An ardent gardener, a strong believer in the power of community, and a semi-retired neighborhood activist are ways Carole Freeman Kenner uses to describe herself.

For over twenty years, she has been a faculty member of the Department of Communication Studies at Vanderbilt University. Her area of specialty is interpersonal communication and small group dynamics. Her academic interests include relationship attraction, conflict management, community dialogue and physician-patient interactions.

Nashville, Tennessee has been Carole's home since 1974. She has three adult children. She is an active member of Second Presbyterian Church. She has served as an Elder of the church. Carole is presently is on the board of Senior Citizen Inc., of Nashville. She is also a member of the advisory board of Monroe-Harding Children's Home.

Kenner was instrumental in founding the Richland-West End Neighborhood Association, and she continues to be involved with neighborhood and historic preservation issues. She also teaches incarcerated women through the Better Decisions program.

One of Carole's favorite quotes from Margaret Mead exemplifies her volunteer experiences, "Never doubt that a small group of committed individuals can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has".