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For Reese H. Frisch ’26, the path to law school was shaped by a deep-rooted commitment to justice and a desire to serve her community—values that have guided her academic and professional journey from the very beginning.

A first-generation law student, Reese is the first in her immediate family to pursue a law degree. After earning her undergraduate degree in forensic psychology, she initially planned to continue her studies in that field. But through internships with the Rockland and Orange County District Attorney’s Offices, as well as the Federal Public Defender’s Office in New Haven, she gained a broader understanding of the legal system, one that ultimately solidified her decision to pursue a legal career.

“I was eager to apply myself in a deeper way and pursue a path that aligned more closely with my strengths,” Reese said. Her work in both prosecution and defense also provided her with a balanced perspective on the justice system, an experience that continues to inform her approach to the law.

At Pace Haub Law, Reese found a community that supports both her academic ambitions and her commitment to public service. Drawn to the Law School’s strong focus on public interest law and its emphasis on experiential learning, she has taken full advantage of opportunities to engage with the legal system in meaningful ways.

Her coursework—including Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, and Federal Criminal Pretrial Simulation—has reinforced her interest in litigation, while her hands-on experiences have been especially impactful. Through the Legal Hand Guided Externship Program, a judicial internship with the Westchester County Supreme Court, and externships with the Westchester County District Attorney's Office and the Rockland County District Attorney's Office through the Honors Externship Program, Reese has developed practical skills in advocacy and deepened her understanding of the role attorneys play in serving their communities. "The most rewarding aspect of law school has been engaging in work that directly impacts others," she said.

The most rewarding aspect of law school has been engaging in work that directly impacts others.

—Reese Frisch ‘26

Outside the classroom, Reese has remained actively involved in student life, serving as a representative for the Jewish Law Students Society and the Student Bar Association, an executive board member of the Criminal Justice Society, and a member of the Honor Board. Her leadership across these organizations reflects a broader commitment to service, collaboration, and community engagement.

Reese’s dedication to public service has also been recognized through the Adele Janow and Judge Sandra Forster Memorial Scholarship, an award established by the Law School’s Alumni Board to honor two esteemed alumnae whose contributions to the Law School and the Westchester community left a lasting legacy. The scholarship supports students who embody the same values of service, perseverance, and leadership that defined their careers.

“Attending law school has been the toughest challenge I've ever faced, and it hasn’t been easy,” Reese shared. “My commitment to justice drives everything I do. I am deeply grateful for the support of this scholarship, which made it possible for me to continue pursuing my goals.” For Reese, the scholarship represents an opportunity to carry forward the legacy of those who came before her while continuing to build a career rooted in service.

Looking ahead, Reese will join the Queens District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney following graduation. “I am looking forward to putting into practice the values that first led me to the law and am grateful for the solid foundation Pace Haub Law provided me.”

Commencement 2026 brings together a group of voices shaping the world in real time. We’re proud to announce our 2026 Honorary Degree Recipients and speakers—leaders in journalism, healthcare, law, and business whose work informs, protects, and moves communities forward.

From reporting on the front lines of global events to expanding access to care and advancing justice, these honorees reflect the kind of impact our graduates are poised to make.

LESTER HOLT

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Journalist and anchor, NBC News 
Honorary Degree Recipient and Speaker at the Main Ceremony 

Lester Holt is an award-winning journalist and anchor at NBC News, best known for his decade as anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News and as principal anchor of Dateline NBC. He has covered wars, disasters, and political turning points from the ground—including the Israel–Gaza war, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the Arab Spring. His 2017 exclusive interview with President Trump remains one of the most consequential in recent broadcast history.

Holt has also led landmark work in criminal justice reform, including an Emmy-nominated series filmed inside Louisiana State Penitentiary and the first televised town hall from a maximum-security prison. He moderated the most-watched presidential debate in American history in 2016, anchored NBC’s COVID-19 primetime coverage, and launched Nightly News: Kids Edition, an award-winning digital newscast for children.

He began his career at WCBS-TV in New York in 1981 and joined NBC News in 2000. His honors include multiple Emmy Awards, the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award, the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, and induction into the National Association of Broadcasters.

MITCHELL KATZ

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President and Chief Executive Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals 
Honorary Degree Recipient and Speaker at the Undergraduate Ceremony for the College of Health Professions, Lubin School of Business, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems

Dr. Mitchell Katz is president and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest municipal healthcare system in the United States. Since 2018, he has expanded access through NYC Care (serving more than 100,000 uninsured New Yorkers), eliminated the system’s deficit, and led its COVID-19 response, tripling ICU capacity and administering more than 1.3 million vaccines.

Previously, Katz directed the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Earlier, he spent 13 years as Director and Health Officer of the San Francisco Department of Health, launching Healthy San Francisco and securing funding to rebuild two major hospitals.

