Kevin Stack, Vanderbilt Law School professor, was appointed as the inaugural senior associate provost of the university’s new campus in New York City. Beginning July 1, Stack will oversee academic programs, alumni engagement and community partnerships at the campus.
The Manhattan campus is expected to deepen the universities’ ties to industries ranging from business and technology to the arts, while providing semester- and summer-long opportunities for undergraduates to study in one of the nation’s largest career markets.
Stack said the role represents a chance for him to demonstrate his enthusiasm-driven style of leadership.
“I’ve loved my time at Vanderbilt — it’s been an incredible community for the past 18 years,” Stack said. “This role gives me an opportunity to give back to the school and to our students in a unique way.”
Stack said he plans to incorporate his background in law, education, and public policy into his new role and to ensure that students have access to immersive experiences.
“As an educator, I always try new things, especially those that fit the world we live in. In class, I try to get students excited, because, once they feel eager, they become better learners,” Stack said.
While discussing the opportunities that Vanderbilt students will encounter in Manhattan, Stack emphasized the city’s wide range of professional offerings.
“New York has nearly unrivaled opportunities for success in sectors ranging from finance, consulting, media, arts and technology,” Stack said. “I’m excited for Vanderbilt students to have immersive experiences in that rich environment.”
Stack also said these connections will play a vital role in shaping the immersive environment he envisions for the campus.
“Vanderbilt’s presence in New York opens doors to extraordinary opportunities,” Stack said. “I can’t wait to see all that our students will accomplish.”
C. Cybele Raver, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, was responsible for selecting Stack for this position at the New York City campus.
“[Stack was chosen for his] rare combination of intellectual rigor, institutional experience and collaborative spirit, which embodies Vanderbilt’s values and vision for extending our presence in New York City,” Raver said.
She added that Stack’s reputation as a collaborative and forward-thinking leader, in her view, positions him to help guide Vanderbilt’s next phase of innovation and growth.
Tiffiny Tung, vice provost of undergraduate education and chair of the faculty advisory committee for the New York City campus, said she is excited for students to be mentored and supported by Stack because he is dedicated to seeing students thrive.
“Professor Stack has been a superb collaborator as we develop opportunities for undergraduates who want to spend a semester at VU-NYC. He has been thinking creatively about the residential living-learning environment that he wants to build on that campus,” Tung said.
Stack said he plans to bring in leaders from industry, city government and the arts to connect with students and help them build networks across multiple fields. He believes these collaborations will be central to the immersive environment of the New York City campus because of the opportunities they will provide students.
James Kellerhouse, assistant vice chancellor of the New York City campus, will collaborate with Stack to shape the initiatives. “I’m thrilled to partner with Prof. Stack as we bring Vanderbilt’s New York City campus to life. Launching a new campus of this scale requires shared leadership — a collaboration that blends academic vision with operational excellence and extraordinary community and industry engagement,” he said.
Jonathan Metzl, co-chair of the New York City campus’s faculty advisory committee, said he believes that is a perfect fit for the new position.
“[Stack is] an institution builder, a natural leader and a vibrant, thoughtful administrator,” Metzl said.
The university’s proposal for the New York campus is currently under review by the New York State Education Department. The campus will have new business and technology programs and undergraduate study-away options for a semester or summer term. There is no firm timeline for when the campus will be approved, according to a university representative.
First-year Joshua Song said he believes the expansion will open valuable career doors for students like himself hoping to break into finance.
“Being in one of the largest career hubs in the world will definitely give students a different outlook on their careers and professional experiences,” Song said. “New York is the number one spot for finance — it’s literally called the financial hub of the U.S., so having exposure to that place physically gives me a lot more opportunity.”