Belonging & Communities

Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center

The Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center (BCC) is an essential resource for Vanderbilt and the greater Nashville community that seeks to highlight Black history, accomplishments, and culture. The mission of the BCC is to enhance the Vanderbilt experience of Black students, faculty, and staff by providing effective programming and resources to address the academic, cultural, well-being, and social needs of the community it serves.

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Center for Spiritual and Religious Life

The Center for Spiritual and Religious Life nurtures a community of communities where students, faculty, and staff are invited to experience hospitality, engage in discovery, and practice generosity. In collaboration with the Center for Spiritual and Religious Life, affiliate chaplains provide support to a number of faith communities at Vanderbilt.

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K.C. Potter Center for LGBTQI Life

The K.C. Potter Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Life at Vanderbilt University (LGBTQI Life) is a center, a place of affirmation, and a resource for information and support about gender and sexuality. The center supports and advises LGBTQIA+-related campus groups and activities, as well as members of the Nashville community and beyond.

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Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center

The Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center is an affirming space for women and for all members of the Vanderbilt community that actively resists sexism and all forms of oppression by providing resources and educational programming.

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Student Center for Social Justice and Identity

The Student Center for Social Justice and Identity serves students by fostering a sense of belonging through intentional reflection, critical dialogue, and inclusive engagement within the diverse Vanderbilt community and beyond. By utilizing globally recognized curriculums, art-based pedagogies, and critical thinking to facilitate transformative educational experiences, SCSJI aims to develop the next generation of transnational leaders one student at a time.

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Identity Initiatives

Identity Initiatives include support of groups such as first-generation college students, Indigenous and Native students, Latin American and Hispanic students, low-income students, military-connected students, Asian Pacific Islander Desi American students, Muslim students, Jewish students, and students who identify with visible and invisible disabilities.

Current Identity Initiatives
- APIDA: For students who identify as Asian Pacific Islander Desi American. This initiative is supported by organizations such as the Asian American Student Association (AASA), the South Asian Cultural Exchange (SACE), Thai Student Organization, Pakistani Students Association and more.
- Chabad and Hillel: For Jewish students.
- InclusAbility: For students who identify with visible and invisible disabilities, physical health conditions and diseases, mental health conditions, and neurodiversity. This initiative works closely with the Vanderbilt Alliance on Disability and Condition and other advocacy groups.
- IndigenousVU: For Indigenous and Native students, this initiative connects students with the Indigenous Scholars Organization and other groups dedicated to supporting Indigenous identities and cultures.
- Islamic Center of Nashville: For Muslim students.
- MilitaryVU: For veteran and military students, this initiative collaborates with the Student Veterans of America Chapter at Vanderbilt to support the unique experiences and needs of these students.
- Network First Gen: For first-generation college students (i.e., students whose supporting parent(s) did not complete a baccalaureate degree), this initiative connects students with resources and mentorship opportunities through organizations like FirstVU and Open Book Collective at Vanderbilt.
- PersistVU: For students with low-income backgrounds, this initiative works with organizations such as the QuestBridge Chapter and FirstVU focused on economic equity and support for underrepresented communities.
- SomosVU: For Latin American, Hispanic, and Caribbean students, this initiative partners with organizations such as Association of Latin American Students (ALAS), Mexican American Student Association (MASA), and others to celebrate and support diverse cultures.
- InternationalVU: For students who identify as “International” or “Global.”
Learn more about identity initiatives and corresponding student organizations.

Holy Days Calendar and Accommodations

The Vanderbilt Holy Days Calendar was developed to broaden the University community’s recognition of its diverse religious perspectives. Visit the Holy Days webpage to learn more.

Affinity Groups

LGBTQIA+ Affinity Groups
- Ace/Aro Affinity Group: Provides a supportive space for people who identify on the asexual and/or aromantic spectrums to discuss their experiences as it relates to navigating both queer and heteronormative spaces.
- BlackOut Affinity Group: Facilitates the coming together of Black LGBTQIA+ members of the Vanderbilt community in order to provide support and share space and experiences. BlackOut is co-sponsored by The Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center.
- Bi/Pan/Fluid Affinity Group: Provides a supportive and brave space for people who want to explore bi/pan/fluid or otherwise non-straight/non-heterosexual identities and experiences. Join us for conversation, exploration, and fun!
- Gay Men Affinity Group: Provides a supportive environment for students who identity as men/male/masculine and gay to make friends, share resources, and participate in meaningful discussions.
- LatinQ Affinity Group: An opportunity for people who identify as LGBTQIA+and are Latin American to share resources, build community, and discuss the intersections of all their identities.
- Plurality Affinity Group: Provides a brave space for LGBTQIA+ people who identify with or are practicing polyamory or consensual non-monogamy. Plurality delves into the history, representations, and skills involved with polyamory and consensual non-monogamy. Join us for resources and discussions!
- Recovery Support Pride Affinity Group: In partnership with Vanderbilt Recovery Services (VRS) this group is specifically for those who identify as LGBTQIA+ and are either in recovery or are currently struggling with habits that are ultimately detrimental to one’s wellbeing.
  - Join one of our Weekly Wellbeing Practices.
- Queer & Asian Affinity Group: Provides space for students who are LGBTQIA2S+ and Asian American, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander. Join us for resources, conversation, and fun!
- Queerality Affinity Group: Provides an opportunity for students to explore both queer and religious identities and topics. Join us for exploration, fun, and great conversations. All religious/non-religious and spiritual identities are welcome.
- Queer Graduate and Professional Student Affinity Group: QGPS creates a space for LGBTQIA+ Vanderbilt University graduate and professional students to come together and discuss shared experiences, consider their own identities, and build community beyond their own school or program.
- Queer Affinity Group for Fraternity Members: VQ-AGFM creates opportunities for Queer current or recent members of Vanderbilt Fraternities to share space and, build community, and resources about their shared identities. VQ-AGFM is a casual group that enjoys great conversation and fun activities!
- Queer Sorority Members Affinity Group: QSAG provides an opportunity for students who identify as LGBTQIA+ and are current or recent members of a campus sorority to share experiences and find resources. Join us for conversation and fun!
- TGQ Affinity Group: TGQ provides space to discuss the continuum of gender identity and expression, particularly for students who identify across the Trans spectrum, as well as those questioning. Join us for conversation, community, fun, and resources!
- Willow Affinity Group: Provides an affirming, open space for women, women-aligned people, and lesbians attracted to other women, women-aligned people, and lesbians to discuss their experiences, share resources, and find a focused, supportive community where their identities are centered. Join us for meetings, movie nights, and more.
Women's Center