Dr. Katz holds degrees from Yale University and Harvard Medical School, is deputy editor of JAMA Internal Medicine, and is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences. He continues to see patients in Manhattan.

PEDRO RIVERA ’12

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Journalist and co-anchor, WABC
Honorary Degree Recipient and Speaker at Undergraduate Ceremony for Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Sands College of Performing Arts, and School of Education 

Pedro Rivera ’12 is an Emmy- and LA Press Club Award–winning journalist and co-anchor of Eyewitness News This Morning and Eyewitness News Mornings at 10 on WABC in New York City, where he is also involved in special coverage, including the NYC Marathon and NYC Pride. 

A Bronx native, Rivera's career has taken him from Arkansas and Sacramento to Los Angeles and back to New York, covering major stories along the way—including the Uvalde school shooting, the Boston Marathon bombing, the Sandy Hook aftermath, and the deadliest wildfire in California history.

Rivera earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Pace University and remains closely connected to his alma mater, serving on the advisory board for Dyson College of Arts and Sciences. He is also co-chair of the Afro-Latino Task Force for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

JUDGE FRANCESCA CONNOLLY ’82

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Associate Justice, New York State Supreme Court
Honorary Degree Recipient and Speaker at Elisabeth Haub School of Law Ceremony

The Honorable Francesca E. Connolly ’82 serves as an associate justice of the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, Second Judicial Department—the busiest intermediate appellate court in the nation. Appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2016 and named to the Constitutional Bench by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2022, she serves as a presiding justice and, in 2024, sat by designation on the New York Court of Appeals. She is the first Pace Law graduate appointed to the Appellate Division.

Her judicial career began in 2006 when she became the first woman elected Ossining Town justice. She was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2009. Her public service includes roles on the Ossining Town Council, as Deputy Town Supervisor, and time on the Town Planning Board, as well as 27 years of complex civil litigation if state and federal courts. 

Justice Connolly is a frequent CLE lecturer, published opinion author, and member of the New York State Advisory Committee on Civil Practice. She earned her BA, magna cum laude, from SUNY Albany and her JD from Pace University School of Law.

PETER MULLER

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Founder and Chief Executive Officer, PDT Partners 
Honorary Degree Recipient and Speaker at the Graduate Ceremony for the Lubin School of Business and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems

Peter Muller is the founder and CEO of PDT Partners, a leading quantitative investment firm established in 1992 and spun out of Morgan Stanley in 2012. His published research spans financial optimization, mortgage prepayments, and equity valuation models, and he serves on the board of Math for America.

Outside of finance, Muller is a pianist and singer-songwriter who has released seven albums of original music and performs regularly across the country with his band. He is also a cruciverbalist with crosswords published in major outlets, founder and board president of the Live Music Society, and an active philanthropist whose interests span music, education, and the environment. He holds a BA in mathematics with honors from Princeton University.

JUDITH WATSON ’94

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Chief Executive Officer, Westchester Community Health Center
Honorary Degree Recipient and Speaker at Graduate ceremony for the College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, and School of Education

Judith M. Watson ’94 is the chief executive officer of Westchester Community Health Center, a nine-site healthcare system serving underserved populations across Westchester County. An immigrant from Jamaica raised in White Plains, she enlisted in the US Army after high school, serving three years on active duty and seven in the Reserves, reaching the rank of sergeant E-5.

Watson earned her BS in nursing from Pace University and her Master of Public Health from New York Medical College. Beginning her healthcare career in 1994 at the Greenburgh Health Center, she has spent more than 31 years in the field, rising through leadership roles from site executive director to COO before assuming her current role as CEO.

Deeply rooted in the community, she serves on 14 nonprofit and community boards, including the board of Westchester Medical Center, and was recently awarded an honorary doctorate from Mercy University for her contributions to public health.

Check out the Commencement website for more information on key deadlines, program details, and more.

Commencement season at Pace has its own rhythm.

You start to notice it in the final stretch of the semester. There’s a shift. Big projects wrap up. Caps and gowns come out. Conversations turn to what’s next. Everything begins to feel a little more real.

It’s one of the most meaningful moments of the year—one that brings our entire Pace Community together.

It’s also a time to welcome voices who will help mark the occasion.

So here it is: what you’ve all been waiting to hear.

We are proud to announce the distinguished speakers who will join us for Commencement 2026, leaders whose careers reflect the ambition and drive we see in our graduates every day.

At our Main Ceremony, Lester Holt—award-winning journalist and anchor of Dateline NBC—will address the Class of 2026. One of the most respected voices in broadcast journalism, Holt has spent decades reporting from the front lines of the world’s biggest stories and helping audiences make sense of them. Known for his on-the-ground reporting and steady presence during major global events, he has helped audiences better understand the moments that shape our lives.

During Undergraduate Day, Mitchell Katz, MD, president and chief executive officer of NYC Health + Hospitals, will speak to graduates from the College of Health Professions, Lubin School of Business, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems. He leads the largest municipal healthcare system in the United States and has helped expand access to care for New Yorkers.

