NYU Stern Class of 2026 Cites AI, NYC Network for Career Readiness

A Tribute Video Featuring Candidates from the Graduate Class of 2026 — NYU Stern

NYU Stern

Graduates conclude that combining generative artificial intelligence and deep New York City corporate access with high emotional intelligence yields a lasting career edge over traditional cutthroat business school cultures.

AI-assisted summary of A Tribute Video Featuring Candidates from the Graduate Class of 2026 — original source. Check the original for full context.

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Key ideas

  • NYU Stern's Graduate Class of 2026 celebrated their convocation with reflections emphasizing New York City's role as an extended classroom, bridging academic theory with direct industry immersion and visits from prominent startup founders. (2:00)
  • The graduating cohort highlighted a distinct institutional ethos balancing IQ and EQ, actively rejecting competitive business school stereotypes in favor of mutual support and a culture of paying it forward. (1:06)
  • Experiential coursework through global 'Doing Business in...' treks provided hands-on international market consulting across destinations including Florence, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. (4:05)
  • Stern integrated artificial intelligence directly into the learning experience, conditioning students to treat generative AI agents as strategic thought partners to accelerate workflows and support ethical decision-making. (6:59)

Detailed notes

## Background Published by NYU Stern on YouTube on September 22, 2026, this tribute video was originally presented at Stern's Graduate Convocation on Friday, May 15, 2026. The video showcases graduating candidates from the Graduate Class of 2026 reflecting on their experiences, memories, and time in the program.

## TL;DR Graduating students reflect on what made their NYU Stern journey distinctive, emphasizing the unmatched advantage of New York City as an extended classroom alongside Stern's culture of mutual support and 'paying it forward.' They highlight memorable global treks, impactful mentorship from faculty with deep industry ties, and an innovative curriculum that embraced emerging AI tools as modern thought partners. The tribute finishes with fond farewells, program-specific cheers, and rallying cries as students celebrate their shared community before stepping out into the global workforce.

## Atmosphere & style The video carries an uplifting, celebratory, and bittersweet tone that balances ambitious professional pride with genuine warmth. An upbeat, montage-style narrative weaves together diverse graduate voices, shifting smoothly between thoughtful reflections on personal growth and bursty, laughter-filled inside jokes and cohort shout-outs. The viewing experience feels like an energetic, affectionate victory lap rooted in deep camaraderie, capturing the lively mix of intellectual drive and emotional awareness that defines the student body.

## Bulletin - [02:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=120s) NYU Stern's Graduate Class of 2026 celebrated their convocation with reflections emphasizing New York City's role as an extended classroom, bridging academic theory with direct industry immersion and visits from prominent startup founders. - [01:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=66s) The graduating cohort highlighted a distinct institutional ethos balancing IQ and EQ, actively rejecting competitive business school stereotypes in favor of mutual support and a culture of paying it forward. - [04:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=245s) Experiential coursework through global 'Doing Business in...' treks provided hands-on international market consulting across destinations including Florence, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. - [06:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=419s) Stern integrated artificial intelligence directly into the learning experience, conditioning students to treat generative AI agents as strategic thought partners to accelerate workflows and support ethical decision-making.

## Key takeaways - [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=1s) Stern's location in New York City provides students with seamless access to global corporate headquarters, venture capital, and internships alongside rigorous coursework. - [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=1s) The student culture actively counters hyper-competitive business school stereotypes through an ingrained commitment to emotional intelligence and paying generosity forward. - [01:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=66s) Graduates define the ideal 'Sternie' as a well-rounded, inquisitive go-getter combining high intellectual ability with strong emotional awareness. - [02:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=120s) Direct classroom engagement with high-profile industry pioneers, such as the co-founders of Wikipedia and SoulCycle, converts business theory into practical mentorship. - [02:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=178s) The community places high value on student leadership and peer support, fostering an environment where candidates consistently celebrate each other's career and personal wins. - [04:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=245s) International 'Doing Business in...' courses combined academic rigor with cultural immersion, challenging students to resolve market-entry hurdles in regions like Italy and South Africa. - [05:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=316s) Collaborative project work across a globally diverse student body prepared graduates to lead distributed teams in multinational business environments. - [06:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=361s) Faculty mentorship stood out through professors who brought real-time industry practice into the classroom while providing dedicated personal and academic guidance. - [06:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=419s) Generative artificial intelligence was integrated as a collaborative thought partner, empowering candidates to automate routine tasks and focus on higher-level strategic problem-solving. - [07:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=473s) Key leadership takeaways centered on learning how to transform systemic business challenges and developing the confidence to lead with empathy. - [07:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=473s) The graduating class encompasses specialized programs and student networks including Quantitative Economics, Business Analytics and AI, Luxury & Retail, LABA, and SWIB. - [10:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=621s) Student leaders in the Langone Student Government and professional clubs reflected on the stamina required to balance rigorous degree requirements with active community-building.

## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=1s) Why Stern: Academic Rigor, New York City, and the Culture of Paying It Forward

The tribute opens with graduating students reflecting on what drew them to NYU Stern in the first place. For many, the overriding magnet was Stern’s unmatched geographic advantage in New York City, described by one graduate as being situated right in "the mecca of the world." This setting unlocks an effortless rhythm between academic learning and industry practice; students recall the thrill of slipping out to a corporate headquarters for a lunch meeting and heading right back to campus for an afternoon seminar. Beyond the location, graduates point to Stern’s balance of academic rigor, immediate access to the global business landscape, and world-class faculty as foundational reasons for enrolling.

Equally central was the school's distinct cultural warmth. Countering the cutthroat reputation often associated with elite business schools, students emphasize that Stern cultivates an environment where fierce intelligence and competitive drive sit alongside genuine celebration of peer success. The institutional ethos of "paying it forward" is palpable from day one, inspiring candidates to join a community where they could receive unconditional support and later extend the exact same generosity to incoming Sternies.

[01:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=66s) Defining the "Sternie": A Tapestry of Drive, Empathy, and Curiosity

When asked to describe the essence of a "Sternie" in a single word, graduates offer an energetic portrait of their classmates. Rather than standard professional ambition, one student characterizes them as "go-getters" pursuing a holistic lifestyle that extends far beyond corporate resumes and title chasing. Others highlight the rare combination of high intellectual and emotional awareness, joking that being "emotionally aware" counts as their chosen descriptor despite technically being two words. Sternies are described as selfless, relentlessly supportive, and deeply inquisitive individuals with whom one can debate "anything under the sun" because their curiosity is bottomless.

- **Words used by graduates to define a Sternie:** - *Go-getters* (pursuing a holistic, well-rounded lifestyle beyond basic career goals) - *Selfless* (eager to help peers across every leg of their journey) - *Adventurous* and *Resilient* - *Collaborative* (defying competitive business school stereotypes) - *Relentless* (always bustling and pushing toward personal and mutual growth) - *Driven* and *Innovative* - *Emotionally aware* (embodying Stern's core emphasis on both IQ and EQ) - *Inquisitive* (marked by boundless curiosity across all subjects)

[02:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=120s) New York City as an Extended Classroom: From SoulCycle to Silicon Alley

The conversation turns to the pulse of New York City and how the metropolis seamlessly merges with the classroom. While widely acknowledged as the financial capital of the world, students emphasize that New York serves as the nexus of everything—spanning tech, telecom, media, entertainment, and the arts. Academic routines regularly blend with cultural life, from spontaneous Broadway outings to campus visits by global industry leaders. Graduates recall intimate classroom exchanges with prominent entrepreneurs, including the co-founders of Wikipedia and SoulCycle, which transform abstract theory into direct mentorship.

For many candidates, the city acts as an open laboratory for career building and venture creation. Students describe a daily whirlwind of hopping between campus lectures, running cross-town for coffee chats with startup founders and venture investors, and working jobs in Silicon Alley before regrouping with classmates for evening happy hours. As one graduate summarizes, the proximity forces an active mindset: "you have to go to where the opportunities are."

[02:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=178s) Community, Student Leadership, and the Balance of IQ + EQ

The hallmark of the Stern experience remains the interpersonal connections forged inside the building. Students express deep admiration for their peers, whom they describe as not only brilliant and on the cutting edge across sectors, but fundamentally kind, grounded, and fun to be around. Multiple graduates remark that the true magic of Stern stems from its intentional combination of intellectual horsepower and emotional intelligence (IQ + EQ), creating an "intangible awesome vibe" that is impossible to replicate elsewhere.

Student leaders receive particular praise for their stamina and altruism, balancing intense course loads and demanding professional commitments while still dedicating hours to building community initiatives. This shared ethos creates a lasting loyalty among classmates, summarized neatly by one student's guiding maxim: "Stern will treat you well, but Sternies will always treat you better."

