by Amy Wolf
Vanderbilt tour guide Madison Woods strives to be authentic, optimistic and inviting when meeting prospective students and families for the first time. From her perspective, creating a sense of belonging starts on day one.
Woods, a human and organizational development and French and European studies double major from Mooresville, North Carolina, said she was drawn to being a tour guide鈥攁nd ultimately the president of the Vandy Tour Guide group鈥攑artially to dispel myths that students need to be perfect.
鈥淰anderbilt redefined what success meant for me, which was really reflective of a lot of the competitiveness I felt in high school. Now, I鈥檝e learned through my peers and my professors, as well as the overall culture we have here, that success is individual and often driven by happiness. If I’m not investing in myself and investing in the other people here, we can’t make truly meaningful accomplishments,鈥� she said.
PEER MENTAL WELLNESS SUPPORT
Woods followed this philosophy of investing in the wellness of herself and others by helping lead the 鈥溾�� mental health campaign. It brought diverse student organizations鈥攊ncluding the Greek system, affinity groups and others鈥攖ogether to build peer-to-peer mental wellness support.
鈥淐ome To Me is one of the biggest investments I鈥檝e made at Vandy. It is a reminder that no matter how or where I’m struggling, I鈥檓 not alone, and there is a tangible resource and community there to help,鈥� she said.
Woods is interested in attending law school in the future to work in refugee advocacy. She said Vanderbilt has helped her build the confidence and skills she needs to continue to support others.
鈥淥ne of the most influential things that was ever said to me at Vanderbilt was from a senior when I was a first-year, who told me, 鈥榊ou are not special because you’re at Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt is special because you are here.鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淭hat was a game changer for me to realize that I didn鈥檛 have to measure up to the Vanderbilt name. Vanderbilt wanted the unique perspective I bring to the community.鈥�
