USAC Meet a Member: Michael Fazi
What department do you work in and what is your job title?
I work in the Title IX Office within the Division of Administration. My title is: Assistant Director, Title IX
How long have you been a Vanderbilt employee?
I have worked at Vanderbilt for 3.5 years, beginning in August 2021.
How long have you been a part of USAC and how has it impacted you?
This is my first year on USAC. I have always been interested in supporting my colleagues through advocacy and USAC is a perfect avenue for me to do that.
What has been your career journey to lead you to where you are today?
As the quintessential overinvolved undergraduate student, I knew I wanted to find a path back into higher education in the future. During law school I had the opportunity to support the work of my school’s General Counsel and Title IX Offices. This led me to also purse a Master’s in Higher Education and work in student conduct administration. When searching for jobs, Title IX offered a mix of the law and supporting students. I joined Vanderbilt as an investigator in the Title IX Office and have grown with the office over the past three years.
What is the greatest bit of advice a parent or mentor has given you?
My favorite bit of advice is to always be willing to ask, the worst someone can say is no. I have used this advice when asking someone I admire for mentoring, asking to take on new responsibilities, or when pushing for new systems to improve our workflow.
What is one important skill every person should have?
Being flexible is an important skill, especially in the world of higher education. We are always developing a new and improved way to do tasks, and we must remain flexible to try new systems when needed.
Are you more productive at night or in the morning? Do you think it is possible to change and get used to a new schedule?
I find that I am most productive in the mid to late afternoon. I have often tried to shift that up earlier in the day but find that I am able to “get in a groove” best between 3-6pm. To help my early bird coworkers, I have found schedule sending emails for the next morning can be a way to minimize the number of messages they are getting outside their typical work hours.
If you could visit any country with no budget, where would you visit?
New Zealand is currently at the top of my list for travelling. I would love to be able to spend an extended amount of time there visiting various cities and exploring their national parks.
What is your favorite type of music?
I listen to different types of music based on my current mood. Awkwardly, country music is probably my least favorite genre, despite living in Nashville!
What has been your favorite vacation you have ever been on?
One of my favorite vacations took place after spending a semester studying abroad. I spent 28 days walking across northern Spain from Pamplona to Santiago de Compostela on a path call the Camino de Santiago. Every day involved walking 10 to 20 miles and meeting people from across the world taking part in the same activity. Life doesn’t give you that kind of flexibility too often and I was glad I made the most of it!
Name two things you consider yourself to be good at?
I believe I am good at connecting people/bridging gaps to create better systems. Second, I view myself as a good listener, partially due to my job’s requirements and from growing up in a big family.
What is your favorite outdoor activity?
I really enjoy hiking and finding good vantage points to take in a cool view, whether that be up a mountain or to a hidden waterfall in the forest.