Vanderbilt University–New York City is open!

The lights of New York City glimmered with black and gold this week as Vanderbilt University officially opened its first campus beyond Nashville with the historic launch of Vanderbilt University–New York City, bringing a bold vision for growth to life into the heart of Manhattan.

Students moved into the vibrant Chelsea neighborhood campus and embraced the city at special events, including Chancellor Daniel Diermeier’s ringing the opening bell at the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. Mr. C even made his way from Nashville to celebrate with students in Times Square.

“Our home in Nashville remains the heart of Vanderbilt. Our vision is to create a network university—One Vanderbilt—connected across great cities and communities, with each campus contributing distinctive opportunities, relationships and intellectual energy to the whole. New York is essential to that vision.” —Chancellor Daniel Diermeier

Mr C in Times Square (Vanderbilt University)

Pamela Jeffries, dean of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, joins students during the launch of Vanderbilt University–New York City. (Vanderbilt University)

“There are few places in the world where so many forces shaping our future converge: business and finance, technology and media, arts and culture, public policy and global affairs,” he added.

Vanderbilt students on the subway in New York City (Vanderbilt University)

Kevin Stack, Lee S. and Charles A. Speir Professor of Law and senior associate provost for Vanderbilt University–New York City, welcomes students. (Vanderbilt University)

The first cohort of Vanderbilt students move into Vanderbilt University–New York City. (Vanderbilt University)

About 100 undergraduates will call the Manhattan campus home each semester. Their coursework will stretch beyond the classroom and into the city itself with internships, research positions and project-based learning built around New York’s industries. Summer programming and shorter intensive sessions are expected in the years ahead.

“I just got out of my first class, and I’m already finding a lot of community in the classroom. A lot of the students are self-starters and they’re asking questions just like me and I’m ready to be super ambitious with them,” said Carolina Kelly, a culture, advocacy and leadership major in the Class of 2027.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 25, 2026, at Vanderbilt University–New York City Left to right: Jeanny Pak, interim president of New York City Economic Development Corporation; Miesha Smith, Manhattan deputy borough president; Tony Simone, New York assemblyman; Kevin Stack, senior associate provost for Vanderbilt University–New York City; Tiffiny Tung, vice provost for undergraduate education and growth initiatives; Chancellor Daniel Diermeier; Bruce Evans, Vanderbilt Board of Trust chairman; Darren Reisberg, vice chancellor for operations and the campus network; James Kellerhouse, assistant vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and executive director of operations and engagement for Vanderbilt University–New York City; Emily Tobin, BA’87, MBA’92; Mark Levin, New York City comptroller; Carl Wilson, New York City councilmember (Vanderbilt University)

Members of Vanderbilt’s Board of Trust came to support the official opening of Vanderbilt University–New York City. Left to right: Shaiza Rizavi, BS’91, Jon Winkelried, Nora Wingfield Tyson, BA’79, Suzanne Perot McGee, BS’86, Cindy R. Kent, MBA’99/MDiv’01, Bruce R. Evans, BE’81, board chairman, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier, Jennifer Frist, BS’93, Greg S. Allen, BA’84, Allison Hall Eagles, BA’16 (Vanderbilt University)

CREATING COMMUNITY

Vanderbilt’s beloved Move-In tradition picked up and moved nearly 900 miles to welcome students to their new home away from home.

The Manhattan campus spans nearly a full city block and encompasses 13 buildings on almost three acres. Staff from Nashville and the Big Apple worked together to support students and families in the kind of smooth and memorable experience Vanderbilt is known for.

The first cohort of Vanderbilt students move into Vanderbilt University–New York City. (Vanderbilt University)

The first cohort of Vanderbilt students move into Vanderbilt University–New York City. (Vanderbilt University)

Staff from New York City and Nashville support students and families during Move-In at Vanderbilt University–New York City. (Vanderbilt University)

“I am so excited to welcome the inaugural class and finally see students walking the pathways around these beautifully restored buildings and heading off to their internships,” said Kevin Stack, Lee S. and Charles A. Speir Professor of Law and senior associate provost for Vanderbilt University–New York City.

