Stanford Discusses Potential Pilot Program in New York City

By Kathleen J. Sullivan

Stanford is exploring the possibility of creating a pilot program that would offer undergraduates the chance to live and study in New York City while serving as interns in organizations devoted to the arts, media, urban studies and, perhaps, finance.

Harry J. Elam Jr., vice provost for undergraduate education, said university discussions about the new pilot program, called Stanford in New York, are in the very early stages. He said a faculty committee would begin meeting in the fall to discuss its academic focus, which has not yet been determined.

Elam said Stanford is considering a tentative opening date of spring 2015, with a cohort of between 20 and 30 students.

He said the program would probably be modeled after the popular Bing Stanford in Washington Program. In Washington, D.C., students serve as interns in government and non-government organizations during the day, take classes taught by Stanford faculty and national policy experts in the evening and participate in cultural events and activities on the weekend.

“Undergraduate students, faculty and alumni are very excited about the possibility of having a Stanford in New York program," Elam said. "New York City is such a great place for students to engage in practical learning in the arts and other fields that will inform the academic work they do in the classroom here at Stanford. We plan to create a program in New York that is truly dynamic and unique.” 

Courtesy of Stanford News Service