Dyson College Assistant Professor of Psychology Courtney Gosnell, PhD, has long been interested in the interpersonal nuances of relationships. Much of her research has been focused on exploring what allows relationships to thrive and prosper, and how individual goals can positively or negatively impact relationships. Yet over the past several years, she couldn’t help but notice that politics was increasingly becoming personal.

She also noticed a dearth of research in this domain—whereas there is considerable work done about how members of different political affiliations feel about one another, it didn’t necessarily go deeper.

“There’s been a lot of research about how Democrats feel about Republicans and vice-versa, but less work looking at what this looks like in the context of family relationships, or friendships,” notes Gosnell.

In the fall of 2019, Gosnell was awarded a grant that enabled her to assemble a group of seven undergraduate students to further work on this research—first in a reading-intensive and discussion-based setting that would enable the students to gain a feel of what a graduate school seminar might be like—and later on, through applying discussion to formulating an original research idea.

One of the participating students, Sarahlouise Baldwin ’22, found the discussion sessions extremely intellectually stimulating, adding a layer to her academic experience that, as a biology major, she wouldn’t necessarily experience without this unique research opportunity.

“There’s been a lot of research about how Democrats feel about Republicans and vice-versa, but less work looking at what this looks like in the context of family relationships, or friendships,” notes Gosnell.

“Before we knew what the study was going to be, we were having these meetings discussing current affairs, different things we were seeing in media. Eventually, we started questioning each other and ourselves,” says Baldwin. “Why do some people, and some of us, maintain these relationships when we know we wouldn’t willingly start a relationship with someone else with different views?”

That spring, the group, which included Baldwin, Anjolee Spence ’22, Cassandra McKenna ’20, Connor Wills ’20, Alyssa Monty ’22, Shannon Roberson ’22, and Pace graduate student Syed Hasan formulated their discussions into a research idea that would contribute to the academic literature. With Gosnell’s guidance, the group decided to focus on the concept of gratitude—namely, how gratitude can be a driving force for maintaining close relationships across the ever-widening political divide.

“There's a whole academic literature regarding gratitude—on how gratitude helps us connect to people in our close relationships,” says Gosnell. “We knew from our initial work, people might maintain relationships with family members because ‘it’s my mom, she’s done so much for me.’ Maybe gratitude is this mechanism which allows us to be open and understanding.”

Just as the group was planning on initiating the research, the pandemic hit—thus delaying the study. Yet, the project was able to move forward a few months later thanks to the dedication of Baldwin and Spence, who dedicated hours during the summers of 2020 and 2021 to conducting the research, carrying out analysis and conducting rounds of coding.

As the research became more developed at the end of this past summer, the group began thinking about venues to present their findings. The project, titled “The Influence of Gratitude on Close Relationships with Opposing Political Affiliation” was accepted to the prestigious Posters on the Hill presentation sponsored by the nationally based Council on Undergraduate Research. Baldwin, who is likely the first Pace student to ever present at this conference, shared her findings with congressional leadership and staff when she presented on April 27.

"I was so grateful for the experience. Although it was nerve-racking, I’ve become really comfortable with the research and enjoy talking about it," notes Baldwin. "This was a unique opportunity, and I am glad I was able to do something of this caliber with our work before I graduate."

"This was a unique opportunity, and I am glad I was able to do something of this caliber with our work before I graduate."

Although Baldwin is not looking to go into politics or psychology with her biology degree after Commencement this year, she views this research as an invaluable component of her Pace education, and one that will undoubtedly help her gain greater perspective in both her professional and personal life.

“As someone who is hoping to go into the medical field, I’ve gotten questions before as to why I’m so invested in research in political psychology,” said Baldwin. “I believe that this research is very important and fundamental to understanding our interaction with others, and the way that our own emotions and feelings can influence how and why we interact with people.”

Gosnell hopes that continuing to explore this topic and promoting their teams’ findings could potentially spur applications to help reduce polarization; and at the very least, underscore the complexity of individuals and the necessity of reaching common ground despite political differences.