“My goal is to create an environment where students not only thrive academically but also feel connected.” —Kevin Stack

That connection started with a special community dinner on Monday evening. Students, their families, university leadership and Chelsea neighborhood residents joined to engage in this first-of-its-kind shared experience.

“I’ve already felt a big sense of community through the people I met at orientation and the people I already knew coming here. Meeting all the neighbors through the orientation events made me feel welcome here in New York City already,” said Eric Wu, an economics major in the Class of 2027.

Mr. C and students outside of the TODAY Show in New York City (Vanderbilt University)

Vanderbilt students and staff members outside the TODAY Show in Rockefeller Center (Vanderbilt University)

NBC host Willie Geist, BA’97, and Mr. C celebrate the opening of Vanderbilt University–New York City. (Vanderbilt University)

Mr. C joined students in a whirlwind tour to start checking off students’ NYC bucket list activities, including a trip to Rockefeller Center outside the TODAY Show set.

Mr. C even took his first subway ride, sharing his Southern charm with fellow riders.

With more than 7,800 alumni and 740 enrolled students from New York, the region is home to Vanderbilt’s largest community outside Tennessee.

The Vanderbilt University–New York City campus will be a home base that connects the entire Vanderbilt community in lifelong learning, networking and intellectual enrichment opportunities through programming like the Vanderbilt in the City event series.

NEW YORK STATE OF MIND

On the trading floor of the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, Diermeier celebrated Vanderbilt University–New York City in iconic fashion by ringing the opening bell.

Vanderbilt’s name lit up on the exterior of the exchange, symbolizing the university’s arrival in the business capital.

Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Vanderbilt University–New York City students celebrate the opening of their new campus outside of the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. (Vanderbilt University)

Jumbotron outside the Nasdaq Stock Exchange showcasing Vanderbilt University-New York City (Vanderbilt University)

“As we establish this new home in New York, we look forward to becoming part of the fabric of this city—building partnerships, creating opportunities, and bringing Vanderbilt’s people, ideas and research into New York’s institutions, industries and communities. We want our presence here to make a meaningful difference for New York and the Vanderbilt community,” Diermeier said.

HISTORIC RETURN

Vanderbilt University would not exist without the philanthropy of famous New York native Cornelius Vanderbilt, who was born in Staten Island, New York, in 1794 and went on to lead a New York-based railroad and shipping empire.

“Vanderbilt’s connection to New York has deep roots. Our university began more than 150 years ago through the vision and generosity of New Yorker Cornelius Vanderbilt. So, in a very real sense, today is not simply an arrival—it is a homecoming,” Diermeier said.

DISCOVERY AND GROWTH

Vanderbilt University–New York City is just the first of the university’s growth initiatives. The essence of the university’s vision for its network of campuses is to create unique environments that will expand possibilities for students and faculty by connecting them with distinctive opportunities and resources beyond the Nashville campus.

Earlier this summer, the university made significant progress toward Vanderbilt University–San Francisco, naming the Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang College of Art, Architecture and Design in San Francisco. The college will focus on the connection between technology and creativity.

In Chattanooga, Tennessee, Vanderbilt’s Institute for Quantum Innovation will place Vanderbilt researchers at the forefront of quantum science and technology.

Vanderbilt is also advancing plans in West Palm Beach, Florida, to build connections to a growing center of finance and business.

On the western edge of Vanderbilt’s campus in Nashville, an exciting Innovation Neighborhood will create an environment for Vanderbilt researchers to work alongside entrepreneurs and industry to help move ideas from discovery to impact.

“As Vanderbilt’s reach grows, so does our capacity to advance our mission,” Diermeier said.

• Learn about studying for a semester at Vanderbilt University–New York City at the NYC undergraduate semester website
• See events happening for students, alumni and the community through Vanderbilt in the City
• Learn more about Vanderbilt’s growth initiatives

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