James Kellerhouse is the Division of Administration鈥檚 new assistant vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and executive director of operations and engagement for Vanderbilt University鈥揘ew York City. The appointment marks a significant step in Vanderbilt鈥檚 efforts to expand its presence in one of the metropolitan and business capitals of the world.
Kellerhouse, a veteran administrator with extensive experience in higher education, will oversee the day-to-day operations of Vanderbilt鈥檚 New York City campus, while simultaneously leading strategic initiatives to enhance the university鈥檚 impact in the city.
鈥淛ames Kellerhouse鈥檚 leadership and experience in strategic growth and partnership building make him an excellent fit for Vanderbilt鈥檚 expanding presence in New York City,鈥� Vice Chancellor for Administration Darren Reisberg said. 鈥淗is work will be key in strengthening our operations and deepening our impact in one of the world鈥檚 most dynamic cities.鈥�
GUIDING THROUGH EXPERIENCE
Kellerhouse comes to Vanderbilt with more than 25 years of building strategic relationships with prospective donors, corporations, foundations, elected officials and government agencies to advance institutional priorities in education and health care. Before joining Vanderbilt he served as the vice president for institutional advancement and external affairs at Hartwick College, helping to raise more than $7 million per year in private philanthropy and government grants and publicly launching a $50 million campaign for the school. Additionally, he led the career development and network engagement team overseeing the integration of career readiness, alumni and industry engagement, and professional networking into the student experience.
Before his work at Hartwick, Kellerhouse was vice president for philanthropy and chief development officer for the Albany Med Foundation, leading a team of 23 professionals to raise more than $18 million annually for the Albany Med Health System. He also served as the assistant dean for institutional advancement for Albany Law School.
鈥淚 am thrilled to join Vanderbilt at this pivotal moment of radical growth and boundless opportunity under the leadership of Chancellor Diermeier and Vice Chancellor Reisberg,鈥� Kellerhouse said. 鈥淲orking alongside university leadership and Vanderbilt鈥檚 renowned, engaged faculty, I look forward to helping shape a vibrant campus that connects students, faculty, alumni, nonprofit and industry leaders and the local Chelsea community, further amplifying Vanderbilt鈥檚 impact on a global scale.鈥�
SHAPING STRATEGIES AND PROCEDURES
In his new role, Kellerhouse will be based in New York City, leading the development and implementation of procedures, processes and operations to ensure the full activation of a vibrant campus. Working in collaboration with the Office of the Provost and other university leaders, he will also help navigate current and future engagements with New York鈥檚 regulatory agencies and stakeholders.
Kellerhouse will also exercise his previous experience building relationships by cultivating strategic partnerships with local elected officials, nonprofits (including K-12 schools), and businesses and higher education institutions.
鈥淛ames Kellerhouse brings a wealth of experience in student engagement, alumni relations and external partnerships that will be invaluable as Vanderbilt contributes to the vibrant learning landscape in New York City,鈥� said Tiffiny Tung, vice provost for undergraduate education. 鈥淗is leadership will help create new pathways for our students to connect with transformative learning experiences, such as research and career development opportunities, while connecting our students to the broader Vanderbilt community in one of the world鈥檚 most vibrant and diverse cities.鈥�
These partnerships are seen as crucial to the success of Vanderbilt鈥檚 New York City initiative. Given the city鈥檚 status as a talent magnet, its diverse and highly educated workforce, and its proximity to leading institutions across a variety of sectors, the university hopes to create unique opportunities by integrating Vanderbilt into the city鈥檚 existing networks鈥攁n enormous benefit for the more than 7,800 alumni and 740 current students who call the New York area home.
EARLY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Vanderbilt also recently launched its first public programming at the New York City campus, 鈥淰anderbilt in the City: Conversations on America.鈥� This three-event series convenes faculty and thought leaders for discussions that explore big questions, ideas and the ever-evolving identity of the United States.
The first event in the series鈥攖itled 鈥淎merica and the World”鈥攆eatured Vanderbilt faculty members Brett Benson and Jad Abumrad, Northeastern University faculty Beth Noveck, and Rana Foroohar, global business columnist and associate editor at the Financial Times and global economic analyst for CNN. The event brought together more than 200 members of the Vanderbilt and NYC communities for a standing-room-only discussion on shifts in foreign policy and international alliances and their impact on the future of multilateralism, global security and America鈥檚 role in addressing global challenges.
