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Sahtrese McQueen

Class of 2024

Digital Journalism, BS

Through an initiative with The Center for Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE) at Pace, Sahtrese McQueen recently presented research to leaders from across higher education at the annual conference of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), research entitled, Analysis on Controversial Topics and Threats on Freedom of the Press in Case Study on Pace University’s Student Newspaper.

Please tell us more about your research and how this experience was meaningful to you.

I received the Provost Office’s Student-Faculty Summer 2023 Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry Award after being encouraged by my professor Kate Fink, PhD, to dig deeper into our university’s student newspaper archives. What immediately drew my interest were the headlines that discussed taboo issues surrounding young adults, as well as events that influenced the recent decade, and I enjoyed reading how the student paper dealt with such impactful stories. As I researched previous decades, I saw a difference in how controversial topics were discussed in our student’s media, which brought me to analyze how our student press interacted with administration and the effects of that.

The experience of presenting this research at Middle States was so amazing. I was not only able to speak freely and converse with others interested in my topic, but also see how other student presenters’ projects opened up my own views on so many topics. I am happy and proud to have been part of a space where we were all celebrated for our work.

How did you become interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Digital Journalism?

Since high school, I have had an interest in media and being able to explain a complex topic in a way that is understandable for everyone. Journalists have an important duty to the public to present information that gives them the tools to move in a direction that benefits society as a whole. Also, I believe in having a platform where people from all aspects of society can share in a formal, respectful way. Human progress occurs through discussion, listening, and finding common ground in our experiences, and the news is where this fits naturally. I also love the versatility of the program at Pace; we don’t focus on one kind of media, but all aspects of news production, which feels as if I’m always learning something new.

Why did you choose to attend Pace?

Pace has multiple campuses and opportunities that piqued my interests and helped me feel as if I could experience college in very different ways within four years. I spent my first two years as a student on the New York City campus, and it was well worth it. I then transferred to the Pleasantville campus, for the digital journalism major, and surprisingly found that I liked it even more. It’s unique to be able to experience two very different campuses at the same institution.

As students, the ability to build skills that will help us better interact with the world around us is one of the key factors of our educational success.

What have your experiences been like with the Media, Communications, and Visual Arts Department?

The MCVA department is unlike any other I have been a part of at Pace. It has been a comfort to return each semester, and I can only describe my major as a cozy community where we all push each other to become better. In the classroom, students don’t just do what is expected of the curriculum, but actually interact with our classmates, our peers, the Pace community as a whole, and sometimes even further than that. There is a focus on academic growth, but personal growth as well. As students, the ability to build skills that will help us better interact with the world around us is one of the key factors of our educational success, and what is more important in journalism than community?

What other activities and student organizations have you been involved with?

Since the start of the academic year, I have been the news editor and senator for the Pace Chronicle, our campus newspaper, and I’m also a member of the Knitting and Crochet Club, serving as social media manager beginning in spring 2023. As someone who began college during the social isolation of the COVID pandemic, I’m happy that I now have the chance to more fully experience what Pace has to offer.

What internships have you had as a student?

The first was with Pleasantville Community TV (PCTV), a local television station, where I worked with its president and helped make my own series on community topics. I’ve also been an assistant on a faculty-led research project with Professor Kate Fink, who later became my mentor for the Summer Research Program mentioned earlier. It has been so easy to get involved with internships and opportunities on the Pleasantville campus, which I am very grateful for. Further, they have all been related to my interests in one way or another, giving me real work and learning experience I can use in the future.

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

I am looking to attend graduate school and give myself the chance to grow and learn more about the workings of media, production, and journalism, and see where that path takes me. I think it’s important to stay on top of my craft and be versatile; I’d love to continue working with various aspects of the creation of digital news, so I can be both in front of and behind the camera. I have always felt I was a bit of a floater, and I see myself going many places with a career in journalism.

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

More than anything, stay true to who you know yourself to be and value. If college is your vehicle to get there, then put your all into it. Feel comfort from the inevitability of time passing and take as much of it as you want to figure out what you need to succeed by your own standard. When you trust yourself, which means taking care of yourself, whatever path you are meant to be on will find you and you’ll get there with everything you need. Also, go to events, say yes more than no, stick to a reasonable schedule, take advantage of what Pace has to offer, put yourself out there, and make the best of every moment!