[04:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=245s) Global Immersions: Doing Business in International Markets

Global learning through "Doing Business in..." (DBi) courses and industry-specific cohorts gave graduates firsthand exposure to international markets. These treks blended strategic business consulting with unforgettable cultural adventures across continents:

```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: Global Immersions and DBi Courses accDescr: Highlights of international destinations and key student activities during Stern DBi treks.

subgraph Europe A["Florence, Italy<br/>(Luxury & Retail: U.S. olive oil launch)"] B["Paris, France<br/>(DBi coursework)"] C["Cannes, France<br/>(Spike Lee honoring Denzel Washington)"] end

subgraph AsiaPacific ["Asia-Pacific & Africa"] D["Sydney, Australia<br/>(Coogee Beach Bar & Caterpillar Club)"] E["Queenstown, New Zealand<br/>(25-person bungee & paragliding weekend)"] F["South Africa<br/>(Navigating local market challenges & wins)"] G["Morocco<br/>(Camel riding across desert dunes)"] end

subgraph Americas H["Domestic Treks<br/>(San Francisco & Seattle tech treks)"] end ```

The programs pushed students to grapple with real-world complexities abroad. In South Africa, candidates analyzed both the successes and structural hurdles of emerging-market commerce, while the Luxury and Retail cohort in Florence assisted an authentic Italian olive oil brand in strategizing its U.S. market launch. Alongside the academic rigor came peak bonding moments: taking in Cannes to watch Spike Lee present Denzel Washington with a premier cinema honor, camel trekking through Moroccan dunes, visiting the Coogee Beach Bar and Caterpillar Club in Sydney, and an adrenaline-fueled excursion to Queenstown, New Zealand, where 25 classmates spent a weekend bungee jumping and paragliding together.

[05:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=316s) Global Perspective and Collaborative Learning Across Borders

Students note that Stern’s curriculum deliberately avoids insular, micro-level thinking. Every case study and business dynamic is evaluated on an authentic global scale, enriched directly by the diverse origins of the student body. With classmates hailing from across Europe, South America, and Asia—and spanning varying stages of professional seniority—group collaborations naturally mirror the modern international workplace. Whether teaming up on deliverables with a peer in Paris or Singapore, graduates credit this cross-border dynamic with conditioning them to thrive in multinational, distributed teams.

[06:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=361s) Faculty Mentorship: Industry Realism and Compassionate Teaching

When discussing the faculty who shaped their journeys, graduates highlight professors who combined rigorous academic instruction with active industry experience and genuine pastoral care. Rather than remaining distant lecturers, professors are celebrated for pushing students out of their comfort zones while offering unwavering personal support. Several faculty members receive special gratitude for their transformational impact:

- **Professor Yeo** and **Professor Ian D'Souza** (with one graduate noting the rare privilege of having taken D'Souza's courses four separate times) - **Mike North**, spotlighted for his impactful teachings in leadership - **Nate Pettit** and **Paula Goldfarb**, with the latter credited for fundamentally changing a student's life trajectory - **Dan Gode**, celebrated for his analytical and accounting instruction - **Ilan Lobel**, **Diane Lennard**, and **Haran Segram** - **Thomaï Serdari**, faculty lead for the Luxury and Retail cohort, praised as a deeply inspirational mentor who cares intensely about the holistic success of her students

Graduates emphasize how rewarding it was to learn from adjunct and core professors who actively spend their days working in industry and bring that fresh, real-time insight directly to the evening seminar table.

[06:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=419s) Embracing Artificial Intelligence as a Modern Thought Partner

Rather than resisting disruptive technological shifts, NYU Stern actively leaned into the rise of artificial intelligence, urging students to explore generative AI agents and emerging tools. Graduates describe an academic environment that insisted on curiosity over apprehension, teaching students to embrace AI responsibly and constructively.

Rather than viewing the technology as a shortcut or a replacement for critical reasoning, graduates learned to deploy AI as a sophisticated "thought partner." Candidates credit this framing with helping them onboard faster in professional roles, streamline product launch workflows, and eliminate routine busywork so they can devote high-value energy to strategic and ethical considerations. The prevailing mindset emphasized leveraging AI to generate novel solutions and make a measurable positive impact on society.

[07:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=473s) Enduring Lessons, Bittersweet Farewells, and Convocation Cheers