“Ideally, if we want to come together and not be so polarized as a country, it takes a little bit of understanding of different perspectives. It’s hard to do that when you feel like it’s my group vs. another group, but easier when you have, say, a cousin or a parent who has these different views,” notes Gosnell. “If I maintain this type of relationship it doesn’t mean I’m going to adapt their views, but it gives us a better understanding, promotes discussion, and makes it less of an us vs. them situation.”

“If I had to give advice for someone who was coming into Pace, it would be this: you have to take risks, you have to put yourself out there, and you can’t be afraid of the results.”

These are the words of School of Education student Naya Rivera ’22, set to graduate this month with a combined degree—a bachelor’s in adolescent education-biology, and a master’s in special education. When Rivera walks across the stage at Commencement, she will do so as one of the more accomplished SOE students in recent memory. She’s been able to balance her exceptional academic pedigree (She will graduate with a near-perfect 3.97 GPA) with a wealth of impactful extracurricular activities—that range from education-based research, to tutoring, to basketball.

And by basketball, we mean that Rivera, amidst all her impressive academic achievements, was the co-captain and key member of the Pace Women’s basketball team—and helped lead the Setters move all the way to the Elite Eight this season, cementing herself and the team in Pace basketball history. Considering that Rivera tore her ACL in high school and was strongly weighing walking away from the sport, the very decision to play certainly qualifies as a risk; one that she is supremely glad she took.

“Basketball has been amazing for me,” says Rivera. “It gave me an opportunity to come to this school and gain these incredible experiences and make lifelong friends, faculty mentors, coaches, all of these things I didn’t know I was going to have.”

Off the court, Rivera has been deliberate about understanding what it takes to be an exceptional educator. She has gained a considerable amount of classroom experience as a technology teacher in the Ossining school district, where she started as a volunteer and withstood the many challenges of teaching during the pandemic first-hand. She’s also conducted invaluable research alongside faculty mentors including Jennifer Pankowski, EdD, developing teaching modules that explicitly raise social justice and race in the context of these interactions, aiming to elevate equity in the work of teacher education. For this work, Rivera was selected to present at the American Education Research Association, considered one of the premier conferences in the field.

“People are listening, you feel seen as a student, you get opportunities to see your ideas in action. And that has to do with the research as well,” says Rivera. “It’s very empowering to have people who believe in you, and take a risk on you, because you want change.”

“People are listening, you feel seen as a student, you get opportunities to see your ideas in action. And that has to do with the research as well,” says Rivera. “It’s very empowering to have people who believe in you, and take a risk on you, because you want change.”

As she moves from the student-side of the classroom to the educator-side, she hopes to tackle the research-to-education gap—recognizing that for all the great theoretical work being done, it’s not always easy to apply new teaching techniques into classrooms. Rivera is intent on changing this reality and is committed to taking applying novel educational techniques to foster lasting educational improvement.

“We have a huge research-to-practice gap,” says Rivera. “I want to see that work in the field. I want to be someone that institutes new things. I don’t want to be the type of teacher that continues to do the same things that do not work.”

As for the future? Rivera hopes to embark on her teaching career soon—and then, after many years of experience in the classroom and building lasting bonds with students, fellow educators, and the school community—moving toward school leadership as a principal.

“In five years, I could see myself still being a teacher, but down the line I want to be a principal. I want to take the time that I can to build those relationships. People are made through the interactions they have with people.”

With Rivera’s achievement in her Pace career combined with the penchant for leadership she’s already shown, it’s not difficult to envision her reaching all of her goals and then some. All of which she credits to simply putting herself out there—and being willing to try new things, no matter the outcome.

“Just coming to Pace, having the opportunity to put myself in a situation where I was uncomfortable, allowed me to grow so much as a person and as an individual. I love it.”

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Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University honored the achievement of seven distinguished retiring faculty members at a celebration held at the law school on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. The honorees, including Karl S. Coplan, Linda C. Fentiman, Margaret M. Flint, Marie Stefanini Newman, John R. Nolon, Audrey Rogers, Merril Sobie, retired over the past three years. Fellow faculty, alumni, students and colleagues gathered together for the first time since the pandemic to thank them for their years of teaching, scholarship and service to the law school.