Dear colleagues,

The College of Health Professions is pleased to announce recent appointments and promotions.

Esma Paljevic, EdD, RN, CPNP, FNYAM, has been appointed Associate Dean of the Lienhard School of Nursing. Esma had been serving in this role as the interim and will continue to advance the academic mission by leading the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral nursing programs within an interprofessional environment. In addition, the associate dean will oversee the University Health Care (UHC) Center, a Pace University nurse practitioner-managed practice. Esma brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role, having demonstrated exceptional leadership during her time as the interim Associate Dean. Her commitment to advancing education, fostering innovation, and promoting excellence in nursing education aligns seamlessly with the goals and values of our institution.

Esma has been a faculty member in the Lienhard School of Nursing since 2012. Throughout her career, she has exhibited a deep passion for nursing education and a strong commitment to the success of our students. Her collaborative approach, coupled with her ability to inspire and motivate, has had a positive impact on both faculty and students alike.

Patricia (Patty) Myers, MSEd, MT (ASCP), CLS, CHSE, has been appointed Assistant Dean of Accreditation and Educational Support. In this role, Patty will oversee Accreditation and Assessment, the Center for Excellence in Healthcare Simulation, the coordination of interprofessional activities, developing a consolidated view of our clinical placements and projected needs, and helping Associate Deans with their enrollment targets. Patty has served as the Director of the Center for Excellence in Healthcare Simulation since 2014 and is well poised to take on these additional responsibilities.

Elizabeth (Liz) Colón, MS, has been appointed Assistant Dean of CHP Recruitment, Retention and Success. This new position will be responsible for developing and implementing retention initiatives, enhancing recruitment to graduate and undergraduate programs, and improving students’ path to graduation including facilitating combined advanced degrees for Health Science majors. In addition, Liz will develop CHP’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and belongingness (DEIB) initiatives and help programs as they address DEIB requirements of individual accreditors. Liz started at Pace in 2014 in academic advising. This experience, combined with her most recent role as Director of Undergraduate Recruitment, Retention, and Student Success provides a strong background for her new assignment.

I am particularly pleased that we were able to fill these opportunities from within CHP and Pace. The CHP team looks forward to advancing our mission in health professions education. We hope you join us supporting our new leaders.

Warm regards,

Marcus C. Tye, PhD [he/him]

Dean, College of Health Professions

Joseph Ingles

Class of 2025

Currently Studying: BBA in Global Marketing Management

Member Of: Active Minds (Vice President)

Pronouns: He/Him

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Towards the end of his army contract, Joseph Ingles was searching for a business school that would provide him with a smooth transition from his logistics-focused role. After a strong recommendation from a lieutenant, Joseph landed at Lubin, where he has since gained real-world marketing experience and made it his mission to shed light on the importance of mental health.

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

At the end of my army contract, one of my lieutenants recommended Pace University, telling me that the Lubin School of Business is a great business school because of its opportunities and location. I chose a business program because my role in the army was focused on logistics, so I knew my skills would transfer smoothly.

I chose a business program because my role in the army was focused on logistics, so I knew my skills would transfer smoothly.

How have clubs on campus helped enrich your student experience?

Joining clubs and attending events has been important to me. This has given me the chance to meet new people organically and helped me create a great network.

You serve as the Senior Marketing Manager at Pace Perk Mart. What motivated you to apply for this position?

I was a regular customer of Pace Mart because I would be in the library religiously studying. I then learned from a shift associate that it is a student-run business and operates like a real one, with positions like Chief Financial Officer and Chief Marketing Officer. I immediately scoured their social media pages and realized they didn't have a TikTok and weren't posting Reels on Instagram. In this day and age, short-form content is necessary for reach. I saw that there was room for growth and at that very moment, I applied.

As the Senior Marketing Manager, you develop creative video content for Pace Perk Mart's Instagram and TikTok accounts. As a business student, how do you tap into your creative side? Why is it important to you to stay creative as a business student?

I am a business student but don't necessarily try to "tap in" to be creative. I don't see creativity like that. To be creative is to just be human, paying attention to what is life in general, like a friendly "hi," a nice stroll in the park, holding hands, or simple daily deeds. I have always enjoyed the arts and storytelling, and with shortform content I was able to combine those two capabilities into Pace Mart. As a business student I think it is important to stay disciplined.