Reflecting on their greatest takeaways, students cite deep personal transformation: discovering how they want to show up as empathetic leaders, learning how to reshape complex systems rather than merely executing fixed strategies, and acquiring the confidence to converse with anyone across diverse subject matters. Above all, they treasure the human community. As graduation arrives, students express deep sadness at leaving behind the daily rhythm of walking into a building and seeing hundreds of close friends, the late-night cross-time-zone study marathons, and the spirited intellectual debates with peers who consistently cheered for one another to shine.

The tribute concludes with celebratory cheers, inside jokes, and farewells shouted out to specific programs, clubs, and student circles across the Class of 2026:

- Heartfelt congratulations to the **Langone LSG** cohort. - A proud salute to fellow graduates of the **Master of Science in Quantitative Economics (MSQE)**, referencing Nobel laureate Thomas Sargent: *"Finding the state is the art, now we are the state of the art."* - Celebrations from the **Latin American Business Association (LABA)** and **Stern FC** with a resounding *"¡Vamos!"* - Salutes to the **Stern Women in Business (SWIB)** community. - Recognition for student leadership groups and traditions, including **SGov** (Student Government), **Stern Follies**, and **GEMS**. - Cheers to the **Fintech Class of 2026** for persevering through their intensive curriculum. - Affectionate personal shout-outs to the "Stern sippers," the "GNO girls," and the "Ilha Grande survivors" as the graduates officially mark their transition to alumni.

[10:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=621s) Farewell Wishes, Program Shout-Outs, and Looking Forward

The closing moments of the tribute video feature a rapid sequence of heartfelt farewells, student organization acknowledgments, and program-specific cheers from graduating NYU Stern students. Reflecting on a "wonderful ride" over the preceding two years, graduates express anticipation for everything their classmates will achieve in their upcoming personal and professional chapters. Student leadership and campus involvement feature prominently, with one speaker giving a special shout-out to the vice presidents at student organizations STA and SABAS for making the past two years unforgettable, while another highlights their "Block Six" peers, their "GMA girlies," and offers deep gratitude to their husband for serving as their rock throughout the rigorous program.

Students across diverse academic tracks take turns celebrating their respective cohorts and milestones. Congratulatory messages pour in for specialized degree communities, including the Master of Science in Quantitative Management program, the Luxury & Retail MBA cohort of 2026—celebrated for a year of shared learning and personal growth—and the Master of Science in Business Analytics and AI. Student government leaders step forward as well, with an LSG co-president sharing what an honor it was to serve alongside co-president Mayadun, declaring that they "truly had the time of our lives" before urging the class to "get after it."

The tributes conclude on an exuberant and forward-looking note, balancing humorous bravado with heartfelt gratitude. Reflecting on a packed twelve-month journey, one graduate issues a confident challenge directly to corporate recruiters, stating, "to our future employers, I just want to say bring it on." Between personal thank-yous to supportive mothers and calls to "go shake up this world," the final message addresses the broader NYU Stern MBA Class of 2026, reminding them of the strong community they spent years cultivating and urging everyone to keep those bonds alive long after graduation.

- **Student groups and cohorts recognized**: STA, SABAS, Block Six, GMA ("GMA girlies"), the MS in Quantitative Management program, the Luxury & Retail cohort of 2026, the MS in Business Analytics and AI, and the Langone Student Government (LSG). - **Key leadership mentions**: The LSG co-president recognized fellow co-leader Mayadun for guiding the student body through an unforgettable term. - **Rallying cries for the future**: Classmates encouraged one another to stay connected, carry forward the community they built, and confidently face the workforce with an attitude of "bring it on."

## Notable quotes > [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=1s) the mecca of the world

> [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=1s) paying it forward

> [01:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=66s) emotionally aware

> [01:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=66s) anything under the sun

> [02:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=120s) you have to go to where the opportunities are

> [02:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=178s) Stern will treat you well, but Sternies will always treat you better.

> [06:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=419s) thought partner

