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.”

This past summer, 2L Mandi Bruns had the honor of being selected as the inaugural Philip Foglia Summer Legal Intern at the NYC Office of the Inspector General’s Office. The Philip Foglia Summer Legal Internship was created in honor of dedicated Haub Law alumnus Philip Foglia who passed away in 2020. Mandi Bruns applied for the internship to further her interest in government investigations. “This internship opportunity really appealed to me. I worked on government investigation matters while working as a legal assistant at a law firm for many years. I am also inspired by Phil Foglia's commitment to fighting organized crime and public corruption, as well as his notorious devotion to community.”

“This internship opportunity really appealed to me. I worked on government investigation matters while working as a legal assistant at a law firm for many years. I am also inspired by Phil Foglia's commitment to fighting organized crime and public corruption, as well as his notorious devotion to community.”

This summer, at the Office of the Inspector General, Mandi had the opportunity to conduct legal research, write memos, attend interviews, discuss ongoing investigations with investigative counsel, and more. “I learned to value the impact that legal research can have on an active investigation.” While there were many highlights, Mandi notes that one that really sticks out to her was having the opportunity to speak with the Inspector General, Lucy Lang, about her experience doing defense versus prosecution work in the City. “I came into law school laser focused on doing defense work, but it was really rewarding getting the perspective of former prosecutors and how they feel they can ensure a fair process throughout the criminal justice system. The IG leads an office with a mentorship mentality. Everyone was fantastic at involving me in their work and explaining the process of an investigation. I came out of the internship learning so much, from how an investigation begins to how it can end in recommending charges to a prosecutor. I hope that I made both the Foglia family and Pace community proud.”

A member of Haub Law’s Class of 1980, Phil Foglia began his legal career at the Bronx DA’s Office. He was later a Special Assistant US Attorney in the SDNY, a partner at a private firm, the Executive VP of SEBCO, and in August 2019, he retired after a lengthy career with the Office of the New York Inspector General as Chief of Investigations and Special Deputy Inspector General. He was also very dedicated to charitable and community work, serving as the pro bono legal counsel for the Bronx Special Olympics and co-founding the Child Reach Foundation. He retired from the Inspector General’s office in 2019.

Learn more about Phil Foglia and the Philip Foglia Summer Legal Internship at the NYC Office of the Inspector General’s Office in the 2022 Haub Law Alumni Magazine.

Aman Islam and Kimberly Mars are both political science majors at Pace—Aman in New York City and Kimberly in Pleasantville. But that’s not where the similarities end. They also both hold the office of President of the Student Government Association’s executive board on their respective campuses.

Not sure what the Student Government Association (SGA) does? No worries—we got you. The purpose of SGA is to represent the voice and rights of the student body, to ensure an environment which supports the development of student leadership and responsibility, and facilitate the activities and interests of the undergraduate student body. Essentially, SGA is the elected representatives of the student body.

With the approach of the fall semester, we sat down with Kimberly and Aman to learn more about their student government background, their governing ideals, and their hopes for the upcoming year. Consider this your introduction to Pace’s SGA presidents.

How did you get involved with student government?

Aman: When I came to Pace, I was trying to find my place on campus in this virtual world. I did student government through high school, so I ran for freshman president. I actually lost that race, but I became a fellow with the SGA and got really involved. This year I decided it was time to try to join the executive board. So what started off as a loss, turned into being president.

Kimberly: This is actually my second term as SGA president. When I first came to Pace, I was on an executive board for Black Student Union and I noticed there was a limitation to what we were able to accomplish. I wanted to make a difference, but I knew I had to be in one of the highest positions to make an impact. That was one of my biggest motivating factors to join SGA.

What are some examples of SGA having a positive impact at Pace?

Aman: The pronouns initiative that happened last year. We saw an issue that wasn’t being addressed. Our freshman class representatives last year decided to write out a proposal to make it easier for students to include their preferred pronouns across digital platforms. We showed it to administration and they adopted it.