How will your experience at Pace Perk Mart help you with your career post-graduation?

Pace Mart has given me hands-on experience. This opportunity has shown me the ins and outs of being part of a business. Working with different people really allows you to develop and enhance your communication, teamwork, time management, and leadership skills.

You are also the Vice President of Active Minds, an on-campus organization that promotes the visibility of mental health inclusivity for students. Why was it important for you to be part of this initiative?

I wanted to join the Active Minds organization to shed light on how important mental health is. Mental health awareness should be talked about more effectively. As a veteran, I know that mental health can impact even the strongest of people, so I know how important counseling, therapy, and friendships can be.

What has been your favorite opportunity at Pace?

My favorite opportunities include working for Lubin's student-sun businesses and having access to Pace's strong Career Services team.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students?

My advice to Lubin students is to step forward voluntarily. In business and life, I believe that is what we are asked to do.

What does #LubinLife mean to you?

To me, #LubinLife means a community of opportunity.

Connect with Joseph:

• Connect with Joseph on LinkedIn
• Follow Joseph on Instagram
• Follow Joseph's creative Instagram

Diane Kingery Gentsch is part of rich history at the College of Health Professions (CHP) and Pace University. She, along with her fellow graduates of the class of 1968, was a part of the first Nursing class to graduate from the Lienhard School of Nursing (LSN).

Diane’s college journey paved the way for almost 56 years of graduating classes from LSN. Her passion for nursing is one that current students and alumni alike can relate to.

From the age of 13, Diane knew that she wanted to be a nurse. “I became a candy striper volunteer at Oyster Bay Hospital on Long Island. I did that for two summers and I loved it. That really got me thinking about nursing as a career.”

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Prior to attending Pace, Diane worked at White Plains Hospital in the fall of 1965 where they offered a 3-year diploma program. After her first year was completed, the hospital decided to close the nursing program. Her class was given the option to either finish the next two years at the hospital, or transfer to Pace University. More than half of the 1968 LSN graduating class came from the White Plains program.

“We knew that most major professions require a collegiate degree and we felt it was the way of the future.” Diane and her fellow classmates were, as we know now, 100 percent correct. Nursing is now the largest health care profession in the country, with over 5.2 million registered nurses (RN) nationwide according to the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN).

Knowing you are the first of a program can be a range of emotions – you are part of the beginning of a new opportunity and your experiences will impact future generations of students. Diane and her classmates recognized this when given the option to transfer.

We wanted to be to be part of the first class of nurses at Pace and I’m proud that we took that monumental step. We were now part of the future of nursing.

—Diane Kingery Gentsch, LSN Class of 1968

Thousands of students have now graduated with their bachelor of science degree in nursing from LSN, and in 2010 the College of Health Professions (CHP) was created to provide more educational opportunities for health care. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and Acute Geriatric Advanced Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) are all masters programs that LSN under CHP now offers, in addition to doctorate degrees; PhD in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Post-graduate education allows nursing professionals to expand their areas of knowledge in new ways to prepare for the future. Dr. Jason Slyer has unique insight into these master and doctorate programs, as a two-time alum and dual program director.

“Pace’s FNP program prepared me for a challenging and dynamic career that has spanned the inpatient, outpatient, primary care, and specialty care arenas. Adding a DNP from Pace provided me with additional knowledge and skills to further enhance patient outcomes and quality of life for the underserved populations I care for. Now as a faculty member and the director of the FNP and DNP programs, I am educating the next generation of FNPs to continue to improve today’s every changing healthcare system.”

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Technology and research continue to grow, and the future of health care will evolve as well. CHP remains dedicated to offering and providing all students with the best education at all levels to ensure graduates are ready to enter and dominate the workforce. 2023 graduate of the PMHNP program and Outstanding Student of the Year awardee, Oz Hasis, recognized the CHP’s commitment to setting them up for success.

“The level of dedication and community that I’ve gotten at Pace University is not comparable to any other. Normally I have trust issues, but Professors like Dr. (Maryann) Martin made sure that trust was always there the entire program; always asking what we can do better, always asking if we can make something different. I can say that I can see where Pace University stands, with faculty members who support their students.” Oz has started his new role as a Psychiatric Nurse for New Horizon Counseling Center.