“These professors and scholars have contributed so much to our law school over the years,” said Haub Law Dean Horace Anderson. “Each of these professors have led at the law school, as directors of centers and clinics, leaders in their academic fields, and more. They have also been teachers and mentors to generations of students and faculty. The role each of these individuals have played over the years in helping those that they are working with and those that they are teaching to accomplish their goals is among their most important contribution they have made to our community and the legal community at large.”

The entire Haub Law community celebrates the legacy of the following seven faculty members and congratulates them on the next chapter in their lives. They have all be awarded titles as Emeriti Professors and many will continue to teach, conduct research or be involved at the law school.

Karl Coplan, Professor of Law and director of Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic, joined Haub Law in 1994. Professor Coplan is best known for teaching the Environmental Skills course and writing the problem for the Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition, one of the nation’s largest interschool moot court competitions. Professor Coplan recently published his book "Live Sustainably Now - A Low-Carbon Vision of the Good Life." He is now going to sail around the world!

Linda Fentiman became a Professor at Haub Law in 1996. She specializes in health law and criminal law, and has written extensively about bioethics, health care access, and mental disability, addressing the insanity defense, competency to stand trial, fetal protection, physician advocacy, organ transplantation, death and dying, telemedicine and Internet pharmacies. Her more recent work focused on women and addiction. She is the author of the book “Blaming Mothers - American Law and the Risks to Children’s Health.”

Margaret (Gretchen) Flint joined Haub Law in 1999 and retired in 2019 as Executive Director of John Jay Legal Services and faculty supervisor of the Equal Justice America Disability Rights/Health Law Clinic. She has taught Elder Law and the Legal Services/Public Interest/Health Law Externship seminar.

Marie Stefanini Newman was the associate director of the Haub Law Library from 1993 until 1998, when she became the acting director, and she was appointed the director of the Law Library in 1999. During her time at Haub Law, she was instrumental in designing and implementing innovative uses of technology to enhance library services. Professor Newman serves as the Database Editor for Pace’s award-winning database on the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG).

John Nolon supervises student research and publications regarding land use, sustainable development, climate change, housing insecurity, racial inequity, and the COVID-19 viral pandemic. He is Counsel to the Law School's Land Use Law Center which he founded in 1993. Professor Nolon is co-author of the nation's oldest casebook on land use law "Land Use and Sustainable Development Law: Cases and Materials." In 2014, Professor Nolon was named a Distinguished Professor by Pace University, the highest honor the University can bestow upon a faculty member.

Audrey Rogers, who has been on the faculty since 1988, taught in the areas of Criminal Law, Family Law, and Cyber-Crime. She has written a number of articles, with a particular focus on crimes against children such a child pornography and cyber-bullying, leading the conversation in an area of the law rapidly growing in the digital age.

Merril Sobie joined the Haub Law faculty in 1978. He specializes in family and children’s law. Professor Sobie taught Jurisprudence, Children and the Law, Advanced Family Law, and Comparative Family Law. He has authored two books, “New York Family Court Practice” and “The Creation of Juvenile Justice: A History of Children’s Law,” has published the official McKinney’s Commentaries to the Family Court Act and the Domestic Relations Law, and has authored numerous articles concerning children’s laws. Professor Sobie was recently honored by the New York State Bar Association with a special lifetime achievement award for decades of contribution to family law and children’s law.

At Haub Law, these professors have taken pride on excelling in teaching, scholarship, and services. Students have benefit from their knowledge and experience in all three parts of their roles as full-time faculty members. They have been mentors to decade of graduates, providing practical advice, career guidance and opportunities to collaborate on research and advocacy projects that have enabled Haub Law Alumni to thrive in their careers.

Pace University President Marvin Krislov, who spoke at the event via video, said these professors have been integral in making the Elisabeth Haub School of Law what it is today. “Whether in seminars or lecture halls, running law clinics or a law library, helping build our top ranked environmental law program, or supervising ground-breaking environmental research, [they] have helped us build our reputation, educate generations of attorneys, and advocate for positive change in our region and our world,” said President Krislov.

