Kevin M. Stack, Lee S. and Charles A. Speir Professor of Law, is the new senior associate provost for Vanderbilt University-New York City. Working in collaboration with Assistant Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives James Kellerhouse, Stack will oversee academic affairs for Vanderbilt's New York City campus; Kellerhouse manages operations.
"Kevin Stack embodies the qualities we value most in our academic leaders-intellectual distinction, a proven record of mentorship and a deep commitment to student success," said Tiffiny Tung, vice provost for undergraduate education. "His combination of scholarly expertise, thoughtful leadership and creativity in planning meaningful experiences on campus and in New York City make him uniquely suited to guide the academic and experiential learning enterprise at Vanderbilt University-New York City. I look forward to working closely with him to build a transformative student experience in one of the world's most dynamic cities."
EXPERIENCE AT THE HELM
Stack brings a combination of scholarly distinction, leadership experience and deep commitment to teaching and mentorship. A member of Vanderbilt's law faculty since 2007, Stack has twice served as associate dean for research. He received the university's Chancellor's Award for Research as well as the American Bar Association's annual prize for outstanding scholarship in administrative law. His excellence in the classroom is equally recognized; he received the Law School's Hall-Hartman Award for Outstanding Teaching, which reflects his ability to connect with students and foster rigorous, inclusive learning environments.
Stack's intellectual foundation is broad and deep: He holds a J.D. from Yale Law School and a master's degree in philosophy from Oxford University, where he studied as a Fulbright Scholar. His early career includes clerkships in district and appellate federal courts, as well as practice at Jenner & Block in Washington, D.C. Before joining Vanderbilt, he served on the faculty of the Cardozo Law School.
His career reflects a sustained commitment to advancing knowledge, fostering ethical leadership and mentoring the next generation of thinkers and public servants-qualities that make him especially well-suited to support, guide and champion Vanderbilt's students.
"I am truly honored to take on this role and to support Vanderbilt students as they live and learn in New York City," Stack said. "My goal is to create an environment where students not only thrive academically, but also feel connected-whether that's through mentoring conversations, dinners in the residence or internships that link their coursework to real-world experience. Vanderbilt's presence in New York opens doors to extraordinary opportunities, and I look forward to helping our students make the most of them while sustaining the close-knit community that defines our university."
OVERSEEING ACADEMIC AFFAIRS IN NYC
Stack will report directly to Tung as he oversees the day-to-day operations of the academic enterprise at Vanderbilt University-New York City.
During the 2025-26 academic year, Stack is partnering with Tung and others to collaborate on the strategy, vision and planning for Vanderbilt University-New York City while continuing as tenured faculty at Vanderbilt.
Pending New York state regulatory approval for Vanderbilt to offer academic programming on the NYC campus, Stack will be the in-residence senior associate provost starting on July 1, 2026. Vanderbilt has submitted a proposal for academic programming that includes an undergraduate study away program, which could be for one semester or part of a summer session, and a one-year master's program in Business and Technology.
He will oversee the academic operations at the New York City campus to ensure cohesive and enriching academic experiences for undergraduate and graduate students, while also supporting faculty engagement and development. Stack will manage academic staff and collaborate with campus partners to create a world-class Vanderbilt experience that leverages the unique resources and opportunities available in New York City. He will coordinate on-campus programming to foster civic-mindedness and intellectual engagement, such as faculty salons, dinners and other engaging activities for students. Stack will also focus on building relationships with the local community, business leaders, alumni and other stakeholders to enhance students' academic journeys and assist them as they navigate internships and capstone projects in New York City. Additionally, Stack plans to expand and foster networking opportunities between community partners to establish Vanderbilt as a leader of local collaboration for the city.
Faculty teaching at Vanderbilt's New York City campus will still report to their department chairs and academic deans in Nashville, but Stack will be on site for day-to-day faculty support, creating educational and experiential activities for the students outside of the classroom and collaborating with academic deans to advise on the academic strategy for the campus.
Learn more about Vanderbilt University-New York City.
