Posted by vrcvanderbilt on Monday, March 26, 2018 in Events, HART, Lectures, News, VRC.

Rebecca VanDiver, assistant professor of African American art, was among 16 women faculty attending a writing session on March 2 offered by the Office of Inclusive Excellence. Designed to build community as well as offer dedicated time to work on writing projects, future sessions will be held from 8:30-11:00 a.m. on April 6, May 4 and June 8 in Kissam 210. The sessions include breakfast and a short presentation from a senior faculty member followed by dedicated writing time.

“We want to offer the faculty community a space where colleagues can enter into freely, dedicate personal time toward scholarship, and build a peer network across campus,” said Vice Provost for Inclusive Excellence Melissa Thomas-Hunt. “Early in my career, I found that a supportive peer group made it easier to invest in my writing and advance my scholarship.”

VanDiver attended the first session that featured Peabody professor Anna Cristina da Silva, director of learning, diversity and urban studies, who shared how persistent pursuit of her writing goals combined with the ongoing support of mentors and colleagues helped her succeed in academia.

“It was exciting to be a part of this group of like-minded faculty, and I look forward to future events of this nature,” said VanDiver, adding that she gained invaluable insight from the session and encourages other women faculty to register for one of the three remaining sessions offered by the Office of Inclusive Excellence.

*Rebecca VanDiver (far left, front row) pictured with other women faculty at March 2 writing session sponsored by Office of Inclusive Excellence (photograph courtesy of myVU/Vanderbilt University)