View photos from the faculty retirement celebration

Nursing student Kalin Tang '22 traveled around the world and found herself at Pace University’s Lienhard School of Nursing (LSN). Kalin and her family lived in countries like Hong Kong, Korea, and Thailand, and also in several states throughout the United States.

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These world-wide experiences are what inspired her to become a nurse. While living in Thailand, Kalin was involved in an organization called Kids Action for Kids, working as a main supporter during humanitarian missions in northern Thailand. The organization raises awareness and funds for children who have cleft lips and cleft palates and cannot afford surgery. The volunteering surgeons and nurses on the missions were primarily from the United States. “Through these humanitarian missions, I realized my passion of caring for and helping others. I have had experience with language barriers and realized that despite the differences, I am still able to provide the best patient care and well-being for the client by using various resources,” said Kalin.

Kalin started her college experience at Florida State University and applied to their nursing program after her first two years. Although she was saddened to find out she was not admitted, she was not going to let it stop her. “I knew nursing was my passion and this obstacle was not going to stop me,” said Kalin.

“I knew nursing was my passion and this obstacle was not going to stop me."
—Kalin Tang

As a dedicated and driven young woman, Kalin decided she wanted to take her career and education to New York City. After learning about LSN’s exceptional NCLEX pass rates and numerous clinical placement opportunities, she applied to Pace.

The clinical sites that LSN offers allow students to grow their education in a wide range of different medical fields. LSN nursing students gain a deeper understanding of efficiency and proactive nursing by working at Level I trauma centers and Magnet status hospitals throughout the Metropolitan Area. “I completed my preceptorship at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital where I was a second-assist nurse in the operating room. As a student nurse, I was able to advance my clinical skills and had an opportunity to assist in a surgical procedure. Having this unique experience gave me a glimpse of what it is like being a perioperative nurse and opened my perspective to different nursing fields.”

Kalin’s real world experiences did not end there; in Fall 2021 she was accepted to the White Plains Hospital Nurse Externship Program and became a per diem nurse technician at an ICU/Step-Down unit. Working at a Magnet Status Hospital like White Plains Hospital allowed her to learn the importance of effective communication, prioritizing tasks efficiently, and being a team player while providing quality primary care to patients and clients.

Through hands-on experience provided by LSN, Kalin learned more about public health in nursing, which gave her the opportunity to gain a different perspective outside of a hospital setting. Kalin was inspired by LSN’s course, NURS 476: Community and Environmental Health Nursing. In this course students partner with community-based organizations to apply concepts of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention in creating health promotion, early intervention, and disease management strategies for individuals, families, and populations. Kalin's participation in this course grew her passion for helping underdeveloped countries and communities and aiding those in need of proper medical care.

Her goal after graduating in May 2022 is to work at an ICU nurse residency program in New York City. She plans to further her education and become a nurse practitioner in critical care. “My clinical experience at Pace University allows me to understand the importance of therapeutic communication, trust, and providing quality care to patients. Throughout my time at Pace, I utilized my experiences and implemented them into my young career,” said Kalin.

"You're empowered to create your own experience, to tailor it around the impact that you want to make here on campus," says Film and Screen Studies student Justin Winley. "I'm building a community that I can draw on even after I graduate."

Jennifer Kelly-Kennedy knew that she wanted to be a lawyer from an early age. After graduating from Catholic University and majoring in politics, Jennifer spent a few years gaining work experience before studying for the LSAT and applying to law school. Set on focusing on environmental law, she knew that Haub Law was the best option for her. Haub Law did not disappoint, as she experienced a variety of positive internship placements throughout her three years. Now, a soon to be graduate, we asked Jennifer to discuss her Haub Law experience and post-graduation plans with us in this Q+A.

What brought you to law school and Pace in particular?

