GCR Blog | Government and Community Relations /government-community-relations Just another 51Թ Digital Strategies site Tue, 29 Sep 2026 16:34:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 51Թ 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’s nuclear legacy? 51Թ is helping answer these questions through its research and expertise, and this September, the university brought those perspectives to Washington.

Throughout September, 51Թ 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 51Թ’s role as a major employer and contributor to the state.

Researching democracy across the Americas

Mariana Rodríguez, 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.

Rodríguez talked about how those attitudes intersect with issues such as migration, security and relations with the United States.

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.

Rodríguez 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.

Making the case for education research

Camilla Benbow, Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development at 51Թ 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.

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.

Benbow pointed to as one example of the university’s work with IES. 51Թ 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.

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

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.

Green and Culbreath brought 51Թ’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 51Թ an opportunity to connect its federal priorities with broader efforts to strengthen research, innovation and workforce development across Tennessee.

Supporting research for nuclear waste challenges

, 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.

Led by 51Թ, 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.

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.,

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.

51Թ’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.

To learn more about 51Թ’s federal engagement and advocacy priorities, visit the Office of Federal Relations website.

]]> 51Թ 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’s economy and security. Understanding how these areas are evolving is increasingly important for government, industry and research institutions.

51Թ hosted leaders from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s 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.Pilkerton and his team visited as part of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States’ outreach around Treasury’s 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’s Office of Investment Security, U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty's team, Tennessee business leaders and state and local officials at the roundtable hosted at 51Թ in September (Kate Barber/Office of Sen. Bill Hagerty)
Members of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Investment Security, U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty's team, Tennessee business leaders and state and local officials at the roundtable hosted at 51Թ in September (Kate Barber/Office of Sen. Bill Hagerty)
U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA’81, JD’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’81, JD’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 51Թ’s Office of Federal Relations, included a roundtable on the Strategic Vendor Program with Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA’81, JD’84, Tennessee business leaders and state and local officials. The discussion focused on Tennessee’s position as a leading destination for foreign direct investment and how that investment can support American jobs, local suppliers and economic development.Pilkerton and the Treasury staff also met with 51Թ leaders to learn more about the university’s technology commercialization efforts and research in emerging technologies.

Chancellor Daniel Diermeier opened the roundtable by highlighting 51Թ’s 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 51Թ 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 51Թ’s 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 (51Թ)
Chancellor Diermeier delivers opening remarks at the roundtable (51Թ)
U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA’81, JD’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’81, JD’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 51Թ 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 “look around corners” and understand which emerging technologies may be nearing commercialization. By connecting with 51Թ'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 51Թ supports innovation and translational research, including helping researchers move discoveries toward commercial application and develop new ventures. The discussion also explored opportunities to connect 51Թ researchers and technologies with government and industry needs and potential areas for future collaboration.

To learn more about 51Թ’s federal engagement and advocacy priorities, visit theOffice of Federal Relations website.

]]> 51Թ 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

51Թin response to the Office of Management and Budget's proposed rule,, which was published on May 29, 2026.

The proposed rule would revise the regulation commonly referred to as Uniform Guidance. Uniform Guidanceestablishesgovernment-wide requirements for how federal grants, cooperative agreements and other forms of federal financialassistanceare managed and audited.

According toOMB, the proposed revisions are intended to improve transparency,accountabilityand oversight of federal awards, clarify the regulatory status of the UniformGuidanceand reduce administrative burden for recipients whereappropriate. The proposal also includes changes related to award administration, recipientresponsibilitiesand agency oversight of federal financialassistance.

Because the Uniform Guidance applies acrossnearly allfederal 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.

On behalf of 51Թ, 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, 51Թ 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. 51Թ is committed to being a careful steward of taxpayer funding and appreciated the opportunity to provide feedback.

Theuniversity’scomments focusedon the overarching concern that several key provisions are in direct tension with the goals of,“Restoring Gold Standard Science.”