Pedro Rivera ’12, an Emmy Award–winning journalist and Pace alumnus, will return to his alma mater to address graduates from Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Sands College of Performing Arts, and the School of Education. His path from Pace student to New York City news anchor reflects persistence and a strong connection to the communities he serves.

On Graduate Day, we are especially proud to welcome accomplished leaders—including members of our alumni community—whose work spans law, healthcare, business, and public service.

Hon. Francesca E. Connolly ’82, associate justice of the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department of New York, will address graduates of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. A respected member of the judiciary and a Pace alumna, she has built her career in public service and the legal profession.

Judith M. Watson, RN, BSN, MPH, HD ’94, chief executive officer of Westchester Community Health Center, will speak to graduates from the College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Education. A Pace alumna, she has spent more than 30 years expanding access to care and now leads a network of nine health centers serving communities across Westchester County.

Peter Muller, founder of PDT Partners, will address graduates from the Lubin School of Business and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems. His career spans quantitative finance, entrepreneurship, and music, offering a perspective shaped by both analytical thinking and creativity.

To our graduates, this moment reflects everything you have built during your time at Pace. You are ready for what comes next.

Find out more about our speakers, FAQ, and other important information about Commencement.

I look forward to celebrating with you and your families.

Warmly,

Marvin Krislov
President, Pace University

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University is pleased to announce that the Honorable Francesca E. Connolly ’82, Associate Justice of the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, Second Judicial Department, will deliver the Law School’s commencement address at its 48th Commencement Ceremony, to be held May 21 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. Justice Connolly will also receive the Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, the highest honor conferred by the Law School.

Justice Connolly serves on the Appellate Division, Second Department, the busiest intermediate state appellate court in the nation, where she hears complex criminal and civil appeals from the trial courts of ten counties. Appointed to the court in 2016 by Governor Andrew Cuomo, she was named to the Second Department’s Constitutional Bench by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2022. A senior member of the court, she currently serves as a Justice Presiding. Justice Connolly was the first graduate of Pace Haub Law to be appointed to the Appellate Division.

“Justice Connolly’s career reflects a profound dedication to public service, the rule of law, and the administration of justice,” said Horace E. Anderson Jr., Dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. “As a distinguished jurist and proud alumna of our law school, she exemplifies the leadership and integrity that we hope to instill in every Pace Haub Law graduate. We are honored to have her deliver the Law School’s commencement address this year.”

In 2024, Justice Connolly served by designation as an Associate Judge of the New York Court of Appeals, New York’s highest court. She was first appointed to the New York State Supreme Court in 2009 by Governor David Paterson, elected to a 14-year term in 2010, and re-elected in 2023. During her tenure on the trial bench in Westchester County, she served as Supervising Judge of the Matrimonial Part and presided over the Environmental Claims Part, Compliance Part, and an Individual Assignment Part, where she handled a wide variety of cases, including medical malpractice, personal injury, commercial, and land use matters. From 2014 to 2016, she also sat on the Appellate Term for the Ninth and Tenth Judicial Districts.

Justice Connolly began her judicial career in 2006 when she became the first woman elected Ossining Town Justice, serving until 2009. She has also served as Acting City Court Judge in Mount Vernon and Yonkers. Her public service includes five years on the Ossining Town Council, including three years as Deputy Town Supervisor, as well as earlier service on the Town Planning Board. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of Rockefeller State Park Preserve.

Returning to the Law School to address the graduating class is a tremendous honor.

—Honorable Francesca E. Connolly ’82, Associate Justice of the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, Second Judicial Department

“Returning to the Law School to address the graduating class is a tremendous honor,” said Justice Connolly. “My time at Pace Haub Law helped shape my commitment to justice and public service. I look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 and encouraging them to pursue their careers with integrity, purpose, and a dedication to serving their communities.”

Justice Connolly frequently lectures at continuing legal education programs, including for the New York State Judicial Institute, and has authored numerous published opinions. She serves on the New York State Advisory Committee on Civil Practice. Before ascending to the bench, she practiced complex civil litigation for 27 years in both state and federal courts, including significant work on the World Trade Center litigation in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Justice Connolly earned her BA, magna cum laude, from the State University of New York at Albany in 1979 and her JD from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in 1982.

Justice Connolly has been married to her husband, Kevin, for 40 years, and together they have two sons, Kevin and Sean, a daughter-in-law, Jackie, and two grandchildren, James and Claire.

The 2026 Commencement Ceremony for the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University will be live-streamed at 9:30 a.m. EST on Thursday, May 21, from Louis Armstrong Stadium, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, NY For more information, visit the Law School’s commencement website.