I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer, from an early age. Neither of my parents nor any of my grandparents were lawyers, but for some reason or another I knew I wanted to be a lawyer. My mom was a nurse and my dad an accountant, and they just wanted the best for me. Growing up, my mom always told me “If you have the ability to help other people, then you have the responsibility to help other people.” And this has always been the mantra I’ve tried to follow in my career, which is why I love environmental law.

My cousin is a successful Haub Law graduate, and she too specialized in environmental law, so it was an easy decision when I chose the #1 ranked Environmental Law program in the country.

You are now a 3L, what experiences from your time at Pace were most impactful?

I enjoyed all of my law school internships and clinic experiences. The spring of my 1L year, I was a research assistant in the Land Use Law Center for Professor John Nolon. There, I assisted Professor Nolon with research for a law review article that had been accepted for publication. During my 1L summer, I was the Environmental Law Clerk at PSEG, where I assisted attorneys in Superfund litigation work. I was also a judicial intern for a Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of New York in the spring of my 2L year, where I performed citation checks, case law research, and helped draft a Report and Recommendation regarding a federal habeas corpus petition. I was also the Vice-Chair of the Judges Committee for NELMCC as a 2L, where I learned the importance of patience when helping organize a large, virtual event.

My 2L summer I interned at the EPA Region 2 in their NJ Superfund Division, where I did a lot of legal research on a variety of issues, including CERCLA’s petroleum exclusion, as well as corporate liability under the Office of Alien Property Custodian. The fall semester of my 3L year, I was a student attorney in the Food and Beverage Law Clinic, where I provided transactional legal services for a beginning farmer project in upstate New York, as well as performed legal research and analysis on U.S. Trademarks, preparing applications for trademark filings, all under the guidance of Professor Jonathan Brown.

Additionally, I’ve been a member of Pace Environmental Law Review for the past two years, as a Junior Associate as a 2L, and Managing Editor as a 3L. This year, PELR hosted a symposium, in which we invited eight panelists to speak on the topic of Labor and Environment: Envisioning a Green New Deal.

I say all this to drive the point home that, I am proud of all of these experiences and grateful to have had so many opportunities at Haub Law, as I’ve learned something different from each one, and made great connections along the way.

I have also been very fortunate to have had many professors at Pace that have made an impact on me, but two specifically stick out: Professor Katrina Kuh, who I had as a 1L for Torts, as well as being just a great mentor to me in the environmental program and as I wrote my law review note; and Professor Alissa Bauer, my 1L Legal Skills and AAA professor, who taught me to be the best legal writer I can and have more confidence in my skills. I am truly very thankful for their kindness and guidance.

I am proud of all of these experiences and grateful to have had so many opportunities at Haub Law, as I’ve learned something different from each one, and made great connections along the way.

What are your plans post-graduation?

I have accepted a post-grad position as an Honors Attorney at the Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C. I am beyond thrilled to be working for the federal government again, this time as an attorney. It is a two-year position, where the Honors Attorneys rotate between the different Administrations (FAA, FTA, Office of General Counsel, etc.) every few months, in order to get a better sense of what each division does. I am excited to incorporate all of my environmental law experience and knowledge in with my future work at the DOT. Environmental issues and DOT projects go hand-in-hand, and after the recently passed Infrastructure Bill, the DOT is going to be busier than ever! For me, this is a dream job, and I cannot be more thankful to the many people that have helped me along the way. I’m not sure if I would have been as competitive of a candidate if I weren’t a Pace environmental law student.

What is your advice for future law students?

Be kind, we’re all in this together, and the law community, especially the environmental law community is smaller than you think, so maintaining positive relationships with colleagues is crucial. Stay humble, everyone has good days as well as bad. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a Haub Law alum and learn from their experiences. Take advantage of opportunities presented to you, even if you don’t think it’s what you’re interested in, and don’t be discouraged if setbacks happen. Trust the process!

The PaceDocs Team focuses its film on the remarkable journey of oysters, their farmers, and their role in cleaning the water

Pace University’s documentary film team – PaceDocs – is set to premiere Tide to Table: The Remarkable Journey of Oysters at 7:00 p.m. on May 10 at the Jacob Burns Film Center.