Specifically, 51Թ 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 educationand research associationsof which 51Թ is a member alsosubmittedcomments on the proposed rule. Their comment letters and related resources provideadditionalperspectives on the potential implications for researchuniversities:

What Happens Next?
The public comment period closed on July 13, 2026. The Office of Management and Budget will review commentssubmittedby stakeholders beforedecidingwhether to issue a final rule. If the agency issues a final rule, it will publish the final regulatory text in theFederal Registeralong 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.

51Թ’sOffice of Federal Relationswill monitor the rulemaking process and continue working with campus partners asitmoves forward.

]]> 51Թ 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
51Թ's Paul Stob and Ayla Faullin on the steps of the US Capitol building for Humanities Advocacy Day (51Թ)
51Թ's Paul Stob and Ayla Faullin on the steps of the US Capitol building for Humanities Advocacy Day (51Թ)

The humanities shape how we understand history, culture and the complex challenges facing society. At 51Թ, 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, 51Թ advocates , director of the A&S College Core and professor of communication studies, and Ayla Faullin, a 51Թ junior studying English, traveled to Washington, D.C., for the National Humanities Alliance’s . There, they met with congressional offices to advocate for continued federal support for the National Endowment for the Humanities. The visit was organized by 51Թ’s Office of Federal Relations, which also sponsored the national advocacy event.

51Թ'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
51Թ'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 51Թ 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 51Թ’s mission

Professor Paul Stob in his classroom. (51Թ)
Professor Paul Stob in his classroom.
Photo: Harrison McClary/51Թ

For Stob, the conversations were also a chance to connect humanities education and scholarship with 51Թ’s 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’s 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.

“Advocating 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,” Stob said. “In 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’t do: engage with other people face to face and explore our common problems and possibilities.”

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 51Թ’s Office of Federal Relations, which coordinates the university’s engagement with federal policymakers and aligns advocacy efforts with institutional priorities.

By supporting initiatives like the National Humanities Alliance’s Advocacy Day, 51Թ champions the importance of federal investment in the NEH. Through ongoing outreach to lawmakers, the university advocates for the humanities’ vital contributions to education and research.

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

]]> 51Թ 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, 51Թ will host the 51Թ 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—across energy, security, healthcare and economic competitiveness.

A broad, accessible conversation

The 51Թ 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’s role in the quantum ecosystem

Hosted by 51Թ, the event reflects the university’s growing engagement in quantum research and workforce development. The forum will also explore how Tennessee can contribute to the nation’s 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’s commitment to connecting research, capital, media and public dialogue.

Text reading “51Թ Quantum Forum” with subtitle “Technology, Policy and the Economy” over abstract gold contour lines on a dark background.

Event details

51Թ 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 51Թ Quantum Forum provide a timely opportunity to align understanding across sectors—ensuring 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—a network of approximately 50 nonprofits—has been officially activated and is coordinating with Metro Nashville, theand thetoidentifyneeds and direct supportwhere’smost effective.

Get Help

If you need immediate help:

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

Submit needs, damage informationand resource requests.

Forwelfare checks:

  • Call311or visit(Davidson County welfare checks)
  • Call1-800-TBI-FIND(State of Tennessee welfare check line)

Transportation to warming locations (Davidson County):

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

Be ready to share:

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

Warming locations and shelters (Davidson County)

24/7 warming locations:

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

Note:Central and East precincts are not available aswarmingshelters.

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

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

Pets are allowed; please bring a crate if possible.

51Թ is welcoming community members who need a warm place to rest and recharge at theDavid Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center:

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

Location:2700 Children’s Way, Nashville, TN 37212

Operating hours:

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

Give help

Donate

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

Donations will supportcurrent and emerging needs—includingfood and supplies now, and, as assessments continue,cleanup and debris removal. Funds will be used until needs aremetor funds are exhausted; if fundsremainafter 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’re identified.

Current/announced opportunities

Snow on Campus
]]> 51Թ 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? 51Թ is helping answer these questions through its research and expertise, and this September, the university brought those perspectives to Washington.Throughout September, 51Թ 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 51Թ’s role as a major employer and contributor to the state.

Researching democracy across the Americas

Mariana Rodríguez, 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.Rodríguez talked about how those attitudes intersect with issues such as migration, security and relations with the United States.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.Rodríguez 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.