Alexis Pickering ‘26 was ten years old when she decided she would live in New York City. Growing up in Rochester, New York ("about an hour from Canada," she says) she heard a lot of nos. The dream was too big, people told her. The city was too far. She applied anyway, and only to Manhattan schools.

She ended up at Pace. And then she ended up at City Hall.

Now a graduating senior in Pace’s Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Alexis is completing her final semester as the Intergovernmental Affairs intern in the Office of the Mayor under Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a role she landed not through a faculty connection or a formal program, but through sheer persistence and a willingness to take a chance on herself. "I was trigger happy on the Career Services platform, Handshake," she says, laughing. "I just kind of threw an application together." A week after her interview, she had the job.

That was the beginning of what became one of the most consequential chapters of her undergraduate life. Alexis started in the press office during the turbulent final stretch of the Adams administration, fielding press releases, managing the mayor's schedule, attending events, and watching history unfold in real time. “My friends would send me New York Times articles and I'd say, ‘Guys, that's actually not how it went down. I was there.’” When the indictments came, she was in the building—one of many moments that underscored just how close she was to the center of it all. “It's a privilege to be in rooms where things are happening,” she says simply.

 “It's a privilege to be in rooms where things are happening,” says Alexis.

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Her ambitions shifted over time. Initially drawn to criminal justice through a deeply personal experience with sexual assault—one that later fueled her work as a resident advisor at Pace supporting students navigating Title IX—Alexis came to Pace as a political science major before switching to criminal justice in pursuit of a career in prosecution. But City Hall broadened her vision. She moved from the press office to the intergovernmental affairs team, where she sat in on prep calls with agencies like the Mayor's Office to End Gender-Based Violence and assisted with city council hearing preparations. "I wanted to see how policy is made," she says. "How does this stuff actually come about?" She's now applying to graduate programs in public policy, something she hadn't considered before the internship. "There are a lot more pieces of the machine than just law and lawyers." This fall, she'll be studying those pieces at the London School of Economics and Political Science, where she has been accepted into the MSc in International Social and Public Policy program, a destination she hadn't imagined before City Hall opened the door.

In the classroom, Alexis  found her intellectual home in the Criminal Justice and Security Department's emphasis on practice over theory. Most of her professors have been working professionals, a fact she credits for grounding her education in reality. But it was Professor Kim Collica-Cox, PhD, who she says truly changed her. In Professor Collica-Cox's course, students visit an incarceration facility and engage directly with incarcerated individuals. "It shook me to my core," Alexis says. "My biases, going into that prison, stepping into a cell—it changed how I viewed everything." She now serves as Professor Collica-Cox's intern, co-teaching with incarcerated parents on Tuesdays. Her Honors College thesis, which surveys students who've completed the prison education program, examines how exposure to incarceration reshapes stigma and perception. "Every person who wants to get into criminal justice," she says, "should step into a jail."

"Systems are human made," she says, "and humans are the ones that can change them."

The throughline of Alexis's time at Pace is a belief that systems are not to be passively trusted, but that the most meaningful change happens from within them. "Systems are human made," she says, "and humans are the ones that can change them. Working within them from the inside out is going to make more of a drastic change than just being a critic outside."

As she walks up the steps of City Hall each morning—in the same city she dreamed about as a kid in upstate New York—she thinks about what it would mean to tell her ten-year-old self where she ended up. "I think she would lose it," Alexis says, her voice going quiet. "I don't take a day for granted. It's a privilege and an honor, and I can't describe it any other way."

What happens when you study the power of mentorship and experience it at the same time? For Kiara Medina ’27, it changed everything.

“I've always been interested in speech language pathology because I was a speech kid myself, so I decided to go to school for it,” explains Kiara, who is pursuing her MS in Communication Sciences Disorders (CSD).

Something she noticed, however, was the absence of diverse mentors. “I realized how little representation there is in higher education, especially for Spanish speaking and minority individuals, especially in my field of CSD,” she says.

However, she quickly found mentorship in associate professor Linda Caroza, a CSD expert who had written on the importance of mentorship. “When I started at Pace during my first semester, I met Professor Carozza, who introduced me to her article on mentoring minority faculty,” says Kiara, “Reading that article sparked my interest in this research.”

Collaborating on that project with her made me feel comfortable moving forward with this one because I knew I would have the support and guidance I needed.

Before this project, however, she got to experience the transformative experience of mentorship firsthand. She and her class worked with Carozza on research studying links between PTSD and dementia. Carozza’s encouragement helped Kiara develop a newfound confidence in herself. “Collaborating on that project with her made me feel comfortable moving forward with this one because I knew I would have the support and guidance I needed,” Kiara explains.

This foray into deeper research carried another layer of meaning for Kiara. “This was my first research project and it was mainly inspired to be a part two to her original article.”

Inspired by Carozza’s work, Kiara worked alongside her and Jennifer Rosenstein, the director of Beekman Library. Together, they authored three articles that took a deep look at mentorship and representation within CSD.

