About Us

The Yale Visitor Center is the front door of the university and welcomes its visitors from around the world. We are located at 149 Elm Street and are open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Please note the following closures for 2024: 

December 22, 2024 - January 1, 2025 

Staff

Nancy Franco
Director

Patrick Pitoniak
Senior Assistant Director of Public Relations and Program Management

Kassandra Haro
Program Administrator and Handsome Dan Handler

John Lisone
Tour Coordinator

Bianca Garcia
Weekend Coordinator

Handsome Dan XIX
Official Yale Mascot

Visitor center staff member working in font of a computer next to a sleeping Handsome Dan.

Exhibits at the Visitor Center

Two exhibits offer a timeline of the university’s history and showcase the achievements of a number of Yale’s graduates and faculty.

Visitors viewing exhibit at the Visitor Center

Home of Handsome Dan

Yale’s most celebrated resident calls the Visitor Center home during the day and loves to meet new people. If he isn’t out making an appearance, you can catch Handsome Dan at the Visitor Center.

Handsome Dan in the Visitor Center

Become a Student Tour Guide

Interested in applying for the hottest student job on campus? We hire a new class of student tour guides each year and encourage you to apply. Applicants must undergo an initial interview and do an audition tour in order to be considered. Learn more by contacting Nancy Franco at nancy.franco@yale.edu.

Student tour guide