Jillian Houle always had an interest in the law, but what really shifted her gears full-force towards a career in law was her undergraduate education where she studied structural racism, the feminist movement, indigenous rights, food insecurity, and most importantly to her, the climate crisis. “Learning the truths of these matters made me want to explore them further and deeper,” said Jillian. “The more I reflected, the more I came to realize that at the core of each of those subjects is this sense of (what I would consider to be) human rights: the right to not be discriminated against based on race, the right to have affordable access to healthy foods, and the right to live in a stable climate and environmentally just society. The law appeals to me in that it structures the society that plays home to these issues, so I want to spend my life in the realm of the laws, using them, changing them, arguing for and against them in the interests of people and the earth.”

Now a 2L, Jillian has enjoyed her time at Haub Law so far. “I find the Haub Law culture very communal; it is not just an ‘every person for themselves’ atmosphere.” Jillian also has found inspiration in her professors, in particular Professor Greenawalt and Professor Cassuto. “Professor Greenawalt inspired me to be more engaged with politics, SCOTUS, and news generally. I had Con Law with him, and he did a superb job of relating the cases back to present day by bringing in current iterations of issues and fostering thoughtful class discussion about all sorts of prevalent issues.” And, Professor Cassuto’s Environmental Law Survey course was her first “real taste” of environmental law. “The breadth of interesting subjects covered in the course combined with the passion Professor Cassuto imbues into each of his lectures reaffirmed my convictions towards being an environmental lawyer.”

“I find the Haub Law culture very communal; it is not just an ‘every person for themselves’ atmosphere.”

This past summer Jillian interned for the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of General Counsel. With a strong interest in administrative law, Jillian felt this opportunity was a great experience. “I learned so much: big and little picture,” said Jillian. “I learned more in-depth about how federal agencies operate and how to perform legal research on administrative appeals decisions while becoming exceedingly familiar with the Code of Federal Regulations (Title VII, specifically). Additionally, because I was virtually stationed in the Central Region out of the Department’s Little Rock, Arkansas Field Office, I learned that a lot of what the field offices do is based in risk weighing and making critical decisions both based in legal precedent and the CFR, but also in considering less tangible, more subjective factors.” Jillian is grateful for the guidance she received from Professor Elyse Diamond, “I initially found this position on Symplicity, and after receiving an immense amount of help and guidance from Professor Diamond, I was able to secure it.”

While at Haub Law, Jillian is pursuing the Advanced Certificate in Environmental Law. This fall she has worked as an extern with the EPA, Region 2, Office of Regional Counsel in their Criminal Enforcement Division. “My ultimate goal in life is to do whatever I can to help mitigate and reverse the effects of climate change.” Working for the EPA was a dream of hers, so to be able to combine her interests in administrative, public interest, environmental protection, and criminal law all into one experience was very gratifying for Jillian.

In her spare time, Jillian enjoys sunning anywhere she can place her beach chair, going to the beaches on the New Hampshire coast, going on runs and walks daily, exploring NYC, and baking with her roommate. She is also an avid singer – from performing in competitions through college, to now jamming out in her car and in the shower!

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Finding a passion does not always come easy, but all it takes is one experience to change your entire mindset.

Pace University’s College of Health Professions alumna, LaChana Flanders, MS CCC - SLP, found her passion for Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) towards the end of her undergraduate education, and she hasn’t looked back.

LaChana began her education as a biology major, but she always knew she wanted something more. A friend recommended that she enroll in an introduction to communication sciences and disorders course, and it was then that she fell in love with the field of CSD. That semester she changed her major and was ready to learn more. “I couldn't believe that my entire life I had no idea what speech language pathology was, or that there were such passionate, patient human beings in this world doing this type of work,” said LaChana.

Pace University was always one of LaChana’s top choice schools. When she saw that CHP created a Communication Sciences and Disorders master’s degree program, she knew it was where she was meant to be. After completing the program as an outstanding student, she explained that “My education at Pace provided me with externship opportunities that prepared me with real-life scenarios of both providing treatment and communicating with families/caregivers to honor what's best for my patients.”

“My education at Pace provided me with externship opportunities that prepared me with real-life scenarios of both providing treatment and communicating with families/caregivers to honor what's best for my patients.”

In her courses, she learned about all the different environments that speech language pathologists (SLP) can work in. She was most interested in a medical hospital or health care setting, however; she completed externships within school systems to experience everything that the CSD field had to offer. Although she loved her opportunities in education, she knew her heart was set on working within the healthcare industry.

