This summer, Vanderbilt University students stepped onto Hollywood’s biggest stages through the Vandy in Hollywood program, a long-running initiative that immerses students in the entertainment industry and offers transformative career opportunities.
Since its founding in 2004 by Richard Hull, BA’92, and Chad Gervich, BA’96, Vandy in Hollywood has grown into an industry-leading program that offers students an inside look at entertainment careers. Vanderbilt recently honored Hull and Gervich with the Vanderbilt Way Award for their leadership with ViH.
Each year, approximately 30 students secure coveted placements at top studios, agencies, production companies and distributors. But what truly sets Vandy in Hollywood apart is the sense of community and connection it fosters. It creates a powerful network that extends well beyond a single summer.
“Vandy in Hollywood has become the quintessential template for how alumni and universities can successfully collaborate to tangibly drive experience and jobs for college students interested in a career in media and entertainment,” Hull said. “For most students who participate in a Vandy in Hollywood summer internship, it completely changes the direction of their lives, and Chad [Gervich] and I couldn’t be more proud of the collaboration with Vanderbilt to make it all happen.”
Supported by the Vanderbilt Career Center, the Vanderbilt Alumni Association and a passionate network of graduates and parents, the program offers students more than just a résumé boost. Alumni panels, one-on-one mentorship, private studio tours and even red carpet premieres create an unforgettable summer. Vandy in Hollywood scholarships are also offered to help alleviate some of the financial burden that comes with interning in the Los Angeles area.
The program’s impact is deeply meaningful. Former interns often become employers and mentors, creating what some describe as a “Circle of Life for internships.”
“My favorite part of Vandy in Hollywood is when former interns graduate, get jobs in Hollywood and then start accepting their own interns,” Gervich said. “It’s a great feeling to help someone launch their career, start their life—but it’s an even better feeling to know you’ve helped them in a way that makes them want to help someone else.”
For Vanderbilt students passionate about entertainment, Vandy in Hollywood is more than an experience; it’s a bridge to a thriving, supportive professional community.
Sage Christensen, Class of 2027, who is studying law and communications, attended the Vandy in Hollywood summer bash and shared how inspirational the alumni were.
“The best part of the week for me was hearing the honest and personal journeys of Vanderbilt alumni,” she said. “It reminded me that even the most successful people started somewhere, and there is no one path to success. Listening to their stories helped me visualize what roles in entertainment actually look like and gave me a better understanding of where I might fit in.”
As Gervich reflects, the true magic of Vandy in Hollywood is personal.
“It keeps me connected to the Vanderbilt community—not just the campus, but the people. Working with the students, the Career Center, the Alumni Association, it all helps me feel like I’m not a hundred years old and a thousand miles away,” he said. “It makes me feel like I’m still there, young, excited and part of this place that shaped me.”
To learn more about Vandy in Hollywood and other immersive Career Center experiences, visit vanderbilt.edu/career/signature-immersive-experiences.
