Pace University’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems recently launched a Google Developer Student Club (GDG) on the New York City campus, an initiative that connects student developers and gives teaches them the tools to build solutions for local businesses and communities with Google technology. Designed for those interested in the tech industry, the club offers students a unique opportunity to explore and gain hands-on experience with Google’s suite of cutting-edge technologies, especially in the fast-evolving fields of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
The Google Developer Student Club at Pace is led by Seidenberg graduate student Lauren DeMaio and mentored by Seidenberg Professor, Associate Dean, and Co-Director of the Pace AI Lab, Dr. Christelle Scharff, who also has experience empowering women in tech by being an active member in Google’s Women in Techmaker community. As Lauren explained, the club’s mission is to equip students with the tools and skills necessary for professional success while focusing on creating a supportive, community-driven environment. “Being a newly founded GDG on Campus, it is important to me that we are keeping the community’s wants and aspirations at the forefront of our planning,” Lauren said. “Together, GDG and GDG on Campus communities aim to connect aspiring developers with the tools necessary for post-university success and networking opportunities for professional development.”
The club’s first event, an ML Study Jam, provided students with a foundational look into machine learning (ML), offering hands-on activities and expert-led insights. ML Study Jams are part of a global initiative designed to help learners develop their skills and confidence as they move toward expertise in machine learning. “The idea is to go through basic ML concepts and share the knowledge in the community,” said Lauren. “By honing skills and enhancing capabilities, a beginner can start their journey to becoming an ML expert.”
The ML Study Jam began with a keynote speech from Tanmay Bakshi, a Google Developer Expert in Machine Learning who also serves as an AI & Software Architect at IBM. Tanmay is well-regarded for his work as a TED speaker, author, and YouTuber, with a focus on AI and ML concepts. His keynote introduced attendees to foundational machine learning concepts, including tensors and the PyTorch framework. Lauren described Tanmay’s talk as “inspiring for the attendees,” highlighting his valuable insights on AI and his journey in the tech world.
For the event’s hands-on component, Carson Glines, the club’s technical lead, guided students through a Google Colab workshop using Gemini Flash. In this workshop, students interacted directly with ML models, practicing prompt creation, summarizing audio files, and asking models to describe images in different styles. This interactive session gave students practical exposure to working with AI tools, building both confidence and technical proficiency.
With a vision centered on community engagement and technological proficiency, the GDG on Campus at Pace University plans to host events that continue to explore AI and machine learning tools. “As a GDG on Campus, we aim to introduce students at Pace to a variety of Google’s AI/ML products and tools, making them comfortable to develop projects and furthering their knowledge and practical skills,” Lauren shared.
Through mentorship from Dr. Scharff and the drive of its members, the GDG on Campus at Pace is set to become a foundational resource for students eager to deepen their understanding of AI and ML while building a network of connections in the tech industry. This new addition to the Seidenberg School offers students a structured and collaborative space to grow, learn, and prepare for successful careers in technology.
If you are a student interested to join, feel free to do so via the link provided at the beginning of the article, or by contacting the club’s leads:
Lauren DeMaio
Graduate Student: Lead Organizer
Email: ld90692n@pace.edu
Jenn Garcia
Graduate Student: Events Lead
Email: jg34071n@pace.edu
Audrey Louie
Undergraduate Student: Marketing Lead
Email: al83037n@pace.edu
Julia Tretyakov
Undergraduate Student: Financial Lead
Email: jt23750n@pace.edu
Stephanie Sicilian
Graduate Student: Communications Lead
Email: ss43992p@pace.edu
Carson Glines
Undergraduate Student: Technical Lead
Email: cg08193n@pace.edu
