JUly 2023 | Issue 51

Peabody Office of Student Engagement & Well-Being

A monthly newsletter with inspiration for self-care, engagement, and reflection

WORKING THE COMPASS

What We Can Hold

Meaghan E. Mundy | Assistant Dean | Office of Student Engagement and Well-Being

Our hands were made for holding. Kneading. Touching. Feeling. Calming. Signaling. Signing. Creating . . . Protecting. Shielding. Guiding . . . And also, tapping keys, pushing buttons, and swiping. We have gotten really good at that. But what of those other uses?

What if we remembered that our hands and fingers are more than mere extensions of our bodies, means to many ends? What if we were more intentional in considering how we use them, what they need, and what they can give? And in their extension beyond tapping and manipulating an electronic device or laptop keyboard, what really touching something or someone can mean.

For example, our cat Nash, has gotten sidelined since we got a new puppy in February. Nash is a skittish rescue from the Nashville Humane Association, and is very picky about his people and who touches him. We love him right through it. However, our black lab Yogi, does not. Yogi wants to play with Nash and Nash is not down with it. Nash has taken to spending long bouts of time outside exploring or hiding under beds. That is, until Yogi leaves to go on a walk. Then, Nash is lookin' for love. Touch. Affection. Attention. A hand to hold or be held by.

He will come find me or my daughter, often distractedly scrolling or typing or working away, he will climb on our chests, meow, and be a fool for some love. He demands, by his actions and presence, that we give him our full attention. More since Yogi the pup has entered the picture, I realize Nash needs our touch and connection. Our presence. And since Yogi is bigger and endlessly curious about this other four-legged creature whom he lives with, when Nash comes out from hiding, I try to make space for him. To pet him. Scratch his neck. Soak in his weight and warmth. Feel his heartbeat. Be fully reminded that our hands are also, and probably most importantly, for holding and for loving that which surrounds us.

Maybe it's a cat. Or a child. Or a partner or parent. Maybe it's your dog or guinea pig. Maybe it's an elderly neighbor. Or the lightning bug you free back to its home in your yard. For me, sometimes I feel the pull to touch a tree while on a hike. To say thank you for the oxygen and cool shelter it provides during these long, hot summer days. Right now, I can think of its texture and earthy smell, how its life helps mine, and I am utterly grateful.

What are you holding this summer? What might you hold less of? More? Hands are for holding. Look down at your hands right now. Really see them. Examine your fingerprints. The feel of your skin. The shape of your nails. Hold your hands together; feel their strength. Their pressure. Their presence. Place them palms up on your lap.

What would it be like to begin to notice all the ways our hands serve us?

Be still and see what they might hold.

Learning to Lie Still poem by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

STUDENT VOICES

Meet Gaby Herrera Espinosa

Our featured student, Gaby Herrera Espinosa, is a second year master's student in Special Education, Severe Disabilities. She joined our Walk and Talk at Radnor last month and we loved getting to know her better! Come to our Walk & Talk in July to meet more of your fellow students - details in our Events section below!

Where do you call home? Where do you feel most at home?

I am originally from Veracruz, Mexico. Veracruz is a state located on the Gulf of Mexico coast. I was born and raised in Xalapa, also known as the "City of Flowers." Xalapa is the state's capital and a city known for its coffee and delicious cuisine. Growing up surrounded by nature makes every green space feel like home. I also feel most at home when I spend time with my family and friends!

Where do you hope your Peabody degree takes you?
After I graduate, I hope to teach and work with students and families from diverse backgrounds. I am very passionate about the intersection between mental health and disability and wish to bridge both fields to equip students, their families, and their communities with the tools to feel safe, heard and seen.
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If your life was a book, what is the title of the chapter you are in now?
"Connection": I love meeting new people and having a wholesome chat over a cup (or two) of coffee. I always learn so much from every person I meet, and I am always fascinated to learn about their life paths and what inspires them daily. This chapter is also about reconnecting with myself, taking on new challenges, getting out of my comfort zone, pursuing that hobby that I've always wanted to do, rereading my favorite books, and creating a safe space within me.

