Jonathan Metzl named strategist for Vanderbilt’s New York City growth initiative

Jonathan Metzl, Frederick B. Rentschler II Professor of Sociology and of Psychiatry and chair and professor in the Department of Medicine, Health, and Society (Vanderbilt University)

Dr. Jonathan Metzl, Frederick B. Rentschler II Professor of Sociology and of Psychiatry and chair and professor in the Department of Medicine, Health, and Society, has spent his career examining societal issues and building bridges to encourage positive change. Now he's using this insight to help advance Vanderbilt's initiative in New York City.

Along with his position on the Nashville campus, Metzl is the new senior strategist for special initiatives in the Office of Undergraduate Education in the Office of the Provost. He will be active in developing programming tied to Vanderbilt's lease of a historic space in Chelsea.

"I was eager to bring Jonathan onto the team given his wealth of experience in building programs that enhance educational and experiential learning opportunities for students," said Tiffiny Tung, vice provost for undergraduate education. "His talents will be well deployed as we envision ways to create an even greater range of meaningful learning opportunities for our students."

"So many of the topics that we research and care about, from health to education to engineering to politics to business to fashion, music, art, and the humanities, are centrally located in New York as well as in Nashville. This connection is an incredibly strong and important one for Vanderbilt and New York," Metzl said.

Metzl came to Vanderbilt from New York City in 2010, and he often travels there to discuss his research.

"I've been doing this kind of interdisciplinary, collaborative, institution-building work since I came to Nashville to expand the Medicine, Health and Society program into one of the university's most active departments," Metzl said. "I've seen the potential of what collaborative work can do to build civic citizenship, promote skills, shape educations and build careers."

BRAINSTORMING PHASE

In this new role, Metzl is co-chair of the faculty advisory committee, with Tung, in which faculty from all four undergraduate schools and colleges, plus the Owen Graduate School of Management, have been meeting regularly to discuss and develop ideas for the space.

Faculty advisory committee (left to right): Renã Robinson, Dorothy J. Wingfield Phillips Professor and professor of chemistry; Yiorgos Kostoulas, professor of the practice of engineering management; Tiffiny Tung, vice provost for undergraduate education; Brittany Chase, lecturer in ethnomusicology; C. Cybele Raver, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs; Major Jackson, Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of English; Jonathan Metzl, Frederick B. Rentschler II Professor of Sociology and of Psychiatry; Kamal Saggi, Frances and John Downing Family Professor and professor of economics; Nicole Allen, professor of human and organizational development; and Kelly Goldsmith, E. Bronson Ingram Professor and professor of marketing (Barry Williams)

Key goals are to expand opportunities for students, faculty, alumni and supporters and to create connections with the neighborhood and New York City.

In this brainstorming phase, the faculty advisory committee is examining academic programming, research and study ideas, public lectures, engagements, events and more.

The advisory committee is seeking feedback and ideas from the Vanderbilt community. Anyone with suggestions or questions can email [email protected].

"We want as many voices as possible at the table in this initial programming phase to get a sense of how we can best engage faculty and students from across the campus to create an environment and a program of study that is the most useful for the Vanderbilt community more broadly," Metzl said.

The lease, and any potential academic programming on the campus, are contingent upon approval by New York State's regulatory agencies, and Vanderbilt is in the early stages of these processes.

• Learn about Vanderbilt's other growth initiatives.
• Learn more about Jonathan Metzl and his research.
• Share your feedback and ideas with the advisory committee at [email protected]

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