Bernard K. Freamon joins the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University faculty as a visiting professor for spring 2022, teaching Criminal Law and an Advanced Criminal Law Seminar on Slavery and Human Trafficking. A professor at Seton Hall Law School for 37 years, he achieved emeritus status when he retired in 2016. Professor Freamon's research and teaching interests focus on Islamic Jurisprudence and Islamic Legal History. Learn more about Professor Freamon, his current work, and his advice for law students interested in these particular areas of law in this student-led interview.
Bernard K. Freamon joins the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University faculty as a visiting professor for spring 2022, teaching Criminal Law and an Advanced Criminal Law Seminar on Slavery and Human Trafficking. A professor at Seton Hall Law School for 37 years, he achieved emeritus status when he retired in 2016. Professor Freamon's research and teaching interests focus on Islamic Jurisprudence and Islamic Legal History. Learn more about Professor Freamon, his current work, and his advice for law students interested in these particular areas of law in this student-led interview.
What will you be teaching this semester at Haub Law?
Criminal Law and Advanced Criminal Law Seminar on Slavery and Human Trafficking.
Where are you coming from? What brought you here?
I taught at Seton Hall Law for 37 years and retired in 2016. I taught post-conviction remedies, which deals with a defendant’s claims after conviction and habeas corpus. I also taught evidence, PR, and Islamic Jurisprudence. While there, I ran several study abroad programs, including programs in Egypt, Zanzibar, and Jordan. The program in Zanzibar focused on slavery and human trafficking. The program in Egypt focused on Islamic Jurisprudence.
I taught a summer writing course at the Judicial Institute at Pace. I saw Pace was looking for visiting professors, it interested me, so I applied and was offered the position. Pace has a good criminal law reputation. I’m happy to be at Pace, I’m really enjoying it. I’ve got great students.
Can you tell me about your work? What are you working on now?
My main work is on slavery in the Islamic world. I just finished a book on slavery in the Islamic world and in Muslim cultures. There’s a movement among scholars to abolish slavery under Islamic Law. However, there’s an argument to the contrary and this argument enables human trafficking, forced labor, and slavery in some places in the world. 40% of the world’s enslaved people are enslaved in the Muslim world. Abolishing slavery under Islamic Law would enable the Islamic govts to prohibit slavery and related activities – forced labor, forced adoption, servile marriage, child marriage. I have a website called “Ijmāʿ on slavery” — it means “consensus on slavery” and it seeks to develop a Muslim scholarly consensus on slavery.
I recently took a job at Roger Williams Law School, which is one of the only two law schools in the U.S. that have a mandatory Critical Race Theory course. I was hired as the director of that course, and it’s related to my scholarship. I'll be moving to Rhode Island in June.
I also have a small post-conviction relief practice in NY and NJ representing prisoners.
What brought you to slavery in the Islamic world?
I’ve been interested in slavery because I’m African American. I traveled to Zanzibar while I was teaching abroad. I learned Zanzibar was effectively the capital of the Indian Ocean slave trade, which was largely run by Muslims. Most Muslims are taught to revere the equality of all humans, and that there was and is no slavery in Islam. This is factually wrong. Although Islam teaches the equality of all human beings, the practice of Islam has not lived up to that ideal. It’s like Thomas Jefferson who said all men are created equal, yet owned slaves.
What advice do you have for law students interested in your field of law?
Try to get relevant experience.
For Slavery - there are opportunities at the UN office on Drugs and Crime, there are also anti-slavery NGOs. There is one in Washington called Free the Slaves. The oldest human rights organization in the world is Anti-Slavery International and it’s based in the UK. There are also some in France, Ireland, etc. So a law student should try to get an internship in one of these NGOs or the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Also, working in a Justice Dept. or US Attorney’s Human Trafficking Office is good experience and any local prosecutor’s office that has an anti-trafficking department.
For post-conviction relief experience, I would suggest the state or federal public defender’s offices, or perhaps conviction integrity units in a prosecutor’s office; not quite post-conviction relief though, it’s from the prosecutor’s side. It is also important work.
It is worth noting that, for both slavery and post-conviction relief, habeas corpus remains the primary judicial remedy. Being a slave is very much like being in prison.
Gabriella Mickel, a 2023 JD Candidate at Haub Law, authored this faculty Q&A. Gabriella is a Land Use & Haub Scholar, the President of the Environmental Law Society, a Junior Associate on Pace Environmental Law Review, and on the E-Board for NLG, Lambda, and ACS. Outside of school, she owns three sports supplement stores and is the co-editor of the Law Student Corner section of the NYSBA EELS Journal.