A favorite “thing” about Nashville? Vanderbilt?

My favorite thing about Nashville is the music scene and the beautiful green spaces in and around the city. I love going to live concerts, discovering new artists, and hiking at Percy Warner! My favorite things about Vanderbilt are the friends that I have made, who have now become my family, and the people (students, professors, and staff) that inspire me to create more inclusive spaces that extend beyond campus. I also love walking around campus and sitting by the Peabody lawn on sunny days!

A favorite object, quote, or "thing" you brought with you to Nashville and why it is important to you?
My most treasured possession would be the letters my siblings, mom, and friends wrote me before moving to Nashville. Each of their letters is so unique that it feels as if I had a small piece of my favorite people with me, their words always reminding me why I am where I am and how important it is to fight for my dreams with perseverance, effort, and endless gratitude.

A contribution you hope to make at Peabody this year:
I hope to work with and learn from students, faculty, and staff working towards creating more diverse spaces for all, both within and beyond Peabody. I also want to bring more awareness to mental health and access to mental health services for individuals with disabilities. This year, I also wish to work closely with Nashville's Hispanic and Latinx communities and dive deep into the research surrounding special education considerations for multilingual learners.

HEALTHY MOVES

Al Fresco Options Abound

Summer is the best time to pack a basket of some delicious food, grab some friends, and head to your nearest park! We have compiled a list of some great items and places to explore around Nashville. Don't forget to bring plenty of hydrating beverages, sunscreen, and bug spray too!

There are lots of great local places to find goodies like the Nashville Farmer's Market, The Turnip Truck, and The Produce Place, however, a recent trip to Trader Joe's (on Hillsboro Pike and White Bridge Road) led us to ten yummy ready-made foods for a lunch or tasty appetizers outside. Here are some of our favorites:

Cambozola Triple-Creme Soft-Ripened Blue Cheese
Feta, Pepper Drop & Olive Antipasto
5-Layer (hummus, guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream and cheese) Dip
3-Layer (classic, cilantro, and spicy) Hummus or Chocolate Dessert Hummus (yum!)
Cornbread Crisps
Patio Potato Chips or Organic Corn Chips
Chile & Garlic Cashews
Lemon Basil Pasta Salad
Everything But the Gluten Norwegian Crispbreads
Fresh fruit - grapes, strawberries, melon, pineapple

Want more great food ideas? Here are 51 more!

The next step is the perfect spot. And one of the best things about Nashville? The many green spaces that abound around town. So many great parks, gardens, and vineyards to explore! Here are some lovely spaces and places to spread out your blanket and gather around delicious food and drink:

Centennial Park
Elmington Park
Love Circle
Arrington Vineyard
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
Cheekwood Botanical Gardens
Cumberland Park
Riverfront Park

We'd love to see your spread! Tag us @PeabodyOSE on Instagram and share both new and old spots for some outdoor relaxation and fun.

Compiled by Cassie Coffman, OSEW Graduate Assistant

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

You Scream, I Scream . . . We All Scream for Ice Cream!

Cool off with one of summer's sweetest treats - ice cream! We have a delicious chocolate vegan ice cream recipe for you to try at home. And, if that seems like too much trouble, we are also sharing a list of places around Nashville where the lines might be long-ish but not as long as it would take to make your own ice cream : ) Know of other great ice cream shops? We'd love to know where your favorite ice cream can be found!

CHOCOLATE VEGAN NO-CHURN ICE CREAM

Ingredients:

2 14-ounce cans coconut cream OR full-fat coconut milk (chilled overnight in the fridge)
Note: Trader Joe's coconut cream or Thai Kitchen cocunut milk are good options)
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder
14-16 ounces pitted dates (if not sticky and moist, soak in warm water for 10 minutes then drain)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

Optional Add-Ins:

1 ounce espresso (cooled)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Cacao nibs

Directions:

