Residential College Symposium 2026

The 13th Annual Residential College Symposium from October 21-23, 2026 in Nashville, TN.

Welcome and Overview

October 21–23, 2026 | Nashville, TN

The and Vanderbilt ��vlog��Bվ invite you to attend the 13th Annual Residential College Symposium. This premier gathering brings together faculty, academic and student affairs professionals, and student leaders to expand their learning, advance their practice and build meaningful connections within the residential college community.

This year's symposium explores Radical Collaboration: The Role of Residential Colleges in 21st Century Higher Education. As institutions face evolving student needs, shifting demographics and emerging challenges, residential colleges serve as powerful catalysts for transformative learning, belonging and academic engagement. Through collaborative partnerships among faculty, staff and students, residential colleges can lead the way in reimagining higher education for the next generation.

We invite all attendees to:

Engage deeply with thought-provoking sessions led by national experts and innovative practitioners
Connect authentically with peers and mentors who share your passion for residential education
Collaborate boldly across disciplines, institutions and perspectives to address today's most pressing challenges
Contribute your voice through interactive discussions, networking events and community-building experiences
Leave empowered with practical tools, research-backed strategies and lasting relationships to transform your work

Click the link below to access the registration page.

REGISTRATION PAGE

Focus Areas

To learn more about the symposium's focus areas, click on the corresponding tabs in the drop-down menu.

Academic Integration and Residential Pedagogy

Showcasing how curricular and co-curricular elements intersect in residential colleges, including faculty-in-residence teaching and learning practices.

Possible topics may include: Course-linked living learning communities, seminars, faculty-in-residence mentoring models, co-curricular learning outcomes, interdisciplinary themes embedded in residential colleges, student scholarly communities, capstones and reflective practice in residential colleges.

Assessment and Innovation

Faculty-Staff Partnerships

Elevating collaborative models and operations that are fundamental to the way that residential colleges work, including roles, decision-making, communication and culture-building.

Possible topics may include: Role clarity and organization design, programming pipelines and resource management, training and onboarding practices, conflict resolution and communication practices, facilities partnerships and case studies of turning feedback into operational change.

Student Leadership and Belonging

Centering student voice and leadership pathways to cultivate inclusive, vibrant residential college communities.

Possible topics may include: Peer mentoring, council structures, belonging and wellbeing initiatives, inclusive traditions and community norms, first-year experience in residential colleges, panels featuring student outcomes and leadership stories, and social media storytelling led by students.

Coming soon!

Travel and accommodation, the schedule and frequently asked questions coming soon!

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