Blair School of Music faculty member Deanna Walker was recognized with the Office of Undergraduate Education’s Faculty Excellence Award during the OUE End of Year Celebration. The award honors an Immersion Faculty Fellow who demonstrates outstanding dedication to mentorship, teaching and supporting immersive student learning.
Walker was selected for her exceptional commitment to students and immersive learning experiences across the university. During the past academic year, she advised 19 culminating projects, mentored nine immersive experiences, reviewed 84 funding applications and conducted 45 student advising appointments. Through her leadership and collaboration across schools, she has expanded both access to and the impact of immersive learning opportunities for Vanderbilt students.
Since 1999, Walker has taught Blair’s popular Hit Songwriter Series, a public-enrollment course that brings leading Nashville songwriters, artists, publishers and music industry executives into the classroom. Throughout the semester, students have the opportunity to present their original songs for professional critique, receiving candid feedback and career guidance from some of the industry’s most accomplished creative professionals.
“I love the immersion program,” Walker said. “It’s incredible that our students receive funding to create such brilliant and often unique projects. I am inspired by reading the grant proposals because they show a vast range of not only intellectual, but often humanitarian, pursuits. I’m more impressed with our students than ever!”
