One of the special parts of student life at Vanderbilt is the university’s uniquely personal and collaborative residential college experience. Undergraduate houses and colleges are led by faculty who live with their families in community with students.
Our faculty heads of house and their teams are excited to learn more about their new student residents! They’re starting by revealing some things about themselves in this special portrait series.
- Name: Audrey Bowden
- Faculty position: Associate professor of biomedical engineering and Dorothy J. Wingfield Phillips Chancellor’s Faculty Fellow
- Years at Vanderbilt: 2
- Residential college: Zeppos College
- Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
- Favorite book: The Scarlet Pimpernel
- Favorite food: Lime Tostitos
- Favorite spot on campus: The daycare center with my kids
Although this year will be extremely different than years past, what are you most looking forward to for the upcoming academic year? This is my first year in Zeppos College, and I’m really looking forward to building community with all of our residents.
Why do you value being a faculty head of house, or what do you love about the residential college experience? What I love about residential colleges is that they are a place to come home to, but also lots of fun—and you can have dessert every night! I have fond memories of my own experience living in a residential college when I was in school, and I look forward to living that out again with my family.
What advice do you have for new students coming to campus? And returning students? I’m so excited about this opportunity I have to set new traditions for Zeppos College. My advice is to bring your best ideas and your full selves to make this place what you want it to be. Come excited to build a legacy.
Tell us a funny or poignant experience you’ve had at Vanderbilt. In my first year, I participated as a faculty marshal during the Commencement ceremony. It was really awesome to be a part of the pomp and circumstance. I really look forward to celebrating with all of our seniors this coming year.
Who do you step up and mask up for? My dad has diabetes. I mask up for him.
Contact: Brenda Ellis, 615 343-6314
brenda.ellis@vanderbilt.edu