It will be the first in-person premiere for the program since 2019, before the pandemic, and continues a distinguished tradition of producing documentaries that shine a light on important environmental issues. Free tickets for the reception and screening are available, though space is limited.

Tide to Table documents how oysters rely on the ebb and flow of the tide for flavor. One oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day; their survival is determined by their farmers, deeply rooted in their tradition and connection to the sea. The documentary, filmed on-location across the flats of Cape Cod, the shores of Connecticut’s Long Island Sound, and the urban waterways of New York City, features scientists, historians, shellfish constables, and farmers. It explores the serendipitous relationship between nature, oyster farmers, modern aquaculture technology, and a movement to better understand their ecological value, while showing how oysters are thriving in areas such as Cape Cod and being restored in once depleted regions such as Connecticut and New York City as a means of improving water quality.

“The PaceDocs team, under the leadership of Professor Maria Luskay, has once again produced an extraordinary, meaningful, and professional film,” said Marvin Krislov, president of Pace University. “ ‘Tide to Table’ is another great example of the hands-on experience and valuable environmental lessons that Pace students receive when they take this course. I marvel at the consistent excellence and talent in this program and am incredibly impressed by this group of budding filmmakers.”

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The documentary is produced by Professors Luskay and Lou Guarneri. The popular class, ‘Producing the Documentary,’ is part of the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences at Pace University’s highly regarded film program that requires students complete a full-length environmentally themed documentary within 14 weeks. During the process, they learn teamwork, problem-solving, research, and organization, along with technical skills such as lighting, sound, camera work, interviewing, and other real-life lessons necessary to complete a film.

“It’s gratifying to be filming with students on location and sharing this experience with them once again,” said Professor Luskay. “Throughout it all, we brought together a diverse group of students with a full schedule of work. In the process, we not only learned first-hand about the plight of the oyster farmer braving the elements, but also the grit and determination required to complete the film on a tight deadline. It was an incredibly rewarding experience for us.”

Students, a mix of graduate and undergraduate students, marveled at what it was like to work on and produce a professional-caliber film.

“One of the great things about this course is that it was the first time in my life where I’ve done consecutives days, even weeks, in a real film environment,” said Diego Mallens, a junior cinema and filmmaking major from Miami, Fla. “It was interesting to learn about the topic, and it was great to learn from professionals. Within days of meeting the team members, we bonded over a common goal and produced a film we can all be proud of.”

“This was great hands-on experience,” said Nicole Manning, a digital cinema and filmmaking major from New Fairfield, Conn. who is exploring careers in film and television production. “This is the most practical and productive class you can take because you have to think like a professional and apply skills you’ve learned in class. This was a great experience and something I’m putting on my resume and showing potential employers.”

In recent years, Pace filmmakers have produced documentaries around the globe focusing on a number of topics, including the importance of bees as pollinators in our food supply (2021); the impact of earthquakes in Hawaii (2019); the endurance of the people of Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria (2018); Cuba at a cultural crossroads (2016); reviving Curacao’s coral reefs (2015); as well as many other poignant films.

“Dyson College’s student filmmakers have produced another moving documentary that delves into an important ecological issue,” said Tresmaine R. Grimes, dean, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education. “The students learn and perfect their craft while educating us all. I am so moved by the talents of this team and the compelling film they have made. Congratulations to them and Professors Luskay and Guarneri for another impressive PaceDocs production.”

About Pace University

Pace University has a proud history of preparing its diverse student body for a lifetime of professional success as a result of its unique program that combines rigorous 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. From its beginnings as an accounting school in 1906, Pace has grown to three campuses, enrolling 13,000 students in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in more than 150 majors and programs, across a range of disciplines: arts, sciences, business, health care, technology, law, education, and more. The university also has one of the most competitive performing arts programs in the country. Pace has a signature, newly renovated campus in New York City, located in the heart of vibrant Lower Manhattan, next to Wall Street and City Hall, and two campuses in Westchester County, New York: a 200-acre picturesque Pleasantville Campus and the Elisabeth Haub School of Law in White Plains. Follow us on Twitter or on the Pace News website.

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.