> [07:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=473s) Finding the state is the art, now we are the state of the art.

> [07:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=473s) ¡Vamos!

> [10:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=621s) truly had the time of our lives

> [10:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=621s) get after it

> [10:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=621s) to our future employers, I just want to say bring it on.

> [10:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc&t=621s) go shake up this world

## Mentioned NYU Stern, New York City, Wikipedia, SoulCycle, Silicon Alley, Doing Business in... (DBi), Florence, Paris, Cannes, Spike Lee, Denzel Washington, Sydney, Coogee Beach Bar, Caterpillar Club, Queenstown, South Africa, Morocco, San Francisco, Seattle, Professor Yeo, Ian D'Souza, Mike North, Nate Pettit, Paula Goldfarb, Dan Gode, Ilan Lobel, Diane Lennard, Haran Segram, Thomaï Serdari, Langone LSG, Master of Science in Quantitative Economics (MSQE), Thomas Sargent, Latin American Business Association (LABA), Stern FC, Stern Women in Business (SWIB), SGov, Stern Follies, GEMS, STA, SABAS, Block Six, GMA, Master of Science in Quantitative Management, Master of Science in Business Analytics and AI, Mayadun

## Video description This video was presented at Stern's Graduate Convocation on Friday, May 15, 2026. See additional features here: https://www.stern.nyu.edu/graduation/archive

[Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRrjXgqqCc)

中文简报

NYU Stern 2026届毕业生称AI与纽约人脉网络赋能职业就绪力 毕业生认为，将生成式人工智能、纽约市深厚的企业资源与高情商相结合，相比传统商学院残酷竞争的文化，能够带来更持久的职业优势。 毕业生回顾了他们在NYU Stern的独特求学之旅，强调纽约市作为延伸课堂所带来的无可比拟的优势，以及Stern相互支持与“互助回馈”的文化氛围。他们特别提到了令人难忘的全球游学考察、拥有深厚行业资源的教授指导，以及将新兴AI工具视作现代思维伙伴的创新课程。在迈入全球职场之际，学生们共庆同窗情谊，以依依惜别、特定项目的欢呼和口号为毕业致敬画上句号。 NYU Stern 2026届研究生在毕业典礼上分享感悟，强调纽约市作为延伸课堂所发挥的作用，将学术理论与直接的行业浸润以及知名初创企业创始人的到访紧密结合。 (2:00) 本届毕业生强调了一种兼顾智商与情商的独特院校精神，主动摒弃商学院恶意竞争的刻板印象，推崇相互支持与互助回馈的文化。 (1:06) 通过全球“Doing Business in...”考察游学的体验式课程，学生在佛罗伦萨、南非、澳大利亚和新西兰等多个目的地开展了国际市场实战咨询。 (4:05) Stern将人工智能直接融入教学体验，引导学生将生成式AI智能体视为战略思维伙伴，以加速工作流程并辅助伦理决策。 (6:59)

Reading summary

Graduating candidates from NYU Stern’s Class of 2026 attribute their academic and professional development to the school's integration with New York City, a culture combining intellectual and emotional intelligence, and curricular exposure ranging from global business immersions to practical artificial intelligence applications. New York City as an Industry Classroom (2:00) Graduates emphasize that Stern's location in New York City establishes an ongoing exchange between theoretical instruction and real-time commerce. Described by candidates as a central hub for finance, technology, media, and the arts, the urban setting enabled students to routinely alternate between morning lectures, corporate headquarters visits, and cross-town networking meetings with startup founders and venture investors in Silicon Alley. The metropolitan environment also entered the classroom through direct executive engagements, including sessions with the co-founders of Wikipedia and SoulCycle. Students note that this geographic proximity removed barriers between academic study and active industry practice, encouraging candidates to pursue hands-on commercial opportunities alongside their coursework. Collaborative Culture Balancing IQ and EQ (2:58) Countering perceptions of cutthroat business school environments, graduates describe a community centered on mutual encouragement and an established practice of "paying it forward." When characterizing the student body, candidates emphasize a dual focus on intellectual capacity and emotional intelligence (IQ + EQ), using descriptors such as "collaborative," "inquisitive," "go-getters," and "selfless." Student leaders across organizations such as the Langone Student Government (LSG) and Student Government (SGov) were highlighted for balancing rigorous course commitments with community initiatives. Graduates observe that while academic standards were demanding, peers prioritized celebrating classmates' recruitment successes and maintaining open, cross-disciplinary debates over competitive posturing. Global Immersions and Cross-Border Learning (4:05) Stern's curriculum incorporated direct international exposure through "Doing Business in..." (DBi) courses, cohort treks, and domestic industry trips to tech hubs like San Francisco and Seattle. In Florence, students in the Luxury and Retail cohort consulted with a local Italian olive oil brand on its U.S. market launch strategy, while students traveling to South Africa analyzed the operational hurdles and commercial frameworks of an emerging market. Graduates note that case study discussions and group assignments—completed alongside peers from Europe, South America, and Asia—trained them to navigate distributed, multinational work environments. These international programs also functioned as primary cohort bonding experiences, including cultural excursions in Morocco, Sydney, and Queenstown, New Zealand. Faculty Guidance, Practical AI, and Cohort Farewell (6:01) Students point to faculty mentors—including Thomaï