The Lubin Link Podcast

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On our first episode of The Lubin Link, alumna Kimberley Jarrett '06 discusses her passion for the beauty industry, how Lubin inspired her to find her footing in the business world, the messages from Lubin she still holds close to her today, and more.

This episode was recorded on September 13, 2022.

• Listen to Kimberley on Spotify
• Listen to Kimberley on Apple Podcasts
• Listen to Kimberley on Anchor

Tune into the Lubin Link podcast to hear how guests went from go-getting Lubin students to successful entrepreneurs, social media mavens, directors, CEOs, and beyond. They offer their best tips to students and share how you can make the most out of your #LubinLife.

A Civil Affairs Instructor in the United States Army Reserve, Devin Auriana has always had a passion for service. A member of the Army Reserve for 8 years, Devin is uniquely situated in his Civil Affairs position, where his department works closely with host nation governments and the civilian populace. “I was fortunate to deploy twice to the Horn of Africa, where I worked extensively in Tanzania and Kenya, teaching Game Wardens better techniques to catch poachers who were actively engaged in illicit trafficking,” stated Devin.

Shortly after returning home from his second deployment, Devin was given an opportunity to work for a non-profit organization geared towards helping Veterans and their families. “Specifically, my job was to assist homeless Veterans in my community and find them gainful employment. Our organization also offers peer services and helps Veterans find suitable housing, especially those that are homeless. Unfortunately, some of our Veterans would find themselves in need of legal counsel. We weren't able to offer such services and due to financial constraints, many could not afford an attorney. This made me realize the impact I could have as an attorney in helping communities in need of legal services, such as Veterans.”

"Unfortunately, some of our Veterans would find themselves in need of legal counsel. We weren't able to offer such services and due to financial constraints, many could not afford an attorney. This made me realize the impact I could have as an attorney in helping communities in need of legal services, such as Veterans.”

Now, a 2L at Haub Law, Devin is thrilled with his Haub Law experience so far. “The professors here really stand out to me. Each of them have such impressive backgrounds and you can tell that they truly care about educating their students so they fully grasp the material presented. In particular, Professor Waldman, my Civil Procedure professor, has been a great educator. She teaches complex material in a relatable and understandable way. I have really enjoyed her class.”

Despite being a full-time law student, Devin also sits on the Dutchess County Veterans Affairs Committee. He is also a New York State Special Olympics Coach, where he coaches athletes with various disabilities in regional Special Olympics Games. After graduation, Devin’s goal is to continue to serve the public, gain experience, and ultimately provide legal counsel to those who need it, whether that is at a district attorney’s office, in a law firm capacity, or somewhere else. He notes, “With a law degree, there are so many opportunities to be able to help others. Ultimately, I would love to tie my experience and passion for helping Veterans together with my legal career – whether this is through pro bono work or otherwise.”

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The Pace University Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program has received accreditation from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), the recognized accreditor of master’s degree programs in those fields. Earning the honor for the first time, the Pace MPA program is accredited for seven years, NASPAA’s maximum accreditation length.

“The NASPAA accreditation is a culmination of the efforts and dedication of our faculty and staff who are committed to advance the quality of our MPA program,” said MPA Director and Associate Professor Gina Scutelnicu-Todoran, PhD. “It is a testament to Pace’s MPA program’s substantial conformity with the highest academic and professional standards in the discipline, enabling us to meet our mission of serving students in the New York City metropolitan area, the state of New York, the US and internationally.”

With the accreditation, the Pace MPA program, housed within the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, joins a global network of more than 200 accredited programs across nine countries, creating and strengthening connections among peer institutions. NASPAA accredits programs that meet its seven standards (PDF), which examine the program’s mission, commitment to public values, positive student outcomes through immersive academics, significant scholarly work from faculty, and satisfactory facilities and resources. The accreditation process includes a self-study completed by the program, as well as a site visit from the Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation.

“Receiving NASPAA accreditation is an exciting and well-deserved milestone for our MPA program,” said Tresmaine R. Grimes, dean of the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences. “The accreditation elevates the University’s and Dyson College’s commitment to quality public affairs education, providing our students with a rich educational experience that prepares them to be the critical thinkers, change agents, and impactful leaders of the future.”

