Fall 2026

The fall pilot structure

How VEA is organized this fall, what students will do, and what is still subject to Vanderbilt Enterprises review.

A VE-aligned student operating group

VEA is being developed as a VE-aligned student operating group / fall pilot that helps organize student insight, workstreams, feedback, and project support around Vanderbilt Enterprises priorities. It is built from the VE Think Tank.

This fall pilot is a deliberate starting point. Longer-term structure — including how VEA is formally recognized down the road — can develop later, as Vanderbilt Enterprises reviews how the pilot performs.

Builds from the VE Think Tank

The fall pilot grows directly out of last year's Think Tank, not a fresh recruitment cycle. Current Think Tank participants get first opportunity to take on leadership and workstream roles.

Organized around workstreams

Students support specific workstreams — Brand, Strategy, and Fan Engagement — each with its own focus and deliverables.

Platform-driven, not meeting-driven

The platform organizes VE requests, student feedback, soundboard responses, and deliverables in one place, so progress doesn't depend on standing meetings.

Subject to VE review

Naming, role language, outreach, workstream scope, and access timing are all subject to Vanderbilt Enterprises review before they go out publicly or to students.

For Students

What participating in the fall pilot looks like

  • Join a workstream aligned to Brand, Strategy, or Fan Engagement
  • Respond to soundboards and open VE questions
  • Submit ideas and contribute to project requests
  • Produce deliverables that Vanderbilt Enterprises can actually use
  • Get platform access as a Student Associate, Workstream Lead, or Operating Lead, depending on role
Looking Ahead

What comes after the fall pilot

Once the fall pilot is underway, VEA and Vanderbilt Enterprises can revisit longer-term structure — including whether and how VEA pursues official recognition. Current status against this structure is tracked on the Launch Timeline.