Serdari, Paula Goldfarb, Ian D'Souza, Mike North, and Dan Gode—for translating active market experience into classroom instruction and providing sustained pastoral support. Alongside foundational instruction, the curriculum urged students to treat generative artificial intelligence as an analytical "thought partner." Candidates credit this training with helping them automate administrative tasks, accelerate onboarding, and preserve cognitive capacity for strategic and ethical considerations. Reflections conclude with tributes from varied specialized programs, including the Master of Science in Quantitative Economics (MSQE), the MS in Business Analytics and AI, the MS in Quantitative Management, and the Luxury & Retail MBA. Student representatives offered acknowledgments to affinity and social clubs such as SWIB, LABA, and Stern FC, expressing confidence in entering the workforce while urging classmates to maintain their community ties. The source reflects the retrospective viewpoints and celebratory sentiments of graduating students from the NYU Stern Class of 2026. Because these observations originate from a graduation tribute, they capture peer appreciation and favorable programmatic impressions rather than a critical or external evaluation of the business school.

Source quotes

[0:01] the mecca of the world [0:01] paying it forward [1:06] emotionally aware [1:06] anything under the sun [2:00] you have to go to where the opportunities are [2:58] Stern will treat you well, but Sternies will always treat you better. [6:59] thought partner [7:53] Finding the state is the art, now we are the state of the art. [7:53] ¡Vamos! [10:21] truly had the time of our lives [10:21] get after it [10:21] to our future employers, I just want to say bring it on. [10:21] go shake up this world

Original transcript

[0:01] (gentle music) [0:20] - I chose to come to Stern [0:21] because it's located in the mecca of the world. [0:24] - I chose Stern because of its academic rigor, [0:27] the access to the global business community, [0:29] and also world-class faculty. [0:32] - I love being able to go to [0:34] a corporate headquarters at lunchtime [0:36] and then come back to school [0:37] and have a class in the afternoon. [0:39] - Stern kind of gave this atmosphere of we are competitive, [0:42] we are intelligent, [0:43] but we also celebrate other people's successes. [0:45] - It offers one of the best communities out there, [0:48] the smartest, kindest, most collaborative people. [0:50] - That idea of paying it forward [0:52] was so prominent the minute I stepped onto campus, [0:55] and so I knew I wanted to be at a campus [0:57] where I would be able to do that for the future Sternies. [1:06] - I would describe a Sternie in one word as "go-getters," [1:09] but not in the typical sense. [1:11] It's deeper than just the job and the career that we want. [1:14] It's this holistic lifestyle that we're going after. [1:17] - Selfless. People are willing to help you [1:19] in any part of your journey. [1:20] - Adventurous. [1:21] Stern fosters adventurous people. [1:24] - Collaborative. [1:24] When you come to NYU Stern, you would think, [1:26] oh, it's going to be a very competitive school, [1:28] but it's actually quite the opposite. [1:30] - Resilient. [1:31] - Relentless in the best way. [1:33] Everyone here is always bustling [1:36] and always pushing themselves to grow. [1:38] - I'll describe a Sternie in one word, as "driven." [1:40] - I would describe a Sternie as "emotionally aware." [1:44] Although that's two words. [1:46] - Innovative. [1:47] - I mean, it's gotta be inquisitive. [1:49] They're so curious. [1:51] I can talk with people in this building [1:52] about anything under the sun [1:54] and they always want to know more. [2:00] (upbeat music) [2:04] - People always say New York City, [2:05] it's the capital of finance, [2:07] but really it's the capital of everything. [2:09] - The nexus of tech, media, telecom, financial services. [2:12] - We go to Broadway shows all the time. [2:14] There's always something to do. [2:15] - And what else is here? [2:16] Every company known to mankind. [2:18] - Being in class, having CEOs come to class [2:21] and talk to you personally [2:22] - We had the Wikipedia co-founder come. [2:25] We've had the SoulCycle co-founder come. [2:28] - It essentially merges the professional [2:31] and academic environments almost into one. [2:34] - I ran around the City with coffee chats, [2:37] meeting with mixers and founders and investors, [2:40] and I feel like you have to go to [2:42] where the opportunities are. [2:44] - There are times where I would come to class, [2:46] go to work in Silicon Alley, [2:47] go back to class, and then go to happy hour afterward. [2:53] (gentle music) [2:58] - Stern's a really special place [3:00] where you can work alongside a bunch of brilliant people, [3:04] but they also feel like folks [3:05] that you want to get to know better, [3:07] that you want to be friends with. [3:08] - I didn't just want to learn from school, [3:09] I kind of wanted to learn from my peers [3:11] and every single person that you meet