They always met me where I was, and I really appreciated that.

“In the first article, we focused on the lack of mentorship for underrepresented faculty in CSD and how that impacts recruitment, retention and advancement,” says Kiara. “For the second article, we shifted towards the solutions and mentorship structures that could help close the gap. And then in the third article, we emphasized the institutional responsibility to embed mentorship into academic culture instead of just leaving it up to chance.”

Their research made a clear argument: representation doesn’t happen accidentally. It requires intention, structure, and institutional commitment. And ironically, as they worked on research about mentorship, Kiara experienced the transformative impact of mentorship herself.

“Collaborating with Jennifer and Professor Carozza has been really, really meaningful to me,” Kiara says. Before this project, Kiara wasn’t certain she saw herself as a researcher, but Carozza’s constant support and Rosenstein’s guidance—finding sources, editing, and helping frame the articles—began to shift that perception.

“Having their input and knowing they believed in me and my abilities really reinforced my confidence,” says Kiara. “They always met me where I was, and I really appreciated that. Both of them are truly amazing, just incredible.”

Having the opportunity to be published is such a big deal.

As the trio analyzed mentorship structures in academia, Medina experienced what those structures could look like when done right: confidence-building, skill-sharpening, affirming. And as a first-generation student, the impact of this close mentorship was even more impactful.

“Having the opportunity to be published is such a big deal. I am a first generation student in my family so this is such a huge accomplishment,” Kiara says, going on to share how proud her family and friends are to see her work published.

Kiara has already started brainstorming future projects. She explains, “Working on these articles made me realize how closely research and advocacy can align.”

Kiara began this work by exploring why representation matters. Now, she is stepping fully into the role she once hoped to see, by shaping the future of her field from within.

Parth (Pete) Singh

Class of 2026
Pronouns: He/him/his
Currently Studying: BBA in Finance, Minor in Business Analytics and Pre-Law
Member (Clubs): Beta Alpha Psi, National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), ASCEND, Undergraduate Finance Club

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Why did you choose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business?

Choosing Pace was less a single decision and more a convergence of location, opportunity, and community—all pointing in the same direction.

I started my academic journey as a philosophy major, drawn to big questions, frameworks, and the idea that how you think matters just as much as what you know. Over time, I found myself gravitating toward markets, capital structures, and the mechanics of how value is created and destroyed in the real world. Philosophy gave me a lens; finance gave me a field to apply it.

When I discovered Pace’s finance program in the Lubin School of Business, something clicked. When the Dean’s Merit Transfer Scholarship made it financially possible, I knew I had to take the leap. That scholarship did more than open a door—it changed the trajectory of my life.

There is a quote I often think about from Donald Rumsfeld: “There are known knowns… known unknowns… and unknown unknowns.” When I transferred, I knew I wanted finance, and I knew New York City was where I needed to be. What I did not know were the people I would meet, the opportunities I would have, and the version of myself I would become here. Pace has been the place where those unknowns became real, one opportunity at a time.

How have clubs on campus helped enrich your student experience?

More than anything, clubs taught me how much I still had to learn—and gave me the community to figure it out.

Beta Alpha Psi has been especially meaningful to me. Before getting involved, I understood finance academically. Being surrounded by students who were genuinely passionate about the profession—reading deal news at breakfast and debating capital markets between classes—changed how I engaged with the subject. It stopped feeling like coursework and started feeling like a calling.

Stepping into the vice president role pushed that growth further because leadership made me see the organization not just as something I was part of, but something I was helping shape. The conferences Beta Alpha Psi brought me to expanded my perspective in ways I did not expect. Sitting in rooms with students from top programs across the country and hearing from professionals working at the highest level sharpened my sense of where I wanted to go and the standard I needed to hold myself to.

National Society of Leadership and Success opened a different kind of door. As treasurer, I took on real accountability within an organization that values leadership development. It introduced me to a network of people who were equally intentional about their growth, and that environment naturally brings out your best. It also broadened how I think about leadership—not just professionally, but in how you show up for others.

Together, these two organizations shaped both my student experience and the professional I am becoming.

What has been your favorite opportunity at Pace?

It is hard to choose just one, because Pace has given me opportunities I did not know existed until I was experiencing them.

The Beta Alpha Psi conferences stand out as some of the most formative experiences of my time here. Being in a room with driven accounting and finance students from across the country, exchanging ideas, hearing from industry leaders, and representing Lubin at the national level reminded me that the standard I hold myself to should keep rising. Those conferences expanded both my network and my sense of what is possible.

PaceBound was meaningful in a different way. It gave me the opportunity to represent Pace while connecting with prospective students and sharing my own story. As a transfer student, being able to speak honestly about the opportunities, support, and community I found here made that experience especially personal. It reminded me how powerful it can be to help someone else picture themselves in the place that helped shape you.

