Generous support from our alumni and friends is critical to the continued success of the Graduate School of Vanderbilt University. Gifts of all sizes come together to help us achieve the all-important goal of training the next generation of leaders in a variety of disciplines.
Large or small, your contribution helps us continue to support the scholarly pursuits of our students and faculty, and advance Vanderbilt's education and research mission. Learn how your gift will help the Graduate School.
Powering Innovation
Scholarships and fellowships are vital to the advancement of graduate student research, personal development, and professional success. Philanthropic support ensures that our students have the opportunities they need to produce academically rigorous work, engages innovative methods, and reveals fresh perspectives. Ultimately, this work drives breakthroughs with the potential to impact not only one field of study, but also our broad global community.
Extending our Impact
Vanderbilt is unique among top-tier research schools in that our 10 colleges are located on a single 330-acre campus, intentionally designed to foster collaboration and innovation. The Graduate School serves as a vital hub, connecting scholars and faculty across schools and disciplines.
As we build for our future, we seek philanthropic support to seize opportunities to amplify our achievements, elevate our reputation, and extend our impact—such as the development of a national conference to promote innovative scholarship and facilitate networking among thought-leaders, and support for forward-thinking research agendas and mentoring programs.
Ways to Give
A note from the desk of Dean Christie-Mizell:
Vanderbilt University’s Graduate School is known for academic rigor and the pursuit of excellence in research and innovation. Donor support drives this innovation by funding scholarships and fellowships that make a world-class education broadly accessible. I ask you to consider supporting the Graduate School this year.
Our graduate programs attract and select the best and brightest students, bringing them together in a spirit of radical collaboration. This collaborative environment allows them to enhance each other’s skills and knowledge and fosters a community where every member contributes to and benefits from collective growth. Each doctoral student at Vanderbilt engages in research and scholarship that not only prepares them for their field of practice but also contributes significantly to the university’s success. Examples of Vanderbilt graduate students emerging as leaders in their fields include:
- Jennifer Markfeld, a doctoral candidate in hearing and speech sciences, is shaping the future of communication sciences through her innovative research on language development in young children at risk for autism. Markfeld explores how parent stress and parent-child interactions can influence early language outcomes. Her work has significant potential to guide early identification and intervention strategies. Markfeld is known for her deep compassion as she inspires her peers and supports families and communities in times of need.
- Ferna Alvarez-Carrascal, a doctoral candidate in earth and environmental sciences, focuses her research at the intersection of climate, environmental degradation and social systems to support community health and well-being. Using machine learning algorithms and agent-based modeling, her work explores how societies can adapt to and mitigate environmental challenges such as ensuring clean drinking water.
- Abigail Fabiano, a doctoral candidate in biomedical engineering, is pioneering cancer research that investigates how cells convert mechanical cues into biological signals. Her innovative work aims to develop new therapeutic approaches for preventing and treating cancer. Fabiano has filed an invention disclosure for her treatments. Alongside her research, she is dedicated to training future scientists and demonstrates this through her mentorship of undergraduate students.
Supporters like you have a profound impact on student research and discovery; you help shape the innovators and leaders who will change the world. By giving, you become a crucial partner in this journey of bold ideas and groundbreaking discoveries. Your support fuels students’ ability to tackle society’s most pressing problems, to develop pioneering solutions and to grow into visionary leaders ready to make a difference on a global scale. Graduate School students understand that community achievement is just as vital as individual success. This spirit of collective excellence defines us and sets us apart.
Your contributions help us fulfill our commitment to scholarly excellence, to recruiting and retaining top talent, and to building a thriving community at Vanderbilt for every student. Please continue supporting the Graduate School by investing in tomorrow’s leaders.