The Pace MPA program is offered on the New York City and Westchester campuses and online and includes the option to specialize in one of three management tracks: government, healthcare, and nonprofit. Catered to both pre-service and in-service students, the program focuses on immersive academic experiences, while offering complementary experiential and co-curricular opportunities through professional internships, an honor society, an MPA-focused student organization, an ICMA Student Chapter, and a partnership with Pace’s Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship.

About the MPA Program: Established on 1979, Pace MPA program prepares pre-service and in-service students to become value-driven public service leaders, managers and analysts in government, heath care and nonprofit organizations. The Department of Public Administration housed in the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences at Pace University currently offers an MPA program with tracks in government, health care, and nonprofit management both in person and online.

About Dyson College of Arts and Sciences: Pace University’s liberal arts college, Dyson College, offers more than 50 programs, spanning the arts and humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and pre-professional programs (including pre-medicine, pre-veterinary, and pre-law), as well as many courses that fulfill core curriculum requirements. The College offers access to numerous opportunities for internships, cooperative education and other hands-on learning experiences that complement in-class learning in preparing graduates for career and graduate/professional education choices.

About Pace University: Pace University has a proud history of preparing its diverse student body for a lifetime of professional success because of its unique programs that combine immersive academics and real-world experiences. Pace is ranked the #1 private, four-year college in the nation for upward economic mobility by Harvard University’s Opportunity Insights, evidence of the transformative education the University provides.

Bronx native and senior human resources executive Peter Fragale '88, Criminal Justice, has provided critical workforce support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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You have had a very successful career in human resources, and currently serve as senior assistant vice president, HR Shared Services, at NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest public health care system in the nation. Tell us more about this role.

Our Shared Services division is the heartbeat of our Human Resources (HR) department. All vital employee records are maintained by our HR information systems and our incredible service unit triages and assists employees graciously with updates and self-service matters pertaining to benefits and work and life changes. Shared Services provides strategic reporting capabilities to our business stakeholders, facilitates employee safety compliance requirements, and manages corporate-wide engagement events.

What aspects of your professional life are you most proud of and why?

Employee engagement, that is, seeing and acknowledging everyone you come in contact with at work every day, has been the staple of my leadership approach and most significant contribution I continue to strive for and provide. This approach requires developing relationships with staff, being authentic and vulnerable, and providing developmental feedback and coaching in the moment. Modeling this behavior and sharing this approach with every manager and supervisor has been the most impactful and satisfying aspect of my professional career.

From planning, hiring, and execution, you’ve been instrumental in the establishment of testing centers across New York City and its five boroughs in the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tell us more about this important accomplishment during a very critical time in our city.

City agencies provided millions in emergency funds to NYC Health + Hospitals to develop and launch the Test & Trace program within a two-month period, and as senior HR lead for this critical initiative, I stood firmly behind my staff, providing the necessary tools and resources to sustain operations. We led the effort to slow COVID-19 transmission under extremely tight deadlines by partnering with our facility HR departments to meet the workforce surge, shifting our roles to increase capacity of work, and adapting to quickly changing needs and new work environments, while providing communication and guidance to the workforce. This critical support allowed our workforce to continue to serve our mission of extending equally to all New Yorkers, regardless of their ability to pay, comprehensive health services of the highest quality in an atmosphere of humane care, dignity, and respect.

How did you get started in your career?

During my junior and senior years, I participated in an internship program through Pace with the City of New York’s now-defunct Urban Corps. As part of this, I was assigned to several New York City agencies, including the Department of Investigation (DOI), who offered me a job two weeks after graduation. I remained with DOI for many years, until I received an opportunity to work as the deputy director of background investigations with NYC Health + Hospitals. That position exposed me to a number of other human resources-related areas that I ultimately learned and mastered and gave me the opportunity to grow in the field.

What attracted you to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice? Were there certain faculty who were instrumental in your academic journey?