As an established SLP working at Lord Chamberlain Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Stratford, Connecticut, LaChana has learned that when dealing with patients and their families or caregivers, the most important things to have are patience, honesty, and integrity. “While challenges are also rewarding, my biggest one is advocating for my patients and for myself as a healthcare provider and clinician when communicating with families or caregivers. I explain to caregivers why we are completing a particular plan of care, such as dysphagia diets and cognitive strategies, in addition to the evidenced-based support for treatment strategies to do what's best for the patient's recovery. Once that is understood, I remind the caregivers of my personal training and experiences through Pace University's College of Health Professions program.” said LaChana.

LaChana advises all students to find their passion and follow what inspires them. “The most helpful advice I received was from two of my favorite CSD professors, Scott Youmans, PhD, department chair, and Linda Carozza, PhD, associate professor, that ‘if this setting and this specialty is something you are set on doing, do not give up. It is very competitive, but you have what you need and what it takes to make it’”, she quoted. “No matter how challenging it was to secure a position in the medical setting, I never gave up thanks to them!”

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Nothing describes a #Go-Getter better then Pace University’s College of Health Professions (CHP) Lenox Hill Hospital Physician Assistant Program (PA-NYC) graduates.

At Lenox Hill Hospital (LHH) there are 22 advanced clinical providers (ACPs), of which 9 that have graduated from the PA-NYC program! These nine graduates have had some unique experiences and are a great representation of the achievements that students can look forward to in their careers.

Two on the ACP team received nominations for the 2022 ACP Week Awards, including Artur Shlifer ’06, for PA Educator of the Year, and Kristina Soltesz ’20, for Inpatient PA of the Year. Kristina and Artur credit CHP for the incredible learning experiences they received through the clinical rotation opportunities that Pace provides. Artur’s favorite course at Pace was Medical Terminology, paired with his favorite rotation in Neurosurgery at Lenox Hill Hospital (LHH). He has learned the importance of patient care, student education, hospital quality, and being a part of healthcare innovation. After Kristina’s experiences in New York Presbyterian’s Medical Intensive Care Unit and at LHH’s Neurosurgery department, she solidified her interest in critical care medicine and love for procedures. “Being a PA, it is critical to help patients and their families understand their diagnoses and treatment plans and assist them in making medical decisions that positively impact their care.”

Kristina provided an insight into the experience that Pace-LHH Program PA students receive on their elective rotations. “Students get to experience all aspects of being a PA on the team – from writing notes, to examining patients, to doing procedures, and to partaking in patient education. Students frequently note that the rotation is unique in the way that the PAs regard students as fellow team members and encourage them to see themselves as providers.” She excitedly announced that the department is growing quickly, – “Two more former students and recent Pace-LHH PA grads from the class of ‘22, Emily Hirowski and Casey Davidson, just joined the team in November!”

“Students frequently note that the rotation is unique in the way that the PAs regard students as fellow team members and encourage them to see themselves as providers.”

Whitney Vaughn ’19 studied abroad to have the unique opportunity of growing her education and experience outside of the United States. “I was fortunate enough to be able to go to South Africa for one of my electives. Seeing the difference in supplies and access to medical equipment that we take for granted in the U.S. gave me a greater understanding of how lucky we are to be PAs in this country. It showed me just how important physical exam findings can be when labs, imaging, and technology aren’t readily available.”

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Ronni Shalem ’17 turned his fascination into real-life experiences. Through his neurosurgery rotation at LHH he assisted in intricate surgeries, learned the complexities of a neurological exam, and saw what real teamwork in medicine is all about.

Lauren McMaster ’16 grew her interest while taking the course Anatomy and Physiology. As an established PA she is passionate about being able to directly impact patients’ lives, including “contributing to overall patient care and patient outcome, while also forming strong personal relationships with patients and their families at a time when they are most vulnerable.”

Erica Pacello, who graduated in 2021 explained that “Being a Pace-LHH grad myself, I think we all have the word “flexibility” engrained into our minds. The ability to be a provider that’s entrusted with taking care of the patient but also having the time to really get to know them makes going into work easy most days.”

Dominique Anselmin ’20 advises future PA-NYC graduates to, “Treat each rotation as if it was a job interview, regardless of your interest in the specialty. Networking is key to forming great relationships, mentors, and even possible future job opportunities!”

Pace takes pride in educating students from diverse backgrounds and CHP offers a rigorous course of study designed to prepare them for roles as compassionate, ethical, primary care providers. Our graduates are critical thinkers committed to professionalism, teamwork, and community engagement, and they advise all current students to be flexible, find a mentor, never stop learning and to work hard.

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This Giving Tuesday, the Pace Community answered the call and helped us surpass our goal of 1,000 gifts and raised an incredible $417,925.

