Academics

Students Chronicle the Lives of Immigrant Neighbors—One Story at a Time

Through Somos Vecinos, Vassar students interview local immigrants about their lives, creating an oral history archive that brings the complexities of migration into the classroom while forging unexpected connections across the Poughkeepsie community.

Three spotlit dancers strike poses with arms raised during a performance on a darkened stage.

Vassar to Offer a Dance Major Starting Fall 2026

The Dance Department received official approval in June from the New York State Education Department to offer a major, a development that will provide new opportunities for students, the College, and even the community.

Two conference participants collaborate at a table, with one person pointing at a laptop screen while the other works on the computer. Both wear conference name badges, and reusable water bottles and laptops are visible in the bright classroom setting, suggesting a hands-on workshop or collaborative learning session.

Congratulations to Vassar’s Newly Tenured Faculty Members

Seven members of the Vassar faculty in seven academic disciplines have been granted tenure, Dean of the Faculty Demetrius Eudell announced. The Board of Trustees ratified the promotions by unanimous votes in May.

Four people stand outdoors, with foliage and a stone staircase behind them.

In an Irish Village, a Vassar Tradition Endures After 40 Years

Over 40 years of the Clifden Program, students have found purpose, community, adventure—and lasting memories in Ireland. The program blends classroom teaching with cultural immersion, creating lasting connections between Vassar students and an Irish village.

Vassar Institute Announces 2026–27 Signature Programs Focused on AI, Climate Action, Creativity, and More

The Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts has just unveiled an intriguing array of public symposiums designed to engage students, faculty, distinguished guests, and the public in thought-provoking dialogue about today’s most difficult questions.

A person with long hair sitting on the edge of an outdoor fountain.

Vassar Named a Top Producer of Gilman Scholars, Reflecting a Push for Global Access

In the past two years, 16 Vassar students have earned Gilman Scholarships that allow talented American undergraduate students with high financial need to study or intern abroad for academic credit.

Students standing in front of a sign that reads #UNGA.

Vassar–Dutchess Community College Team Earns Honors at Model UN Conference

Teams of students from Vassar and Dutchess Community College (DCC) have represented dozens of countries at the annual National Model United Nations Conference in New York City. This year, four students from Vassar and seven from DCC earned an Honorable Mention, the third highest prize.

Bekir Hodzic ’26 smiles while wearing glasses and a blazer in front of a colorful stained-glass window.

Watson Fellow’s Global Inquiry on Remembering Genocide

Bekir Hodzic ’26, whose family survived genocide in Bosnia, will spend a Watson Fellowship year studying how communities and nations remember mass violence.

Group of people standing and smiling at a conference.

Students Attend Biochemistry Conference—and One Returned with an Award

Twelve Vassar students attended the annual meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Washington, D.C. in March. One of the students, Chi Nguyen ’26,won a top award in the undergraduate poster competition.