UTNY Program

Thinking about taking your talents to New York City? Meet the person who’s been guiding Longhorns through this transformational program for the past three years, Kate Uhlrich! From the moment students start exploring UTNY, they have Kate’s support to help them make this dream a reality. With a background in global internships and student advising at @utaustintx and @uofpenn , Kate brings deep expertise in travel coordination, networking, scholarships and career development. Her passion is helping students grow personally and professionally. “UTNY is more than just a semester or summer in New York. Students advance their academic learning, build their resume, develop their professional skills and try out living in one of the greatest cities in the world.” New York is a global hub for industries such as business, theater, publishing, fashion, tech and media. Kate knows firsthand how the skills and connections students build in NYC can open doors for years to come. Her favorite memory was attending her first Deaf Broadway performance and unexpectedly running into a UTNY student who helped organize the event as part of her internship. “In a city of eight million people, it was a lucky coincidence and a wonderful reminder of the incredible events UTNY students get involved in while in New York.” Kate works with students for months (sometimes years!) before they head to New York. “I enjoy watching students gain confidence and grow into themselves during their college experience. Taking the leap to go outside your comfort zone is hard – and I love seeing students bloom when it pays off.” Have a question about the program or your application? Visit Kate at an information session! After each session, she’s available to chat about your goals, answer your questions, help you explore scholarship opportunities, and guide you through the application process.🤘

Introducing Alice Eckstein, the new @UTNYProgram director! 🗽 Alice is thrilled to join the UTNY team and help students discover what makes New York special: “The way this city serves as a gateway to careers with a global impact, and the creativity and resilience of New York’s communities and the city itself.” With five years at the United Nations and over a decade leading NYU SPS’s Center for Global Affairs, Alice brings a rich international perspective to UTNY. “I’m excited to add that global and multilateral lens to the program and connect students with offices working on human rights, food security, energy policy, and more—so they can get a sense for what an international career in NYC might look like.” Originally from the Midwest, Alice first came to NYC as a college student. “Introducing students to the city’s astonishing energy feels like a perfect fit. I’m excited to complement the curriculum with my background and passions.” She thinks UTNY is a special program for students. “I’m impressed by the entrepreneurial approach to learning and career development. UTNY’s mix of faculty mentorship, alumni networks and industry access creates a powerful launching pad for students ready to explore career pathways in New York in a robust and meaningful way.” Alice sees New York as unmatched for students pursuing careers in business, entertainment or media. “These industries are deeply rooted in their communities but also globally connected. How they interact here fosters a creativity and dynamism that’s uniquely New York.” Most of all, she’s eager to support students during such a pivotal time. “College students inspire me. They’re navigating so much, and every day can open new doors. Being able to turn back to students today and foster their sense of confidence in exploring their interests is so rewarding because I remember what an intense period that was in my own life.” Please help us give Alice a warm UTNY welcome! 🤘

Hi, we’re UTNY!🗽 UTNY gives you the chance to spend a semester in New York City, gaining hands-on experience in your field while taking UT courses and exploring one of the world’s most dynamic cities. Ready to make NYC your next adventure? Apply today using the link our bio! We can’t wait to meet you.🤘

The Spring 2026 semester at UTNY has officially come to a close! Last week, our students participated in a send-off at the UTNY center as they reflected on their time in New York and the ways they grew both personally and professionally. We’re incredibly proud of how you embraced this experience and made it your own and we can’t wait to see where you go on your next journey! Congratulations 🎉

One thing you can learn from participating in @utnyprogram ? That your potential is limitless! That’s exactly what Nico Alvarez’s takeaway was when he was in the Big Apple!  From Brownsville, TX, Nico graduated from @utaustintx in 2024 with a BA in psychology and was part of UTNY in Spring 2023. He is now an experiential producer at Vox Media in NYC! When a email from UTNY landed in his inbox, he applied the same day. “The chance to reset and study in New York City felt like an easy and necessary decision”. Nico found UTNY to be the most valuable part of his college experience! “Not only did I learn from incredible professors, but I also gained a real preview of ‘real life.’ Transitioning from college into a job or job search can feel extremely overwhelming, but once you’ve taken the subway at rush hour from Times Square to Brooklyn, not much else will faze you.”  In the program, he made strong friendships with the other students in the spring cohort. Nico’s favorite memory from his UTNY experience was working on the final project for the Visual and Performing Arts class taught by Abigail Levine, who he considers his favorite UT professor! Working on this project alongside his closest friend in the cohort, @naomiibrady , was an experience he is extremely grateful for. For his internship, Nico worked as a General Management intern at Foundation Artist Management. His work involved supporting colleagues who managed artists like Noah Kahan, Laufey, and Mazie!  “This experience strengthened my ability to work with talent across different areas, but more importantly, it pushed me out of my comfort zone.”  To anyone wondering if they should apply to UTNY, Nico says to “go for it!” Submit your application for the Spring ‘27 cohort by TONIGHT, May 1! 🍎🧡