is successful, driven, [3:15] and just interesting and cool. [3:17] - Being able to just come together with a group of people [3:19] that are on the cutting edge of technology, innovation, [3:22] and that's true across every sector. [3:24] - I have access to people across New York [3:26] and across the world [3:27] is something that I could never find elsewhere. [3:30] - There's a certain intangible awesome vibe [3:32] that we have here at Stern, [3:34] and I think that is the combination of IQ and EQ. [3:37] - The people that inspire me the most at Stern [3:39] are the student leaders. [3:40] They have work, they go to class [3:42] and they have the energy and the drive [3:44] to want to contribute to the community even more. [3:46] - I tell people Stern will treat you well, [3:47] but Sternies will always treat you better, [3:48] and I think that sense of community [3:50] is something that's uniquely a Stern quality [3:52] and irreplaceable. [3:57] (gentle music) [4:05] - During my time at Stern, [4:06] I had the opportunity to travel to Australia [4:08] to do the Australia DBi in Sydney. [4:10] - Our Luxury and Retail cohort, [4:12] got to spend a little over a week in Florence, Italy. [4:14] - I was just in Paris with the DBi. [4:16] - We did San Francisco and Seattle, [4:18] so that's been a highlight for sure. [4:21] - DBi South Africa. [4:23] I think the most important part [4:24] is being able to see the wins, [4:26] but also the challenges [4:27] that come with doing business in these countries. [4:30] - We were able to help an Italian olive oil brand [4:34] launch their olive oil in the U.S. [4:36] - One highlight from my Cannes trip was [4:39] when we got to see Spike Lee give Denzel Washington [4:42] the biggest award in film. [4:44] - In Morocco, being able to ride camels in dunes [4:47] with my classmates was a really fun experience. [4:50] - Awesome time at the Coogey Beach Bar [4:52] and at Caterpillar Club in Australia. [4:55] - Most of the class in DBi New Zealand [4:57] flew down to Queenstown [4:58] to have just a fun weekend of bungee jumping [5:01] and paragliding and like extreme sports, [5:05] and we did this with a group of like 25 people. [5:06] It was probably one of the best weekends of my life. [5:10] (gentle music) [5:16] - Anything that we learn about is never within a microcosm. [5:19] We're thinking about it on a global scale [5:22] and a truly global scale. [5:23] - This program and people from all around the world [5:26] bring in their experience. [5:28] - Whether there's their experience in South America [5:30] or their experience in Europe or Asia [5:32] and having all that come together when you're learning [5:35] as you're learning together [5:36] is something I think you can't find anywhere else. [5:38] - We have a mix of classmates across the world, [5:41] various years of experience, [5:43] so the different perspectives [5:45] makes a really interesting mix. [5:47] - You might be partnered up with someone [5:48] in Paris or Singapore. [5:50] It trains you to work with people from all over the world. [5:54] (gentle music) [6:01] - My favorite Stern professor is Professor Yeo. [6:04] - If I had to pick one, I'd be Professor Ian D'Souza. [6:07] I've had the privilege of taking him four times. [6:09] - I'll give a shout out to Mike North who taught leadership. [6:13] - My favorite professor would have to be Nate Pettit. [6:16] - Paula Goldfarb, she completely changed my life. [6:19] - I would have to say my favorite Stern professor [6:22] is Professor Dan Gode. [6:24] - Ilan Lobel. [6:25] - It's probably Professor Diane Lennard. [6:27] - One professor that has definitely inspired me [6:29] is Haran Segram. [6:30] - I would say the Luxury and Retail faculty lead, [6:33] Professor Thomaï Serdari [6:34] has been the most inspirational person to me. [6:37] She just cares so much about her students. [6:39] - The Stern faculty in particular are, [6:41] they're very kind, very compassionate. [6:43] They push you, but they care about you. [6:46] - I was super excited that I'd be working with people [6:48] who are in their day jobs every single day, [6:51] working in the industry, [6:53] and then they're able to come teach us [6:54] what they worked on during the day. [6:56] (gentle music) [6:59] - NYU has done a really good job [7:01] in thinking about technology. [7:04] There's so many new tools to use [7:05] and AI agents and AI is just the new frontier. [7:09] - We are actually very much encouraged to use, [7:12] you know, emerging technologies such as AI. [7:15] They're always telling you to be curious. [7:17] NYU tells you to embrace it [7:19] instead of shying away from it. [7:21] - Now, when I think of AI, [7:22] I think of it as a thought partner [7:24] and I brought that into the workplace [7:26] so I can onboard much quicker, [7:28] I can launch products much quicker. [7:30] - You just have to learn [7:31] what are like the best ways [7:32] that you can use AI in your work? [7:34] Not to replace critical thinking, [7:36] but being able to spend your time [7:38] where it actually matters. [7:39] - I think about the