It's been over 50 years since Diane’s beginning at Pace, but the overarching message remains; education opens doors and opportunities to prepare you for the future. For Diane, it led to a rewarding RN career at hospitals and private practice offices along the east coast until her retirement, and for Oz, his next career goal is to be a preceptor for future Pace students.

Visit the Lienhard School of Nursing and the College of Health Professions to learn more about the many offered undergraduate and graduate programs.

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James Kennedy

Class of 2024

Personality and Social Psychology, BA

As a Pace student, James has engaged in multiple research opportunities, such as participation in the British Conference of Undergraduate Research (BCUR) and the World Congress on Undergraduate Research (WorldCUR) in Coventry, England.

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

At BCUR, I had the opportunity to present research with my faculty mentor, Professor Courtney Gosnell, PhD, on politics, relationships, and moral foundations. The goal was to explore factors that might explain why people are able to maintain cross-political party close relationships (and why those relationships sometimes dissolve). As part of this research, we examined if certain moral foundations predict whether an individual will be more open to cross-political party relationships. This study was published in Transactions, Volume 24, and I presented it as a plenary speaker at the Society of Fellows seminar.

At WorldCUR, I had the unique opportunity to collaborate with various international students and conduct a study exploring the challenges of social media usage that might contribute to social disconnect in Generation Z. These experiences have taught me how to network globally and think critically to present my research to a new and diverse audience.

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

I have always been curious about the workings of physical things. At a young age, this meant tinkering with mechanisms and trying to determine what purpose items had in our world. As I prepared for college, I considered a career in architecture, as I liked to design and create. However, I realized that there was more to discover, and this is where my love of social and personality psychology stems from.

Why did you choose to attend Pace?

I chose Pace because it offered a degree specifically focusing on personality and social psychology and one through which I could conduct undergraduate research. After I visited Pace’s Pleasantville campus, I felt it was the right choice for me as the students and faculty made me feel like I belonged. The campus fits me well and the people share similar interests and a passion for learning.

What have your experiences been like with the Pleasantville Psychology Department? What faculty have been instrumental in your academic journey?

Professor Courtney Gosnell has been instrumental in helping me reach my potential. Through her mentorship, I have had the opportunity to conduct research, analyzing topics such as cross-political-party close relationships; social behavior in both romantic and non-romantic relations; and college student experiences, emotions, and mindfulness-based coping practices. One of my most impactful courses in the Pleasantville Psychology Department was Experimental Psychology, through which I collaborated with students over numerous semesters to conduct two of our own research studies. In one, we utilized online questionnaires to investigate the relationship between maximization and birth order, as well as caretaker roles among siblings. In another, we explored first-generation college students’ coping strategies for stress and anxiety through mindful exercise. In summer 2023, I obtained funding through the Provost Office Student-Faculty Undergraduate Research Award to conduct a study I created exploring self- versus partner self-control and its impact on goal conflict within close relationships.

I chose Pace because it offered a degree specifically focusing on personality and social psychology and one through which I could conduct undergraduate research.

Tell us about any other research experiences you have had as a Pace student.

With the guidance of Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Research Maria Iacullo-Bird, PhD, I was introduced to the Council for Undergraduate Research, through which I participated in a first-ever leadership training program called Scholars Transforming through Research. It provided me with professional development tools for communications and advocacy towards stakeholders and lobbyists. Learning how to present my research to obtain funding is a skill that will benefit me in the future.

What other activities or organizations are you involved with at Pace?

At Pace, I started working in the Interpersonal Behavioral Lab during my sophomore year. Initially, I helped students and my advisor with background research and coding for projects being conducted in the lab. I was then introduced to Qualtrics and started creating questionnaires and utilizing more complex tools to control “question behavior,” which refers to how questions in surveys or questionnaires for a research study respond based on certain conditions. I have analyzed data in five of my own projects as well as data from other researcher's projects and class projects. Today, I am a mentor to other student researchers.

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

After graduation, I plan to enroll in a combined master’s and doctoral program that will enable me to become a research psychologist focusing on social psychology. My future career plans include sharing my love of research and discovery in social psychology as a university or college professor, so I may spark an interest in psychology with students from all demographics.

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

Follow what you are passionate about and do not let others tell you what you can’t do. Do not be afraid to make your own path and determine what is best for you. Challenges will arise and be overcome, and you will look back and be shocked at what you have accomplished. Do not let anything hinder your potential. You are capable of way more than you think!