Residential Colleges is accepting applications for 2025 Faculty VUceptors

Each fall, Vanderbilt University welcomes a new cohort of more than 1,600 first-year undergraduate students. From day one, these students are met with an intentional support system and vast network of resources available to ensure their success.

A key component of first-year student support is Vanderbilt's six-week extended orientation program, Vanderbilt Visions. Vanderbilt Visions is co-facilitated by an upper-division peer mentor and a faculty member, called VUceptors. VUceptors support students throughout CommonVU Orientation and for the duration of the Vanderbilt Visions program.

By actively leading and learning alongside a group of 20 first-year students, faculty VUceptors model the dynamic and meaningful professor-student interactions that are a cornerstone of the Vanderbilt experience. This relationship enables first-year students to view faculty as more approachable, thus broadening their scope of support and opportunities at Vanderbilt. The benefits of Vanderbilt Visions are not limited to first-year students. Through their partnership with a student VUceptor, faculty VUceptors discover new and innovative ways to apply the skills acquired through the program in all areas of their work at the university.

Heraldo Falconi, principal senior lecturer in Spanish and Portuguese, has served as a faculty VUceptor since 2016. Reflecting on the impact of his student VUceptor Charly Adie, Falconi notes that working with Adie for two years has been an incredible experience. "In my almost 10 years of participating in Visions, I have never had a more thoughtful and productive partnership," Falconi said. "In many ways I can say that working with Charly has made me a better person by making me even more aware of the power of flexible and caring leadership in student success. I find like never before that my own interactions with students in my regular classes are informed by my Visions experience with Charly. It truly has been a joy to partner with Charly and to work together to provide a supportive community for our students."

Applications to serve as a faculty VUceptor are now open.

All individuals who hold a faculty appointment at Vanderbilt are eligible to apply. Staff members who do not hold a faculty appointment will be considered on a case-by-case basis if they hold a terminal degree in their academic field and have the support of their supervisor. Training will be provided to all faculty VUceptors, and no prior experience is necessary.

Successful faculty VUceptors usually commit approximately two to three hours per week of their time to the six-week program between August and October. In addition, all faculty VUceptors are asked to attend a short training in the spring and a full-day training in August. Precise time commitments for the role are outlined on the application form.

Faculty who would like to learn more about serving in the role of a faculty VUceptor are invited to an interest breakfast on Wednesday, Jan. 29, from 9 to 10 a.m. at The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons dean's residence, located at 1235 18th Ave. S. Interested faculty should RSVPby Jan. 24.

"Vanderbilt Visions is one of the most important ways that new students learn about how to connect with and contribute to a welcoming and inclusive community. Equally important, Visions is an amazing opportunity to get to know students in a context that is different from a traditional classroom," said Melissa Gresalfi, dean of residential colleges and residential education. "In Visions meetings you have an opportunity to learn about who students are, where they come from and how they hope to grow. Leading a Visions group has truly transformed my teaching and my relationship with students."

Applications are available online, with a priority review deadline of Feb. 21.

Questions about the faculty VUceptor role? Email [email protected].