Place a large mixing bowl in the freezer to chill for 10 minutes.
In the meantime, add moist, pitted dates to a food processor or strong blender and process until small bits remain. Then add hot water a little at a time until it forms a thick paste. Set aside.
Without tipping the cans, scoop out the coconut cream from the cans of coconut cream OR coconut milk, reserving the clear liquid for other uses. Place in chilled mixing bowl. Note: If you’re using coconut milk, you’ll likely use less sweetener because there’s less volume
Using a mixer, whip until creamy and smooth. Then add cocoa powder, vanilla, almond milk, and half of the date paste. Whip until fully incorporated
Taste and adjust flavors as needed. (You will likely add most of the date paste and additional cocoa powder as needed).
Transfer to a parchment-lined freezer-safe container and cover loosely with plastic wrap, then foil to help freeze.
You can take this out in a couple of hours for a chilled mousse-like ice cream. Freeze overnight for a firmer ice cream.
Set out for at least 20 minutes prior to scooping, and use a scoop warmed under hot water for a proper scoop.
Will keep in the freezer for up to one week, but best when fresh.

From The Minimalist Baker

Places to Enjoy Ice Cream Treats in Nashville

Legendairy Milkshake Bar - 171 3rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams - 1819 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
Elliston Place Soda Shop - 2105 Ellinston Pl, Nashhille, TN 37203
Bobbie's Dairy Dip - 5301 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209
Mike's Ice Cream - 129 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201
Ben and Jerry's - 416-A 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
Fryce Cream - 2905 12th Ave S Suite #104, Nashville, TN 37204
The Baked Bear - 1809 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203
Kokos Ice Cream (plant-based ice cream) - 3 City Ave STE 700, Nashville, TN 37209
Rolled 4 Ever Ice Cream - 1120 4th Ave N Suite #102, Nashville, TN 37208

Compiled by Cassie Coffman, OSEW Graduate Assistant

Good Vibes

Let The Music Move You

What better way to enjoy Music City than concerts in the summer! Here is a list of some upcoming July concerts in Nashville:

Rhonda Vincent @ Ryman Auditorium - July 13
1964 The Tribute @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center - July 14
Young the Giant with Milky Chance @ Ascend Amphitheater - July 14
Beyonce @ Nissan Stadium - July 15
blink-182 @ Bridgestone Arena - July 16
Louis Tomlinson @ Ascend Amphitheater - July 18
Dailey & Vincent @ Ryman Auditorium - July 20
Ed Sheeran @ Nissan Stadium - July 22
Big Time Rush @ Ascend Amphitheater - July 24
Greta Van Fleet @ Bridgestone Arena - July 24
Maggie Rogers @ Ascend Amphitheater - July 25
George Strait, Chris Stapleton, and Little Big Town @ Nissan Stadium - July 28 - 29
Sam Smith @ Bridgestone Aerna - July 29
Jason Mraz @ FirstBank Amphitheater - July 30

See more July concerts around town here! Looking for live music that is budget-friendly? Check out these spots in Middle Tennessee where you can hear new and upcoming artists for FREE!

Music in the Vines @ Arrington Vineyards every Saturday and Sunday from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Jazz on the Cumberland @ Cumberland Park every third Sunday until October
Rock Castle Summer Songwriter Series @ Rock Castle State Historic Site, July 15, 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Music in the Park @ McEwen Northside (4301 Aspen Grove Drive, Franklin TN, 37067), July 20, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Compiled by Cassie Coffman, OSEW Graduate Assistant.

EDI VOICES AT THE TABLE

Defining Juneteenth and July 4th:Teaching About Freedom in America

Lianna Gomori-Ruben | excerpted from The Medium

It’s 2018. I have just moved to Tulsa from New York City, and I have never heard of Juneteenth. When I crossed the Mason-Dixon line, I found myself in another world.

Juneteenth, locals informed me, is African American Independence Day. It commemorates June 19th, 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger came to Texas and brought word that the enslaved were free — two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Many believe that the news had been deliberately withheld in order to keep slavery in effect.

On that June day, African Americans walked off of plantations and into their new lives as free people. Many headed west to Oklahoma and established all-Black towns and settlements as well as Black Wall Street, a prosperous center of Black wealth, commerce, and entrepreneurship.

