E! has an interview with Courtney Ford.

She will be guest starring this season on the show.
Below is some info on her character.

Get more scoop here.

SPOILERS
“I play Vanessa Monroe, a Duke University grad student who’s helping Alaric (Matt Davis), Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Elena (Nina Dobrev) with Isobel’s research. It’s a really nice arc.”

This from the EW:

Courtney Ford has landed the potentially recurring role of Vanessa, a grad student at Duke who helps Damon, Alaric, and Elena go through Isobel’s old research.

At Comic-Con last month, exec producer Kevin Williamson hinted that the character may be harboring a secret or two. “She’s not without her own intrigue,” he told me. “It’ll be a nice little part for someone. And it’s a part that could evolve into this massive story line or we could gut her like a fish.”

Love how Kevin put that. Sounds intriguing!!!!