Women in the Academy: This program offers Ph.D. students and postdocs a chance to reflect on the ways in which gender affects their professional experiences in the academy.
Work-Life Workshop: For faculty, staff, graduate students, and postdocs.
Vanderbilt School of Nursing Affinity Groups
- American Assembly for Men in Nursing Affinity Group; Middle Tennessee Chapter at Vanderbilt: Provides a framework for nurses, as a group, to meet, to discuss and influence factors which affect men as nurses. Members of AAMN have a voice in local, state and national events that impact nursing and male nurses. The National Board of Directors, Chapter Leaders, and Committee Members are all members of the national Assembly.
  - For information contact adviser Chance Allen or visit VUSN'S AAMN chapter.
- Asian Pacific Islander and Desi American (APIDA) Student Nurses: Given the nurse's position as the foremost patient advocate, VUSN APIDA Student Nurses aims to use our personal experiences as minorities within the health care system to give a voice to Asian American and Pacific Islander clients and their communities by increasing awareness of the health disparities unique to these populations. This organization will advocate for this population from a place of true understanding. Ultimately, we aim to support and enrich both the experiences of students and clients through education, open dialogue, networking, and advocacy.
  - For more information contact Chorong Park or Rebekah Hayes .
- Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) PreSpecialty Affinity Group: Created to support the sociocultural needs of BIPOC Pre-Specialty students. The goal of this organization is to explore the nursing and advanced practice nursing role in health care and serve as a resource for students. Our monthly lunch and learn sessions are designed to provide a space to discuss topics of interest and facilitate open dialogue and peer networking.
  - For more information contact Dr. Brandee Madden, Professor Shaunna Parker, or Professor Taneesha Reynolds.
- Black Student Nurses Affinity Group: Founded in the 1990s by a group of VUSN African American students who felt a need for an organization that focused on the socio-cultural needs of African American nursing students. Part of its core activity includes an emphasis on mentoring of first-year nursing students by second-year students. It also hosts activities to assist students in exploring the role of advanced practiced nurses in health care and serves as a resource network for students. Each academic year culminates with BSNO sponsoring VUSN Diversity Month and Diversity Day.
  - For more information contact Dr. Jannyse Tapp or Dr. Julia Steed.
- DNP Diversity Affinity Group: Fosters a safe and welcoming community that is inclusive and respectful of differences for all VUSN DNP students by promoting support, setting expectations, creating resources and tools to celebrate and elevate our professional and academic environment.
- Hispanic/Latinx Student Nurses Affinity Group: Focuses on the health care needs of individuals of Hispanic and Latino populations. As future advanced practice nurses, one of the missions of the group is to educate peers and faculty about the health needs, disparities and evidence-based solutions for Hispanic and Latino populations while providing networking and support for members.
  - For more information contact Dr. Shelza Rivas or Mariah Ramirez .
- Medical Christian Fellowship: An inter-denominational, student-led organization of both nursing and medical students from Vanderbilt and surrounding schools. Our mission is: Encouraging and equipping students in the health professions to follow Jesus Christ and participate in His healing work. All are welcome to attend our weekly or semi-annual gatherings.
  - For more information contact Anna Richmond, or Melanie Morris.
- Military/Veterans Student Nurses Affinity Group: Provides resources and support to military and veteran students at VUSN. The group looks for opportunities for relationship building among military and veteran students through volunteer/service opportunities as well as informative meetings. The MVSAG also wants to bring attention to the unique needs of military and veteran students returning to civilian life.
- Neurodiversity Student Nurses Advocacy Group: Welcomes all students interested in promoting mental health awareness at VUSN and the Greater Nashville Community through education, advocacy, and outreach initiatives. We offer an inclusive space for all VUSN students. Whether personally impacted by mental health concerns or an ally—we invite your participation! The purpose of VUSN’s Neurodiversity Student Nurses Advocacy Group is to deepen our understanding of the diverse lived experiences of folx experiencing mental health concerns and take actionable steps to break down stigmas associated with mental health differences at VUSN, in the Greater Nashville Community, and in our future careers as nurse practitioners.
- Vandy Village: Focuses on C.A.R.E for student parents and/or caregivers. Our goal is to Connect Vanderbilt students by compiling resources in one easily accessible area, Advise peers and provide mentorship, Relate to and build community through shared experiences, and Encourage each other to succeed. It takes a village, let's get it done... together
- VUSNPride Student Affinity Group: Provides support for LGBTQ+ students and allies at VUSN while promoting a welcoming and inclusive culture. We facilitate education of faculty and students on LGBTQ+ issues and promote inclusion of LGBTQ+ health content in the curriculum. In addition, VUSNPride serves the LGBTQ+ community in Nashville and participates in activities that support shared initiatives.
  - For more information contact Dr. Michael Gooch.

Student Affairs
at Vanderbilt University

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