But the struggle for freedom was far from over. In 1921, Black Wall Street was destroyed in a racially-motivated massacre. The news coverage of this event was erased from library records in attempts to cover it up. Today, the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission is working hard to ensure the visibility of that history as well as its utilization in present-day initiatives.

Achieving true freedom, with liberty and justice for all, is ongoing work in America.

Juneteenth [and] July 4th. Two rounds of barbecues and carnivals celebrating two different stories of American freedom. One fragmented nation, jagged with scars along segregated city maps.

As an American, I yearn for coherence. I long for a national narrative that can hold space for violence, suffering, beauty, and jubilation.

As an educator, I am inspired.

Educators are uniquely positioned to shape the hearts, minds, and narratives of the next generation. Educators can reach across borders that exist within the nation — geographically, racially, politically — to weave them together towards a peaceful future.

Why didn’t I know about Juneteenth? Where was it in my U.S. history classes? Where was it in my community celebrations? Where were the critical interrogations of freedom, liberty, and independence across a multiplicity of American stories?

Reflect on Freedom

Engage the following questions:

What does it mean to be free today?
How is the United States doing at delivering its promise of liberty and justice for all?
What work must be done today to achieve more freedom for everyone
What are your hopes and dreams for your future?
What are your hopes and dreams for the future of America?

Educators can teach young people to confront the tension inherent in American freedom narratives. Commemorating Juneteenth along with July 4th would make progress towards coherence. Perhaps subsequent generations of Americans can be better educated than I was as to the cultural history surrounding Juneteenth, and the value that it contributes to understanding American freedom today.

Submitted by Dr. Hasina Mohyuddin, Assistant Dean of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

RESOURCES

Headspace App

Vanderbilt students have free access to Headspace – an award-winning, research-backed digital tool for mindful living with over 1,200+ hours of themed meditations, sleep content, mindful movement exercises, and focus music. With over 75+ research collaborations and 26 published studies as the mindfulness digital intervention of choice, Headspace has been shown to reduce stress, improve focus, increase resilience and happiness. Enroll in Vanderbilt’s program here.

University Counseling Center Resources

The University Counseling Center (UCC), part of the Student Care Network, offers in-person individual counseling, group therapy, and workshops. The UCC is available to all full-time Vanderbilt students. To learn more about eligibility and services, please visit their website.

Groups and workshops are also available for affinity groups and as safe spaces for students with diverse needs. If support from like-minded students feels like something that would be helpful to you, we encourage you to check out the many wonderful options.

Need help immediately? Find the UCC's crisis resources here.

Student of Concern Form

Faculty, staff, fellow students, community members, and family members can report concerns pertaining to the personal, physical, or emotional well-being of a student using the Student of Concern Form. Forms can be submitted anonymously and help students get the support and resources they need.

Support for Faculty and Staff

If you are a faculty or staff member in need of mental health resources or support, please contact the Employee Assistance Program at Work-Life Connections. The Employee Assistance Program can provide support and resources related to a variety of issues (stress, emotional health, relationships, family, financial, alcohol, drug, and other personal concerns).

The University Staff Advisory Council is a wonderful resource that represents 90 elected individuals, who in turn represent more than 4,000 full- and part-time exempt and non-exempt Vanderbilt University staff members. USAC is an advisory group to administration and staff on issues, policies and practices that affect the university and those served by the council. Feel free to provide feedback or ask questions through this anonymous form. General body meetings are open and any staff member can attend on the second Tuesday of each month, 8:30-10 a.m. We hope to see you there!

If you are interested in a faculty/staff affinity group, many options are available. For questions or more information, please reach out to eag@vanderbilt.edu in the Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Employees can also take advantage of two new well-being resources:

Virgin Pulse wellness program
Lyra, VU's new mental health program - includes 12 sessions per year. To schedule an appointment visit: vanderbilt.health.lyra.com

Kognito At-Risk is an online platform that provides students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to practice identifying others who need additional support; it also has an emphasis on self-care and well-being.Learn more here.

Campus Safety Resources

VandySafe App:The app allows users to contact VUPD via phone call or real-time chat, trigger a mobile Bluelight that shares your location instantly with VUPD, initiate a “Virtual Walkhome” where VUPD can monitor your walk home and much more.