responsibility of using it ethically [7:42] and obviously making the best out of it [7:45] to make sure that we create new ideas [7:47] to make sure that we make the world better. [7:49] (gentle music) [7:53] - I would say the most important thing [7:55] that I've learned at Stern [7:56] is really focusing on how I want to show up as a leader. [7:59] - One of the main things I'm walking out the front door with [8:02] is the ability to communicate with anyone and everyone [8:04] on any subject matter. [8:06] - Now I'm thinking more ahead of [8:08] how to embrace leadership [8:10] and become part of that change [8:11] and how to change a system [8:13] rather than just executing a simple strategy. [8:16] - The most important thing I learned at Stern [8:18] is probably the importance of [8:20] your network and your community. [8:22] - I think I'm going to miss the friendships [8:25] that I have here of coming every single day on campus [8:28] and seeing my close, close friends. [8:30] - I think I'll definitely miss the people [8:32] - Being able to like argue and discuss and have discourse. [8:35] It's something I'm definitely going to miss. [8:37] - I would miss the late night sessions. [8:40] There are people across time zones we operated [8:42] and the ability to be open and to challenge each other. [8:46] - I've found some of my closest friends. [8:48] - I'll definitely miss the ability to walk into a room [8:51] and meet new friends, the community, the home. [8:53] - Definitely the people, the community. [8:55] I made so many friends. [8:57] - I think what I'm just going to miss most is seeing [8:59] like 300 of my best friends every single day. [9:02] - I feel like everybody has been so kind to me, [9:05] so welcoming and so supportive. [9:08] It's like everybody just wants me to shine. [9:11] - Class of 2026, congratulations. [9:13] We did it. [9:14] Let's go out, celebrate tonight. [9:16] Let's do great things and let's stay in touch. [9:19] - Congratulations to the Class of 2026 [9:21] and a special shout out to my Langone LSG besties. [9:24] We did it. [9:24] - Congratulations to all my fellow graduates [9:27] in the Master's of Quantitative Economics. [9:29] As Thomas Sergeant said, "Finding the state is the art, [9:33] now we are the state of the art." [9:35] Congratulations. [9:36] - Congratulations, Class of 2026. [9:39] I'm looking forward to staying in touch [9:41] and seeing all the amazing things we're going to accomplish. [9:44] Big shout out to LABA and Stern FC. [9:47] Vamos. [9:48] - Congrats to everybody here at Stern [9:50] for graduating, Class of 2026. [9:52] I'm so proud of you, [9:53] but an extra special congratulations [9:55] to my friends and my community in SWIB. [9:57] We did it. [9:58] - Special shout outs to SGov, Follies and GEMS. [10:01] Now let's go take everything [10:02] we've learned from these experiences [10:03] and make not just Stern a better place, [10:05] but the world a better place. [10:06] - Congratulations, Fintech Class of 2026. [10:10] We showed up, we pushed through and we did it. [10:13] - Special shout out to my Stern sippers, my GNO girls [10:16] and my Ilha Grande survivors. [10:18] I love you all. [10:20] - Congratulations, Sternies. [10:21] It's been a wonderful ride with you [10:22] over the last couple of years. [10:24] Excited to see all that we're going to achieve. [10:26] Good luck. [10:27] - It has been such an amazing two years [10:29] and I want to give a huge shout out [10:30] to my VPs at STA and SABAS. [10:32] You guys have made it so amazing. [10:34] Congratulations, everyone. [10:36] - Special shout out block six, my GMA girlies [10:39] and most importantly, my husband [10:41] who has been my rock throughout this program. [10:43] - Congratulations, Sternies. [10:45] We did it. [10:46] Thank you for being a great community [10:48] and I look forward to seeing all that we accomplish in life. [10:51] - Congratulations, everyone, [10:52] especially my friends in the Master's of Science [10:54] and Quantitative Management Program. [10:56] We did it, guys. [10:57] - Congratulations to the Luxury and Retail cohort of 2026. [11:00] I've loved learning [11:01] and growing alongside all of you this year. [11:03] We did it. [11:04] - Congratulations, Class of 2026 [11:06] and a special mention [11:07] to the MS in Business Analytics and AI. [11:09] We did it, guys. [11:10] - Congrats Sternies, we have made it. [11:12] It's been an honor leading [11:13] as your LSG Co-president with Mayadun. [11:16] We have truly had the time of our lives. [11:18] Now let's get after it. [11:20] - Congratulations to the Class of 2026. [11:23] Let's go shake up this world. [11:24] - It's been a packed 12 months, but now we're graduating. [11:27] And to our future employers, [11:29] I just want to say bring it on. [11:31] - Woo, we did it. [11:33] And a special message to my mom. [11:35] I love you. [11:36] - NYU Stern, MBA Class of 2026, [11:38] congratulations, we did it. [11:40] We spent so much time building this community. [11:42] Let's keep that going in the future. [11:45] You got this. [11:47] (gentle music)