Get to know Vanderbilt’s residential faculty: Huili Hong

Rooted in authentic connection and engagement, Vanderbilt's residential college experience is a special aspect of student life at the university. Undergraduate houses and colleges are led by faculty, with their families and pets, who live with students, creating another vibrant layer of learning and community. Meet the university's newest faculty heads of house and heads of college in this special series.

Huili Hong, professor of the practice in the department of teaching and learning
(Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt University)

Huili Hong, professor of the practice in the department of teaching and learning, is the faculty head of West House on the Ingram Commons.

Hong's research focuses on multilingual learner education and preparing teachers to work with students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Her goals are to provide students with equitable access to academic learning and quality learning sources; guide teachers to capitalize on a student's heritage, cultures and languages; and strengthen connections among schools, families and communities.

• Name: Huili Hong
• Residential college: West House
• Years at Vanderbilt: Starting my third year
• Hometown: Changde, China
• Favorite song: "When You Believe" by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey
• Favorite book: 菜根谭 (Cai Gen Tan)
• Favorite food: Spicy food
• Favorite spot on campus: Wyatt Center
• Why did you want to be a faculty head of the house? I wanted to be a faculty head of the house because I was raised on a boarding school campus where both of my parents taught and lived with the students before my high school years. Becoming a faculty head and living in our residential house is my homecoming. More importantly, with our Westies, I look forward to building a new "home" for us all that connects our hearts and intellectual work.
• What do you value about the residential college experience? The residential college experience is invaluable in creating a vibrant, inclusive and supportive community beyond the classroom. I value its critical role in fostering a sense of belonging and offering a unique space for intellectual, personal and social growth. Huili Hong in her West House faculty apartment on The Ingram Commons
  (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt University)
• What does your family think about living on campus? My children, Victor and Isaac, look forward to being part of our Westie family. They have been supportive and enthusiastic about living on campus. They are excited about greeting and making new friends at West House.
• What advice do you have for new and returning students coming to campus? My advice for new students is to be open to new experiences and actively seek opportunities to engage with peers in our West House and other VU houses, organizations and communities. Please take advantage of the available resources, as well as all kinds of exciting events on campus and in our local communities. Also, please do not hesitate to ask for help when needed. For returning students, I would like to encourage you to take on leadership roles, mentor our newer students and continue to explore your academic and personal interests.
• What do you love about working at Vanderbilt? I love and appreciate Vanderbilt's radical collaborative spirit and its commitment to excellence. I am also grateful for the opportunities to collaborate with excellent colleagues at and beyond Vandy, as well as the support I've received to conduct new research studies and improve my teaching and services. Huili Hong, professor of the practice in the department of teaching and learning
  (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt University)
• Read about other faculty heads of house in this special series.
• Learn more about Vanderbilt's residential colleges.

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