1,204 Alumni, parents, faculty and staff, friends, and students came together to show their support for Pace University. These donors, hailing from 34 states and 3 countries, not only offered gifts, but also shared why they felt inspired to give. Some of those reasons include:

I give to Pace to give opportunity.

—Theodore W. '68

I know that Pace students and alumni have a unique sense of grit about them. We are go-getters, and I want to be able to support current Pace students in achieving their goals!

—Gabriella F. '16

I was a first-generation college student. I want to be sure there are opportunities for other students to have what I did.

—Susan B. '79, staff

I give because our students become alumni who do amazing things in the world.

—Michele C., staff

I'm in a position to give back because of what Pace gave me decades ago...A great education.

—Damian S. '87

Pace is allowing me to pursue my MA/HEA in a University where diversity is celebrated.

—Sarah F., student

Because I love Pace!

—Billy Y. '02

Whether it was because of Pace's “life-changing opportunities,” or the fact that “our students become alumni who do amazing things in the world,” or simply because “I love Pace”, our community has shown just how much the believe in Pace. The $417,925 raised will go on to support innovative programs across all campuses, enhance the student experience, and help our students achieve their dreams.

Missed Giving Tuesday but are still looking for a way to support Pace? Make your gift today.

During Pace’s third annual Social Justice Week, 50 students gathered in Alumni Hall to paint bells inspired by three words Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. repeated over and over during his historic “I Have a Dream” speech—‘let freedom ring.’

The event was conceptualized by Mikaylah Mgbako ’25, second-year nursing student and current Resident Assistant on the Westchester Campus. For a while, something had been missing for Mikaylah—an outlet for her love of advocacy and volunteerism. “My high school was so small I was able to do so much for them,” she explains. “Pace isn’t super big but in comparison I felt so small and like I couldn’t help anyone. When my Honors advisor sent an email out about the Social Justice Week events, it felt like divine inspiration. Here was a way I could get back to helping people.”

When my Honors advisor sent an email out about the Social Justice Week events, it felt like divine inspiration. Here was a way I could get back to helping people.

Soon, an idea took shape. She would facilitate an event where fellow students could paint bells, evoking King’s famous words, and she would put them on display for Pace Community. But she wanted to do more than create a static exhibit, she wanted to dig deeper. “My event allowed people to come and discuss topics related to race, ethnicity, and social injustice and inequality in a common space, while painting bells and enjoying light refreshments,” she says.

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Advisors for Social Justice Week were concerned that she did not have the backing of a student club or org, but that wasn’t what worried her. “I knew I could do it on my own,” says Mikaylah. It wasn’t the event itself that pushed her out of her comfort zone, but the conversations had while she and nearly 50 other students painted bells and spoke on sensitive topics of race and inequality.

“I’ve done more ‘backseat advocacy’ through marches or fundraising, so I was never the type of person to sit in a room and have conversations with people. And I was actually really uncomfortable,” she admits. “As an RA, many of my residents look up to me. But as a woman of color, many of my residents don’t have my experience facing the same injustices, either based on race or gender. Both facts made me feel nervous about participating. Then I realized if I was uncomfortable, I can only imagine how the people who just stopped by might feel.”

Why not have these conversations and understand where your peers and friends come from?”

She explains that the discomfort seemed to come from the wide mix of students present, and the uncertainty of how people might respond to difficult topics. On one hand, she said she found this challenging, and a little sad. “I feel that if I was speaking with peers who looked like me, other people of color, I’d feel like I was in a safe space to share. It showed me that we’re not having these conversations as often, and experiences like this need to happen more.” On the other hand, despite the discomfort, students stuck around for the painting, and for the conversations. “Everyone was really respectful. My friend who came with me shared a lot of her feelings. Sharing in a student-setting kept it casual and very respectful.”

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Mikaylah purchased 50 bells for the event (with funding granted by the Social Justice Week Committee) and all 50 were painted and are now proudly displayed in the Kessel Student Center, alongside a large bell students can ring. “The message when people see it is that all these people from the Pace Community were able to come together and do something where they bonded, where they could listen and have these conversations,” Mikaylah explains. And even though the conversations were difficult, she hopes for more of them. “It’s how we can understand our neighbors. At Pace, we’re living in these communal-style homes and residence halls. Why not have these conversations and understand where your peers and friends come from?”

It’s a loud reminder—don’t forget about this!”

As for that large bell next to the exhibit, Mikaylah wants you to ring it, and ring it loud. “I hope when people ring the bell it’s really loud,” she says with a laugh. “I hope it makes people wonder what the noise is, so they come look at the exhibit. They can think about how far we’ve come, and hopefully it’ll inspire the next person. It’s a loud reminder—don’t forget about this!”