Kimberly: Last year we were heavily involved with the Office of Multicultural Affairs and starting this new tradition called the Heritage Celebration, which supports students of color on campus that are graduating. We gave them certificates and the opportunity to feel appreciated for all their hard work.

What hopes do you and the rest of the SGA have for this upcoming year?

Aman: We are coming back stronger than ever. We are branding ourselves not only as an advocacy group but as a programming group. We want to bring events, throw banquets, and have so much fun while advocating for every single student here, regardless of if you are an incoming freshman or an outgoing senior.

Kimberly: We’re starting from scratch with a mostly new board. We want to have town hall events more often so we can gauge what the student body is looking for from us and from the University. We also want to continue doing events that bring the student body together like Springfest, which was an amazing chance to see the entire student body come out.

What are you personally most excited about this year?

Aman: I’m just excited to see where this year takes me, and how the Pace Community grows from COVID-19. It’s just great to see all the new faces coming to campus and all the new people to bring the legacy of Pace globally.

Kimberly: I’m most excited to see the new, incoming class and see what it is they want to get out of Pace. I always love talking to the freshman because they have amazing ideas or ways they want to change or adapt the university to be better for everyone.

Finally, what do you want the students on your campus to know about SGA?

Aman: First of all, welcome to Pace, we’re so excited to have you here. SGA is here for you. If you have a problem, reach out. We can advocate for you, and you can advocate for yourself. We will listen to you. Be loud, be proud, and tell us what you need.

Kimberly: I just want the student body to know that they can come to us for anything. They should never be afraid to use their voice. It is extremely important, and they deserve to be heard. They can speak up in any way they choose, they can come to us, and we’ll help them. We are always here.

To learn more or get in contact with Student Government Association on New York City’s Campus email them at sganycpresident@pace.edu or sganyc@pace.edu and follow the NYC SGA on Instagram.

To learn more or get in contact with Pleasantville’s Student Government Association email them at sgapresident@pace.edu or follow the Pleasantville SGA on Instagram.

Jeffrey A. Barnett, PhD, has joined the Pace Community as vice president for student affairs and dean for students. He most recently served as interim associate dean of students at Stony Brook University, where he has worked for more than two decades in a variety of student affairs and enrollment and retention roles.

Barnett earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Stony Brook and a master’s degree in higher education administration from Teachers College at Columbia University. Last year, he completed his doctorate in social welfare at Stony Brook—with a dissertation focused on fostering belonging among low-income college students.

“Pace is a place that sets itself apart from so many others and I am excited that my professional principles and values align so deeply with the University's mission."

We are excited by the new vision Jeff will bring to Student Affairs, as well as his skill and enthusiasm for connecting with students.

“Pace is a place that sets itself apart from so many others and I am excited that my professional principles and values align so deeply with the University's mission,” says Barnett. “Opportunitas—opportunity for all—is not just a convenient motto here at Pace but rather an easily identifiable foundation woven into the fabric of Pace's mission. It is a singular identity that grounds us in creating transformative experiences and opportunity for all students. This living mission is what pulled me to Pace.”

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jeff at Stony Brook and over the years, as our careers have progressed, we’ve stayed in touch,” says Alerie Tirsch, Pleasantville’s associate dean for students. “He’s very student-centered and innovative. I’m really excited for our community to get to know Jeff.”

At Pace, Barnett will bring deep expertise in organizational leadership, inclusion and belonging, student support services, student programming, risk management, student organization administration, commuter student services and off-campus living, mental health and wellness, emergency management and crisis response, leadership development, peer education prevention programs, new student programs, community relations, marketing and communications, freedom of expression actions, and civic engagement.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming Dr. Barnett to campus and we’re looking forward to working with him in our efforts to continually enhance the student experience,” says NYC Senior Associate Dean for Students Todd Smith-Bergollo. “Jeff is bringing his strong experience and ideas to the table and has already hit the ground running!”

Want to meet our new Dean for Students? Join him, President Marvin Krislov, and Interim Provost Joe Franco at one of our upcoming Welcome Back receptions hosted in Pleasantville and NYC.