The competitions also stand out. Representing Pace in the CFA Institute Research Challenge and the AGA Government Finance Case Challenge meant presenting analysis in front of industry professionals and defending ideas under pressure. Those experiences challenged me and helped me grow, and I am proud to have represented Lubin in those spaces.

The access you have here—to professors, industry events, competitions, and New York City itself—is something many students elsewhere would value deeply.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students?

Take every opportunity you can, especially the ones that push you outside your comfort zone.

The students who stand out are not always the ones with the highest GPA. They are the ones who show up early, stay curious, and raise their hand before they feel fully ready. Readiness is often built through experience, not before it.

Lubin sits at the center of the financial world. The access you have here—to professors, industry events, competitions, and New York City itself—is something many students elsewhere would value deeply. Be intentional about how you use your time, because opportunities rarely come looking for you. You have to pursue them.

And build relationships genuinely, not transactionally. The people you meet at Lubin—your peers, professors, and mentors—will matter long after graduation. Invest in those relationships the same way you would invest in anything meant to grow.

What does #LubinLife mean to you?

It means being part of a university that believes in you before you have fully learned how to believe in yourself.

For me, #LubinLife is the Dean’s Scholarship that made attendance possible, the conferences that broadened my perspective, the competitions that tested my preparation, and the organizations that gave me meaningful leadership responsibility while I was still a student. It is the city outside the classroom and the community inside it working together in a way that feels uniquely Pace.

Most of all, it means being part of something that continually pushes you to close the gap between who you are and who you can become. That is what I will carry with me long after graduation.

Connect with Parth Online:

• Connect with Parth on LinkedIn
• Connect with Parth on Instagram

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University has once again been ranked #1 in the nation for Environmental Law by U.S. News & World Report, marking the seventh time—and the sixth consecutive year—the program has earned the top distinction and further solidifying its position as a global leader in environmental legal education.

The 2026 rankings also reflect the continued strength and growth of the Law School across a number of key program areas. Other highlights include #21 in Trial Advocacy, #36 in Dispute Resolution, #56 in International Law, #75 in Tax Law, #83 in Health Law, and a part-time program ranking of #43.

“For six consecutive years, Pace Haub Law has been recognized as the nation’s top environmental law program,” said Dean Horace E. Anderson Jr. “This continued distinction reflects the strength of our faculty, the depth of our experiential learning opportunities, and our commitment to preparing students to address the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.”

A Legacy of Leadership in Environmental Law

Established in 1976, the Pace Haub Law Environmental Law Program has a global footprint and remains at the leading edge of environmental law. The program’s continued evolution includes new partnerships, innovative programming, and faculty scholarship that is shaping the future of environmental law and policy on a national and international scale. Initiatives such as the Sustainable Business Law Hub, the Environmental Law and Policy Hack Competition, and the Future Environmental Law Professors Workshop create new opportunities for training, policy development, and research that address emerging environmental challenges.

The Law School also hosts a wide range of lectures, panels, and symposia throughout the year, bringing leading environmental scholars, advocates, and policymakers to campus, and annually presents the Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy, which is one of the world’s most distinguished honors in the field. In addition, Pace Haub Law maintains a longstanding partnership with the Yale School of the Environment, offering multiple joint degree programs and co-hosting the New Directions in Environmental Law Conference (NDEL), a premier academic gathering that brings together students and scholars from over 30 institutions. With more than 40 environmental law courses, and extensive clinic offerings, including the Environmental Litigation Clinic and Food and Farm Business Law Clinic, as well as opportunities through centers such as the Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies, Pace Energy & Climate Center and Land Use Law Center, students gain hands-on experience tackling complex environmental issues. This October, a cohort of 4 Pace faculty members, 5 students, and 6 alumni successfully advocated for the adoption of 10 motions addressing critical environmental issues at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. These opportunities uniquely prepare Pace Haub Law graduates to become leaders in environmental law and policy at both the national and international level.

Last year, the Law School announced a dynamic new leadership team to guide its top-ranked Environmental Law Program into the future. Katrina Fischer Kuh, Haub Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law, now serves as Faculty Director of the Environmental Law Program. Achinthi C. Vithanage, Professor of Law for Designated Service in Environmental Law and Associate Director of Environmental Law Programs, was appointed Executive Director of the Environmental Law Program. In addition, Josh Galperin, Associate Professor of Law, now serves as Faculty Director of the Sustainable Business Law Hub.

Our Environmental Law Program is defined by both rigorous scholarship and hands-on experience.

—Katrina Fischer Kuh, Haub Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law, Faculty Director of the Environmental Law Program

“Our Environmental Law Program is defined by both rigorous scholarship and hands-on experience,” said Kuh. “We are preparing students not only to understand the law, but to shape it, ensuring they are equipped to tackle complex environmental challenges on a national and global scale. Providing this training for our students is possible as a result of the community of talented and committed professors, adjuncts, alumni, and institutional partners who enrich our program and to whom we are deeply grateful.”

