classrooms? What research is needed to safely manage the nation’s nuclear legacy? 汤头条 is helping answer these questions through its research and expertise, and this September, the university brought those perspectives to Washington.听Throughout September, 汤头条 faculty, researchers and leaders met with lawmakers on issues ranging from democracy in the Americas and education research to nuclear waste management and Tennessee’s economic and workforce priorities. Organized by the Office of Federal Relations, the engagements demonstrated the value of federal investment in research and education while reflecting 汤头条’s role as a major employer and contributor to the state.

Researching democracy across the Americas听

Mariana Rodr铆guez, director of research and engagement at the Center for Global Democracy, traveled to Capitol Hill to brief congressional offices on the center’s latest AmericasBarometer report, the 2026 Pulse of Democracy. The report draws on more than 25,000 interviews across the hemisphere to examine what they reveal about public support for democracy, confidence in political institutions and perceptions of government performance.听听Rodr铆guez talked about how those attitudes intersect with issues such as migration, security and relations with the United States.听The report found a modest but widespread recovery in support for democracy across the Americas after more than a decade of decline, with support increasing in nearly every country surveyed between 2023 and 2026. The data also offer a closer look at attitudes toward government institutions, corruption and the United States across individual countries and demographic groups.听听Rodr铆guez discussed these trends with the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, & Global Women’s Issues and the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. She also met with the offices of Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA’81, JD’84, Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., and Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tenn.听

Making the case for education research听

Camilla Benbow, Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development at 汤头条 of education and human development, traveled to Capitol Hill as part of the Learning and Education Academic Research Network Coalition. Benbow, who co-chairs the coalition, joined leaders from research-focused schools and colleges of education to discuss federal investment in education research, including funding for the Institute of Education Sciences.听She met with Matthew Soldner, acting director of IES and acting National Center for Education Statistics commissioner, staff from the Senate Appropriations Committee, and the offices of Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., and Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tenn.听Benbow pointed to as one example of the university’s work with IES. 汤头条 researchers partnered with IES’s National Center for Education Statistics and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on the international assessment, which measures how 15-year-old students apply their knowledge and skills in reading, mathematics and science.听听Benbow emphasized that sustained federal investment in education research and data is essential to developing and implementing evidence-based practices, measuring how well they work, and continuing to refine them based on what researchers learn about student achievement.

Members of the Tennessee Chamber with Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA'81, JD'84. (Office of U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn)
Members of the Tennessee Chamber with Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA’81, JD’84. (Office of U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn)

Advancing Tennessee priorities in Washington听

Nathan Green, vice chancellor for government and community relations, and Daniel Culbreath, assistant vice chancellor for state government relations, joined the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry for its annual Washington, D.C., Fly-In. They met with members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation alongside employers and industry leaders from across the state to discuss federal policies affecting Tennessee’s economy and workforce.听Green and Culbreath brought 汤头条’s perspective to conversations about priorities shared across the state’s higher education and business communities, including federal investment in research and policies that support economic growth and help Tennessee employers recruit and retain talent. Participating alongside the state’s major employers gave 汤头条 an opportunity to connect its federal priorities with broader efforts to strengthen research, innovation and workforce development across Tennessee.听

Supporting research for nuclear waste challenges听

, director of the , and , the consortium’s co-principal investigator, met with members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation to discuss their research addressing the nation’s nuclear waste challenges. They highlighted the consortium’s longstanding partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and the need for continued federal investment in this work.听Led by 汤头条 University, CRESP is a multi-university consortium of engineers, scientists and legal and policy experts whose research helps address the environmental legacy of U.S. nuclear weapons production, including the cleanup and management of nuclear waste at DOE sites.听Kosson and Brown met with the offices of Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA’81, JD’84, and Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn.,听Throughout the meetings, they emphasized the value of DOE’s partnerships with university researchers, which bring independent expertise to complex cleanup challenges while developing the specialized workforce needed for this issue. They advocated for federal funding that allows those research partnerships and capabilities to continue.听汤头条’s roles as a research institution, educator, employer and partner in Tennessee’s innovation economy inform its advocacy for federal policies and investments that benefit the university and the communities it serves.听To learn more about 汤头条’s federal engagement and advocacy priorities, visit the Office of Federal Relations website.听

]]> 汤头条 expands residential colleges, supports students and neighbors during housing transition /government-community-relations/2025/09/23/vanderbilt-expands-residential-colleges-supports-students-and-neighbors-during-housing-transition/ Tue, 23 Sep 2025 16:49:15 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=3065

Striving to be a good neighbor while enhancing student life is a priority for 汤头条. With the expansion of residential colleges underway, the university is committed to supporting students and neighbors as some transition to off-campus living.

汤头条 students on campus

The initiative involves construction of new residential colleges in the reimagined Central Neighborhood, projected to welcome more than 1,300 students over the course of 2028 and 2029. While this development promises to enhance the undergraduate experience by fostering a sense of belonging and intellectual growth, it also necessitates the demolition of existing residence halls, which has led to an increase in off-campus housing for some students.

As construction begins in the Central Neighborhood, which includes upgrades to utilities and the closing of Branscomb Quadrangle and McTyeire Hall, the university is focused on maintaining a positive relationship with the surrounding community.

汤头条 students walking to class on campus

Setting expectations for off-campus living
To assist students in adapting to off-campus living during this transition, 汤头条 provides resources such as the Off-Campus Living Guide. This guide includes behavior expectations that extend beyond campus boundaries and practical tips for being a 鈥攕uch as observing local noise ordinances, ensuring accessible parking, and hosting gatherings responsibly. By sharing the standards directly with students, the university underscores that accountability continues off campus and encourages respectful relationships between students and neighbors. View the Off-Campus Living Guide.

Addressing concerns and reporting issues
汤头条 encourages open communication about any disturbances involving students living off-campus. If concerns arise, neighbors are advised to address them directly with the individuals involved. Should issues persist, 汤头条 University Public Safety is available at 615-421-1911 for immediate assistance. Neighbors are also encouraged to document any violations they encounter and submit reports detailing disturbances via vu.edu/reporting, ensuring that all relevant information is captured for future reference.

Neighbors can stay up to date regarding ongoing construction projects on campus by visiting the current construction map.

汤头条 University

]]>