Innovation thrives on collaboration. At Vanderbilt, we know that working together with varied ideas, perspectives and experiences is essential to solving the world's most pressing challenges and to reaching inspired goals.
Meet four members of the Class of 2025 who are transforming lives by collaborating in engineering, medicine, mentorship and education.
ELIZA HILL, CHANGING LIVES THROUGH MAKING
Eliza Hill's eyes glisten as she recounts witnessing a 7-year-old boy named Hugh with radial dysplasia (club arms) feed himself for the first time. He was able to accomplish this life-changing goal because of a device she and a team from the School of Engineering made at a weekend makeathon at the Wond'ry, Vanderbilt's Innovation Center.
"That moment is forever seared in my brain as the most incredible feeling," the chemical engineering major said.
And that was just her first year at Vanderbilt. Fast forward to now, and Hill is a leader in Vanderbilt's chapter of Tikkun Olam Makers, a global movement of collaborators designing life-changing devices like the one they made for Hugh.
"Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that I could have such an impact, especially as a college student," she said. "I love TOM so much, and I am so grateful every single day that I found it."
Hill said one class in particular has fueled her philosophy of altruistic collaboration.
"My favorite class has been Professor Kevin Galloway's course, How To Make (Almost) Anything and Make it Matter. I've heard that other schools have 'how to make almost anything' classes, but what makes his so unique to Vanderbilt is that we want to make it matter," she said. "That's what Vanderbilt is all about."
"Eliza is driven by empathy and curiosity," said Galloway, who is also director of making at the Wond'ry, Vanderbilt's Innovation Center. "She has a unique gift to make everyone feel welcome and included."
WORLD PERSPECTIVES
You could say that collaboration is built into Hill's DNA. She is an identical twin; she and her sister, Nicole, came to Vanderbilt together from Colorado. But their upbringing started much farther away than the Rocky Mountains. Hill and her siblings were born while their family was living and working in Madrid.
"My parents took a 13-year working adventure in Madrid, so we were all born with Spanish as our first language and went to traditional public schools in Spain," she said. "I'm thankful for my Spanish side, and I loved growing up in two different cultures."
SKY IS THE LIMIT
The adventure goes beyond living abroad. Her father is a flight instructor, and Hill is working on earning her pilot's license.
"I remember that first time going up into the air-I was so nervous before I got into the plane; I was filled with all this jittery excitement. But then as soon as I took off, it was a wave of calmness, like 'I've prepared for this. I feel confident. I feel good.' I guess that's a pretty great metaphor for life right now," she said, laughing.
After Commencement, Hill is combining her chemical engineering major with her love of mechanical engineering and planes with a position at GE Aerospace. And she plans to stay connected with TOM maker groups wherever she lives.
KEYONTE' DOUGHTY CREATES COLLABORATION THROUGH COMMUNITY
Learning how to successfully collaborate was a necessity for ultimate middle child Keyonte' Doughty. He has four older siblings and three younger siblings. At Vanderbilt, this extroverted first-generation college student has forged his own path, while making everyone he encounters feel like family.
Doughty spent most of his upbringing in Alabama and was drawn to Vanderbilt because of its SEC athletics energy and its reputation of having the friendliest students.
He's doing his part to fuel that positive energy by building community through the AmbassaDores Dore for a Day program, Vanderbilt Student Government, the VUCept peer mentoring organization and the Black Law Students Association.
"I think the best thing about college is that you get to be around people with really diverse interests, but similar goals of being successful and making an impact," he said.
The clubs and organizations Doughty dedicates his time to are focused on helping widen the path for other students. Most recently, Doughty and BLSA joined forces with two other student groups on a resume and LinkedIn workshop for first- and second-year students.
"My mission is about paying it forward. Through my financial aid Vanderbilt is investing in me, so I'm going to do my part to help others," he said.
DOUBLE MAJORS, MULTIPLE SKILLS
The human and organizational development and political science double major is passionate about following current events in politics and society. He's worked for a New York state representative in Washington, D.C., as well as interning in New York and Boston. He's found his double majors to be a perfect complement to any career.
"I think these experiences and my majors helped me realize that there are so many different ways to have tangible impact," Doughty said. "My generation has grown up so technology-centric, and the HOD curriculum teaches us skills around better ways to work in teams, collaborate and communicate. And we're going to use those skills everywhere. My poli-sci major helped make me a critical thinker and taught me new ways to analyze issues."
After Commencement, Doughty is taking a job in finance sales and trading at CitiGroup. And he says law or business school may be in his future.
KEYONTE'S SPARK
Doughty's professors see the spark that makes him such an excellent collaborator and mentor.
"The opportunity to work with future leaders who are as kind as they are talented and intelligent is a blessing. Keyonte' Doughty is a blessing," said Carrie Archie Russell, principal senior lecturer and director of pre-law advising. "His tireless work ethic is inspiring, and his luminous smile is uplifting. He is the future of good governance and my hope for American democracy. I am fortunate to teach so many bright minds, but it is rare to teach bright stars like Keyonte'."