Distinguished Faculty Expand Key Program Areas

Beyond the Environmental Law Program, Pace Haub Law continues to strengthen its academic offerings across disciplines through strategic faculty growth in other disciplines. Lauren Roth, an accomplished scholar in health law and business law, recently joined the faculty as an Associate Professor of Law, contributing to the Law School’s Health Law and Policy certificate program. Her addition further enhances opportunities for students to engage with emerging issues at the intersection of health, business, and regulatory law.

The Law School has also welcomed Professor Imre Szalai, a nationally recognized arbitration scholar whose work strengthens the Law School’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) programs. His extensive scholarship on arbitration law, combined with his practical experience, enhances the Law School’s ability to prepare students for work in complex dispute resolution settings. He joins Professor Jill I. Gross, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and a nationally respected authority on securities arbitration and investor protection, whose leadership and scholarship have been instrumental in shaping the Law School’s reputation in this field.

Building Distinction in Alternative Dispute Resolution

Alternative Dispute Resolution has become an area of distinction at Pace Haub Law, supported by robust curricular and experiential opportunities that allow students to develop practical skills in mediation, arbitration, and negotiation. The Law School is home to the Amelia A. Gould Representation in Mediation Clinic, one of the only clinics in the country dedicated to representing clients in mediation. Students also gain hands-on experience through the Fairbridge Investor Rights Clinic, which focuses on customer disputes with securities broker-dealers.

Further advancing its leadership in this area, Pace Haub Law partnered with the Campaign for Greener Arbitrations – North America Committee (CGA-NA) to launch the inaugural Greener Arbitration Writing Competition last year, showcasing emerging scholarship on sustainable arbitration practices, with the competition returning for a second year. Last year, the Law School, in partnership with CGA-NA, also hosted a special New York Arbitration Week program, spotlighting innovation, sustainability, and greener arbitration practices in international arbitration while bringing together leading practitioners, academics, and emerging voices in the field. The program also served as the conclusion of the inaugural Greener Arbitration Writing Competition. These initiatives position Pace Haub Law at the forefront of emerging conversations around sustainable dispute resolution while highlighting the important intersection of environmental law and ADR.

A National Leader in Trial Advocacy

Pace Haub Law’s Trial Advocacy program continues to gain national recognition, now ranked #21 in the country. The program’s success is driven by a commitment to experiential learning and competitive excellence.

“Our advocacy program continues to demonstrate exceptional growth and national competitiveness,” said Louis V. Fasulo, Professor of Trial Practice and Director of Advocacy Programs. “Through hands-on training, dedicated coaching, and extensive competition opportunities, our students develop the skills necessary to become effective and impactful advocates. These rankings reflect both the strength of our program and the dedication of our students.”

Through hands-on training, dedicated coaching, and extensive competition opportunities, our students develop the skills necessary to become effective and impactful advocates.

—Louis V. Fasulo, Professor of Trial Practice and Director of Advocacy Programs

Student advocacy teams continue to excel in both national and international competitions, with the Alternative Dispute Resolution team earning top honors at a variety of recent events. The Law School’s trial advocacy teams are often coached by dedicated alumni who have excelled in their own careers and now play an integral role in mentoring the next generation of advocates. Throughout the year, Pace Haub Law also hosts a range of advocacy competitions and symposia that bring together students, practitioners, and leaders in the field. This fall, the Law School will collaborate with New York County Defender Services to host a national voir dire competition, with the inaugural event focused on combating racial bias during jury selection.

Further strengthening the program, Pace Haub Law recently expanded its Advocacy Program leadership team with the appointment of Jared J. Hatcliffe, Esq., Senior Trial Counsel for the New York City Law Department, Office of Corporation Counsel, as Associate Director of Advocacy. A published author who has litigated hundreds of jury trials to verdict, Professor Hatcliffe brings extensive experience and a strong commitment to mentoring future trial lawyers.

These latest rankings underscore the Law School’s continued commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and impact.

Wrapping up the semester is exciting—but it can also come with a lot of logistics. From figuring out holds and balances to making last-minute schedule changes, Pace’s Pop-Up Student Solutions Centers are here to help you navigate it all, so you can focus on what really matters.

Whether you’re on the New York City Campus or the Pleasantville Campus, you’ve got dedicated support from teams across Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Admissions, and the Registrar’s Office. No appointments needed—just show up during operating hours and get the answers you need.

Pop-Up Student Solutions Center Schedule

Dates:

April 20–April 24, 2026

Hours:

• Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 10:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday and Thursday: 12:00–5:30 p.m.

Locations:

• New York City Campus: 161 William Street, 8th Floor
• Pleasantville Campus: Kessel Student Center, Dean’s Suite area

From adjusting your Fall 2026 class schedule to clearing up registration issues, the Pop-Up Student Solutions Centers are here to simplify your start to the semester. Because when things run smoothly, you can spend less time in line—and more time chasing what’s next.