I was fortunate to be raised by parents who instilled in me the importance of family and provided guidance and protection with compassion. I started my freshman year at Pace as an undeclared major in the hope that I would be led to a course of study that would embody the values that were important to me. I was fortunate once again to have found Professor of Criminal Justice Casper Faughnan, who demonstrated a unique style and approach to this subject that shattered any negative stereotype I may have had regarding law enforcement. In addition, Professor Lawrence Hundersmarck’s philosophy courses motivated me to see life through different lenses and I learned to expand and extend my learning capabilities, question thoroughly, and to write and think with intention.

My time at Pace taught me about accountability and the benefits of being well informed and using the related knowledge to face future difficulties and make tough decisions.

College is a significant time in a person’s life. As you look back at your time as a Dyson student, how did it influence you to become the person you are today?

College was a pivotal part of my life, as it provided the opportunity for me to be independent and take full responsibility for all my actions, which always have consequences. My decisions during my time at Pace taught me about accountability and the benefits of being well informed and using the related knowledge to face future difficulties and make tough decisions. A born, raised, and life-long resident of the Bronx, I am also a first-generation college student, and I am glad that my parents were able to experience the fruits of their hard labor in witnessing my graduation and the professional career my Pace education provided me.

What advice would you give to our students as they navigate their college life?

Be authentic and always be kind.

Welcome to the Fall 2022 semester and the new academic year!

It is shaping up to be our first post-pandemic academic year at Pace University. I’m proud of how this community came together over the past few years. We’ve stayed safe and healthy, we’ve looked out for each other, and we’ve kept our students engaged and on track in their studies. Now, as our region has reopened and we’ve moved past the crisis phase of the pandemic, we’re excited to move forward to a busy and bustling year.

This morning I sent welcome notes to our students and to our faculty and staff. I encourage you to read them. And, as I said in those notes, I also encourage you to join us for the Welcome Back celebrations we’ll be scheduling on all three campuses over the next weeks. You can get details now on the celebrations in Pleasantville (on Monday, September 12) and New York City (on Tuesday, September 20), and we’ll have more information soon on Haub Law.

I’m looking forward to a great semester—and to seeing you soon either at the Welcome Back celebrations or elsewhere on campus.

Largest Class in Over 10 Years Convene to Kick-Off Academic Year

With the cheer squad and pep band in full swing and faculty and staff cheering on the incoming class, Pace University on Tuesday hosted Convocation on two of its campuses: New York City and Pleasantville in Westchester County.

The energy and excitement on campus was evident as the Pace community enthusiastically welcomed the largest class to its Pleasantville campus in nearly a decade. In addition, all 4 residence halls in lower Manhattan are fully occupied by students.

Convocation is one of the most important traditions for incoming students and sets the academic tone for their years to come. Pace University President Marvin Krislov, Interim Provost Joseph R. Franco, Associate Provost for Student Success Hillary Knepper, and Chief Diversity Officer Tiffany Hamilton provided a warm welcome to a diverse group of students attending who had most of their high school experience disrupted by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Cognizant that these times are inherently unique for many students, President Krislov spoke to students about their mental health and taking care of themselves while introducing students to key academic and student leaders.

“I want you to take care of yourselves,” Pace President Marvin Krislov said in his remarks to students. “At Pace, we have redoubled our commitment to student wellbeing. Throughout the year, departments and student organizations will host events as part of our Wellness Wednesday series. If you need help with anything, if you don’t understand something, just ask.”

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Student leaders encouraged the incoming class to get involved and seize every opportunity available to them.

"Pace does a great job in preparing you for the real world,” said Pleasantville’s Student Government President Kimberly Mars. “However, it’s up to you to make your Pace Path what you want it to be. Take on matters that you are passionate about and overcome apathy. Make sure to be your most genuine self because that's the only person worth being.”

“Go to a march, get involved in your new community, sit in on a city council meeting, ask questions to your local leaders, explain your opinion, and listen to others,” said NYC Student Government President Aman Islam, encouraging incoming students to get involved in advocacy. “Remember that people our age sparked some of the biggest changes in the world through protest, voting, and hard choices…what will the legacy of our generation be? I am constantly trying show people around me how important it is to be an advocate for yourself and others.”