Students

Mentorship Matters: Q+A with Charlotte MacNeal '25

Charlotte MacNeal

Class of 2025

As a Pace student, Charlotte serves as a peer leader, resident assistant, and volunteer in a peer mentoring program that supports a Pace student with physical mobility challenges.

Please tell us more about these experiences and how they have been meaningful to you.

Mentorship is a cornerstone of every good system, and at Pace, I’ve had the opportunity and privilege to be both a mentee and a mentor. I have found my work as a peer leader (a co-instructor and helping hand in University 101 classes as freshmen transition into college life), resident assistant, and volunteer mentor for a Pace student with mobility challenges to be both humbling and rewarding. These latter experiences especially have offered me new perspectives from diverse individuals and reminded me that every point of view matters. I feel incredibly grateful to participate, however small, in the growth and development of these amazing students on their academic journeys.

How did you become interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology?

I have wanted to study psychology since childhood. I also believe that my people-oriented skills are my greatest strengths, and I wanted to see what would be possible if I cultivated these aspects of myself. I have also always been fascinated with the way the mind works and I have loved learning about the different aspects in my classes.

Why did you choose to attend Pace?

I chose Pace because I wanted to be in New York City, with its wealth of opportunities and diversity of experiences, but was also excited to be accepted into the Honors College and liked both the mission of our university, Opportunitas, and was inspired by the “Go Getter” persona of the Pace student. I am happy with my decision, as I have truly enjoyed my time here thus far.

What have your experiences been like with the New York Psychology Department? How has faculty been instrumental in your academic journey?

My experiences with the New York Psychology Department have been extremely positive. The faculty are very knowledgeable and facilitate fascinating conversations in classes, and I have found course material to be applicable both within and outside the classroom. Professor Michele Zaccario, PhD, the co-director of undergraduate programs in the department, has been an amazing resource and mentor, helping me become involved with volunteer mentoring opportunities, as well as advocating on my behalf for career advancements. I am incredibly grateful for her support throughout my time as a student.

I chose Pace because I liked both the mission of our university, Opportunitas, and was inspired by the ‘Go Getter’ persona of the Pace student. I am happy with my decision, as I have truly enjoyed my time here thus far.

What internships have you had as a student?

I’ve had an internship each summer since I started at Pace. The first was a copywriting role at Materna Medical, a women’s health company, through which I wrote blog posts for device users while complying with FDA regulations on marketing for medical devices, as well as promoted Materna’s SEO and SEM. I later worked as a business strategy intern for Mind Machine, a consulting company for MedTech (medical technology) startups. In that role, I carried out competitive SWOT analysis and SEO optimization, wrote blog content, engaged in social listening, and did general marketing work. Both were rewarding, educational experiences propelling me towards my dream of working in MedTech.

Please let us know of other research opportunities you have been engaged in at Pace.

I had the privilege of participating in the Provost Office’s Student-Faculty Undergraduate Research Program last year with Professor Judith Pajo, PhD, an amazing mentor who offered to be my principal investigator. We collaborated closely to research the phenomenon of intergenerational trauma, revealing a positive correlation between familial and personal trauma, and indicating support for the cyclical theory of trauma. During this process, I had the opportunity to learn more about the ethics behind human research, data collection techniques, statistical analysis, presentation of data, and so much more. In addition, I was able to complete the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program), Social and Behavioral Education focus, which is approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

What would you like to do upon graduation/what are your career goals?

I plan to work in consulting for MedTech companies. My psychology degree has provided me with skills for developing professional relationships, understanding of consumer attitudes, applying research design, and conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis, and my minors in Neuroscience and Public Health (College of Health Professions) also lend themselves to this plan, supporting my goal of understanding the medical world in order to meet the needs of the public.

What advice would you like to give to our current students?

Remember that life only happens one day at a time. You only have to do your best for today, so be kind to yourself, work hard, and remember that there are many different things that make up a good life.