When Mohammed Ali ’26 began thinking about law school, he already had a clear example to follow: his older sister, Aleh Ali ’19. Years after Aleh graduated from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, Mohammed followed her path and enrolled at Pace Haub Law himself.

Aleh, now the owner and managing partner of Ali Law, PLLC, says her interest in law began early. “I knew I was going to be a lawyer at a very young age,” she said. “I was argumentative and always had to win an argument. My father used to tell me I was going to be a lawyer.” This passion for the legal profession that she developed early on continues to drive her work today.

Aleh chose Pace Haub Law in part because of its location and reputation. “It was conveniently located in Westchester, which was important since I was living at home while attending law school,” she said. She was also influenced by colleagues from her work as a paralegal who had attended the Law School and spoke highly of their experiences.

Mohammed says his own interest in law began in his teenage years, shaped in part by watching his sister pursue her legal education. “I knew I wanted to be a lawyer since I was 16 when I got to see my sister graduate from law school and become a lawyer,” he said.

Aleh helped him secure a legal internship early on, where he observed housing court proceedings, which he describes as an experience that solidified his interest in the profession. Mohammed continued building toward a legal career by earning a degree in Paralegal Studies from Westchester Community College and a BA in Legal Studies from Purchase College before enrolling at Pace Haub Law, where he is now a JD candidate in the Class of 2026.

Aleh was thrilled when Mohammed decided to attend the same law school. “I was extremely excited he was following in my footsteps,” she said. “I tried to pave a path for him and give him the best advice I could, and I’m glad he listened. Pace is a great school and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to be a lawyer.”

For Mohammed, seeing Aleh’s success after graduation played a significant role in his decision. “I mainly chose Pace Haub Law because of my sister. I went on a tour of the campus when she was a 3L and it felt like a small, but connected and supportive community. I also saw how successful my sister became after graduation,” he said. “Looking into the externships and clinical opportunities offered by the school was also a big sway in my decision, and the location is convenient for where I live.”

Both siblings say their experiences at the Law School were shaped by influential professors and hands-on learning opportunities. Aleh recalls the impact of professors including Professor Crawford and Professor Tenzer, whose teaching helped guide her legal education. Through externships and other opportunities at the law school, she gained valuable practical experience that helped prepare her for the job market.

Mohammed has similarly found his time at the Law School to be transformative. “My experience in law school has been nothing short of insightful,” he said. He credits professors such as Professor Simon, Professor Denman, and Professor Carbone with shaping his law school experience by teaching beyond the material required for the bar exam and also offering valuable career advice.

The siblings also share the experience of having studied under some of the same faculty members, including Professor Bennett Gershman, who they both describe as one of the School’s most memorable professors.

Outside the classroom, Mohammed has immersed himself in campus life. He serves as Executive Acquisitions Editor for Pace Law Review, works as a research assistant for multiple professors, and participates in several student organizations, including serving as Treasurer of the Middle Eastern Law Student Association and 3L Representative for the Public Interest Law Students Organization. He is also a legal extern with Nolletti Law Group PLLC and serves as Head Student Representative for Themis.

“These experiences have helped me sharpen my research, writing, and communication skills,” Mohammed said. “They’ve also helped me understand the level of dedication an attorney owes to a client.”

When Aleh graduated in 2019, she was five months pregnant, so she did not start working immediately after passing the bar. Soon after, the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the legal job market. Aleh notes that what initially seemed like a challenge ultimately helped guide her toward the career she has today. In 2020, she began working at a real estate transactional firm, an area she had previously encountered while working as a paralegal and during law school externships. The field proved to be the perfect fit. “It showed me that you can have a career and a family,” she said.

In 2022, Aleh opened Ali Law, PLLC, her own real estate law firm. Two years later, she expanded her work further by opening a title company in 2024. “It is very manageable, and I absolutely love what I do,” she said. “It allows me the flexibility to be an attorney, a mother, and my own boss.”

Throughout Mohammed’s law school journey, Aleh has continued to serve as both mentor and role model. One piece of advice she shared early on continues to guide Mohammed today. “When I started law school, Aleh told me, ‘What you put into law school is what you will take out of it,’” he said. “That really stuck with me and inspired me to become very active on campus.” Mohammed hopes to pursue a career in family and matrimonial law after graduation, ideally working with a private firm that focuses on those practice areas.

Despite their busy schedules, both siblings say that family remains central to their lives. “Outside of my professional life, I love spending time with my family and friends,” Aleh said.

Mohammed agrees. “My favorite thing outside of law school is spending time with my family, especially my nieces and nephews.”

For the Ali siblings, Pace Haub Law represents a shared starting point, one that helped launch Aleh’s legal career and continues to shape Mohammed’s path as he prepares to enter the profession.