VandyRide: We encourage everyone traveling to and from our locations in the evenings to consider using the VandyRide service, which operates from 6:00pm until 3:00am daily. Via the VandyRide interactive map and associated DoubleMap app, VandyRide’s location along its route is now viewable on your computer or mobile phone, and you can even set up text message alerts to let you know when a van will be arriving to your stop.

Walking Escorts: All travelers traveling to and from our locations can request a walking escort, at any time, by calling the VUPS Communications Center at (615) 322-2745.

Learn more about campus safety resources here.

Red Bicycle Coffee

Summer Hours

Open Monday-Friday, 7:30-4:30 p.m., Red Bicycle has a delicious menu that includes crepes, breakfast tacos, and sandwiches, including a Nashville favorite – hot chicken! If you just need a midday pick-me-up, Red Bicycle has you covered there too. They serve espresso, specialty lattes, and teas that can help power you through a long morning of classes as well as afternoon study breaks.

If you are running short on time, pre-order and pick up your food using the QR code. For Peabody's Red Bicycle Coffee updates and information, follow on IG @redbicyclemagnolia. We are so excited to have Red Bicycle on campus and are thrilled to have them as valued community-building partners at Peabody!

July Programming

OFFICE HOURS

PEABODY OFFICE of STUDENT ENGAGEMENT & WELL-BEING (OSEW)
PEABODY OFFICE of EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION (EDI)
PEABODY INTERNATIONAL STUDENT & AFFAIRS OFFICE (PISA)

OSEW, EDI, and PISA are located in the Peabody Administration Building, suite 216 and are open from 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday. We are also available by appointment. Please feel free to each out to us at: PeabodyOSE@vanderbilt.edu, EDI-Peabody@vanderbilt.edu, or PISA@vanderbilt.edu.

COMMON GROUNDS COFFEE/TEA PAIRINGS

Common Grounds provides the Peabody and Vanderbilt community with the opportunity to connect with new people (students, faculty, and staff can participate!) through random pairings throughout the summer. No worries if you get busy, just let us know and you can stop at any time. We hope you'll join us! Make a new connection in three easy steps:

1) Sign up by Friday, July 14th.
2) Receive your random partner (fellow student, faculty, or staff member) via email the following week.
3) Coordinate a time, date, and location to meet your partner for a 15, 30, or 60-minute coffee or tea chat (virtual or in-person).

PEABODY WALK AND TALK @ EDWIN WARNER PARK
July 16 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Edwin Warner Park

Come join the Office of Student Engagement and Well-Being for a hike at Edwin Warner Park. We will meet at the Nature Center off of Highway 100. Friends, dogs, roommates, partners, and kids welcome! RSVP here. Water and snacks provided.

Warner Park Nature Center: 7311 Highway 100, Nashville, TN 37221.

POPSICLES ON THE PORTICO
July 21 | 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Peabody Administration Building steps and portico

The Office of Student Engagement and Well-Being and other Peabody Dean's Office staff hope you will come by for a popsicle on the portico! Free popsicles to the first 100 friends to come by. A great way to cool off during these hot days of summer, grab a friend or colleague, stop by before or after class or work . . . All are welcome to this drop-by event - kids, dogs, partners, roommates, classmates, faculty, and staff!

EVENING AT THE FRIST CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS
July 27 | 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Frist Center for the Visual Arts

Come join the Office of Student Engagement and Well-Being at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, an art museum in Nashville housed in the city's historic U.S. Post Office building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On Thursdays from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. college students receive FREE admission. It will be a great evening to enjoy art and community. Bring your student ID and meet us in the lobby at 919 Broadway at 5 p.m. Please RSVP here!

Silver Linings: Summer Lovin'

What beauty are you noticing? We invite you to both take in and share something that has caught your attention, caused you to pause, or put a smile on your face. What have you been grateful for? We need more of these beautiful moments in our full and sometimes messy, lovely lives. Please feel free to share a photo for inclusion in our next Well@Peabody newsletter, tag our office on Instagram with the hashtag #PeabodySilverLining or email us. Happy snapping!