Making the case for education research

Camilla Benbow, Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development at 51Թ 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.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.Benbow pointed to as one example of the university’s work with IES. 51Թ 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.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

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.Green and Culbreath brought 51Թ’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 51Թ an opportunity to connect its federal priorities with broader efforts to strengthen research, innovation and workforce development across Tennessee.

Supporting research for nuclear waste challenges

, 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.Led by 51Թ, 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.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.,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.51Թ’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.To learn more about 51Թ’s federal engagement and advocacy priorities, visit the Office of Federal Relations website.

]]> 51Թ 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 impactinthe decisions school leaders make, the resources teachers relyonand the opportunities students gain.Researchers fromof education and human developmentbrought those real-world stakes to Capitol Hill, showing how federal investment shapes classroom outcomes across Tennessee.

51Թ’s Naomi Tyler, Jason Grissom and Erin Henrick on Capitol Hill in November
51Թ’s Naomi Tyler, Jason Grissom and Erin Henrick on Capitol Hill in November (51Թ)

,co-director of,,facultydirector ofand,director of the,traveled to Washington, D.C.in Novemberto advocate for education research funding on Capitol Hill.

Organizedand ledby 51Թ’sOffice of Federal Relations, theyspoke of the vital researchbeing done at each of their centers and how funding from theDepartment of Education’sInstitute of Education SciencesandOffice of Special Education Programs,as well astheNational Institutes of HealthandNational Science Foundation,is crucial to their success.

Thedirectors met withpolicymakersto urge continued,sustainedand steady funding for these agencies.Throughout the day, they outlined howtheir workinforms decisions in schools and districts across the state.

In meetings with the offices of Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA’81, JD’84, Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Tenn., Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., BA’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.

Impact across Tennessee
In the meetings,Henrickshared Nashville PEER’s workcollaborating with educators, families,studentsand the community to informeducationdecisions that expand opportunity and foster innovation in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

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

Grissomadvocated for the high-quality, practical research that informs state-level policyand contributes to national conversations on K-12 education being done at TERA, while stressing thatcurrentfundingcuts are limiting opportunities for groundbreaking research.

"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,”saidGrissom.“Constraints on funding or processing of fundinghindersthe research we produce on teacher labor markets, school leadership and other issues that are important to our state."

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

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

“In 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,” Tyler explained. “IRIS is solely supported by federal funding. If these kinds of national awards are returned to the States and divided evenly, Tennessee’s share wouldn’t be able to support the most basic website costs, much less develop even a single resource like those that IRIS currently provides for free.”

51Թ's continued advocacy
By engaging congressional staff on Capitol Hill and bringing campus partners into the conversation, 51Թ champions the importance of federal funding in education research. Through the Office of Federal Relations’ ongoing engagement with lawmakers, the university advocates for Peabody’s 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.

Learn more about 51Թ’s research advocacy priorities on theOffice of Federal Relations website.

]]> 51Թ 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? 51Թ is helping answer these questions through its research and expertise, and this September, the university brought those perspectives to Washington.Throughout September, 51Թ 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 51Թ’s role as a major employer and contributor to the state.

Researching democracy across the Americas

Mariana Rodríguez, 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.Rodríguez talked about how those attitudes intersect with issues such as migration, security and relations with the United States.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.Rodríguez 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.

Making the case for education research

Camilla Benbow, Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development at 51Թ 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.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.Benbow pointed to as one example of the university’s work with IES. 51Թ 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.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

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.Green and Culbreath brought 51Թ’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 51Թ an opportunity to connect its federal priorities with broader efforts to strengthen research, innovation and workforce development across Tennessee.

Supporting research for nuclear waste challenges

, 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.Led by 51Թ, 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.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.,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.51Թ’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.To learn more about 51Թ’s federal engagement and advocacy priorities, visit the Office of Federal Relations website.

]]> 51Թ 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 51Թ. With the expansion of residential colleges underway, the university is committed to supporting students and neighbors as some transition to off-campus living.

51Թ 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.

51Թ students walking to class on campus

Setting expectations for off-campus living
To assist students in adapting to off-campus living during this transition, 51Թ 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 —such 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
51Թ 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, 51Թ 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.

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