Meet Insha Noorani, a 2024 BFA in Theatre and Minor in Arts Management graduate who just completed her position as the Company Management Fellow on The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee! From a very young age, she knew she wanted to work in the theater industry, and @utnyprogram gave her the chance to do just that! As part of the Summer ‘23 cohort, Insha said her UTNY experience “felt like a dream,” as the program helped her realize what she wanted to do when she graduated from @utaustintx . She gained insight into different career opportunities in the commercial theater industry and built her network to prepare for the post-grad job search. Not only was the work experience meaningful, she also looked forward to the UTNY courses every week, especially Modernism in American Design and Architecture.  She interned at Jujamcyn Theaters, a theater owner company on Broadway. From working in the houses of some of the most popular Broadway shows, Insha estimates that she watched Hadestown and Moulin Rouge 20 times each! “I learned more about House Management on a commercial scale and the incredible ecosystem that is commercial theater in New York. While I loved house management, this internship helped me realize that I wanted to be more closely involved in the production of a show, which eventually led me to pursuing a career in company management.”  When she left New York to begin her senior year at UT, Insha said she came back to Austin with a newfound confidence in herself. “Through UTNY I was able to meet a lot of young aspiring professionals based in New York and Austin, and built connections that have helped not only my professional growth but my personal growth as well.” Her advice to those applying? “Think about how UTNY will help you not just as a student or young professional, but as a person.” “UTNY was the best experience of my college years! I’ve always felt like I was meant to live here, and UTNY just solidified that feeling for me. I think everyone should live in New York at some point in their life because it truly changes you.” To get one step closer to taking a bite out of the Big Apple, apply for the Spring 2027 semester by May 1! 🍎🧡

UTNY students traded skyscrapers for harbor sea breezes last week as they spent time discovering @governorsisland ! Just minutes from lower Manhattan, the island houses a rich history and now serves as a public area dedicated to the arts and education. While exploring the 172-acre island, Longhorns learned about the space and its emphasis on public access, preservation and development.

Through the UTNY program, students build invaluable industry connections and find a tight-knit creative community. Ellie Nix, a 2025 @utexasrtf graduate and now freelance Production Assistant, emphasizes that the experience transformed her career path! When looking for programs that could ease her transition from school into the professional world, Ellie found UTNY to be the right fit! This program was a “stepping stone” into life after college and gave her a glimpse of what a career in New York could look like.  “I was dropped into a new city with a large cohort of really cool people I probably wouldn’t have met in my normal degree plan,” Ellie emphasized. “I love that UTNY’s connections and community continue even after you’ve completed the program.” Ellie interned at Washington Square Films, a development production company that specializes in commercial and feature film production. Whether it was creating compelling information databases or sitting in on meetings for new commercials going into production, this experience gave her a greater picture of the media industry.  One thing she learned about herself during her time in UTNY was that she was drawn to the speed and constant opportunities for connection that exist in New York. Her favorite part of UTNY? Her Architecture class!  “I loved that once a week, I got to go on a little adventure with a really fun group of people to a place that we would not have otherwise ventured to and got a ton of information about the historical context of the areas and the buildings.” Ellie admires how UTNY’s connections extend beyond the bounds of the semester, and you can be part of this community, too! Be sure to apply for Spring ‘27 by May 1 if you see this as an opportunity for you! 🧡🗽

Learning about the world in the heart of NYC 🌎 UTNY students went behind the scenes at the United Nations New York Headquarters, a global forum for leaders to discuss and address shared challenges in various areas of policy. Students visited the chambers of the Security Council, Economic and Social Council and General Assembly before heading to the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU). Students engaged in conversations with Chief Operations Office Christina McElwaine and Senior Researcher in Multilateralism and Global Governance Michael Franczak at UNU, who spoke to emerging issues such as artificial intelligence and innovative resource mobilization strategies. Thank you to Christina and Michael for giving students the opportunity to learn more!

If you’re looking for a unique way to grow personally and professionally, UTNY is the program for you! Meet Sofia Vargas Karam from Katy, TX who took part in the UTNY program in Summer 2024! She’s a #TEXASMoody Class of 2025 @utjschool alumna now working in marketing. As someone who always dreamed of living in the Big Apple, UTNY felt like the perfect “trial period” to experience both the city and her future career! “[UTNY was] magical and truly something out of a movie. I made lifelong friends, created unforgettable memories, and learned so much about myself and the world around me. Living in a new city, balancing work and school, and navigating everything on my own pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect.” Sofia interned at CultHealth in brand strategy, which showed her a new side of marketing and how much she enjoyed thinking strategically. Her favorite part of her internship? The people! “I was surrounded by incredibly smart, supportive, and inspiring individuals who made the experience even more meaningful. [This internship] helped me better understand my interests and gave me clarity on the kind of career I want to pursue.” The most valuable part of attending the program was the connections, friendships, and independence she gained from living and working in New York. From building strong relationships with mentors like UTNY/UTLA director Noah Isenberg and industry professionals to bonding with her cohort during their trip to the Hamptons, Sofia says UTNY is an experience that “will challenge you, inspire you, and stay with you long after it’s over.” “UTNY pushed me outside of my comfort zone in the best way possible. It helped me grow personally and professionally, and it gave me a clearer sense of who I am and where I want to go.” Apply for the Spring 2027 semester by May 1 for the chance to start your journey in NYC! 🧡🗽

Students in the UTNY program took time to visit the Lincoln Center in New York City and explore the planning and development behind the world-class performance space. Guided by architectural historian Thomas Mellins, students examined how the Lincoln Center emerged as a groundbreaking cultural hub under Robert Moses, while also confronting the history behind its construction, including the displacement of local communities. Students also discovered how contemporary architects are working today to reframe these complex relationships between culture and communities in urban spaces.

UTNY students were given an opportunity to learn more about community funding through the NYC Civic Engagement Commission last month! The NYC Civic Engagement Commission works to help New York residents identify and address local issues and increase access to services. Special thanks to Senior Adviser Benjamin Solotaire and Director of Citywide Participatory Budgeting Hillary Carelli-Donnell for providing such an insightful experience!