Pace’s Public Administration program will be collaborating with the Hispanic Advisory Board, under the leadership of Westchester County Executive George Latimer, to conduct a new comprehensive survey targeting the Latino community.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement during 2020 forever shaped communities around our nation. Capturing first-hand experiences of how these events impacted people is a critical part of providing primary sources for future researchers, and that’s what Assistant Provost and Clinical Associate Professor of History Maria Iacullo-Bird, PhD, set out to achieve with her Oral History Project.
Pop star Jojo Siwa's perceived lack of authenticity and ignorance of queer history has turned members of the LGBTQ+ community against her, experts say, and for tangible reasons.
Pace’s NYC Campus community is invited to join us for our annual Wellness Week, where you can take advantage of classes and resources to help you to de-stress, refresh, and feel great.
Wellness Week is an annual initiative where Pace students can join classes and utilize resources aimed at improving their mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. From yoga and meditation classes, to relaxing artistic workshops, this year’s lineup of in-person and virtual offerings will empower you to take control of your wellness.
Self-Love and Body Positivity
Tuesday, February 22 | 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
One Pace Plaza, Student Center West
Join us for a beautiful, body positive experience. Learn to love your body through body affirming exercises, enjoy inspirational talks, and connect with other students. Light refreshments will be served.
Wake Up and Meditate with Greg Weil
Wednesday, February 23 | 10:00 a.m.
One Pace Plaza, Student Center West
Open your mind and ground yourself with an early meditation experience, where you can learn strategies to practice mindfulness and self-care. Light refreshments will be served. Can’t make it in-person? Attend virtually via Zoom:
Meeting ID: 915 0441 1030
Passcode: mindful
Writing to Heal Workshop
Wednesday, February 23 | 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
One Pace Plaza, Student Center West
Unlock the power of writing to tap into deeper reflection, holistic healing, and richer self-expression. Light refreshments will be served. Can’t make it in-person? Attend virtually via Zoom:
Meeting ID: 995 2148 1046
Passcode: 587406
Glowing from the Inside Out: Nutrition for Pace University Wellness Week
Wednesday, February 23 | 3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
One Pace Plaza, Student Center West
Two Pace alumni from the NYC Campus, one a registered dietician and one a therapist, share simple steps to empower, motivate, and create self-sustaining, healthy eating patterns for those who have full schedules and a tight budget. Light refreshments will be served. Can’t make it in-person? Attend virtually via Zoom:
Meeting ID: 963 8502 5847
Passcode: GlowUp
Healing Through Creative Arts
Thursday, February 24 | 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
One Pace Plaza, Student Center West
Create cards of encouragement for others, de-stress with coloring and crafts, and practice guided gratitude exercises in this workshop geared towards healing. Light refreshments will be served.
Yoga Healing
Thursday, February 24 | 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
One Pace Plaza, Student Center West
Learn about benefits of yoga and foster a deeper mind-body connection. Can’t make it in-person? Attend virtually via Zoom:
Meeting ID: 954 8552 0549
Passcode: 946485
Yoga with Shannon Haick
Thursday, February 24 | 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
One Pace Plaza, Student Center West
Relax with this engaging yoga and meditation class through deep breathing techniques and healing stretches. Yoga mats are provided for in person attendees, if needed. Can’t make it in-person? Attend virtually via Zoom:
Meeting ID: 954 8552 0549
Passcode: 946485
Social Justice Week at Pace University is designed to offer an ongoing memorial for DJ Henry and further commit Pace to social justice and anti-racism. All students, staff, and faculty are invited to apply to this year's Social Justice Week planning committee. Applications are due by Friday, March 11.
College of Health Professions Associate Professor and occupational therapist John Damiao is leveraging technology to make substantial improvements to the lives of wheelchair users through research, aiming to increase comfort and reduce injuries.
Get ready, because the career fairs are coming. See what Career Services has on the docket for the Spring 2022 semester. Current Pace students and recent graduates are welcome to attend.
The pandemic has disrupted so many ways we’re used to leading our lives. It has changed the world of work, as more and more of us work in remote and hybrid forms. As an educator focused on career preparation—and as the parent of three kids in their 20s—I know that recent grads have always relied on connection and camaraderie to help them establish a career and build a life. In our new and changed world of work, I want to ensure that they’re still seeing the wide-open world of opportunity they’re entitled to expect as they start their lives and careers.
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rockefeller Jr., longtime residents of the Hudson Valley, philanthropists, and supporters of the arts, have donated a beautiful oil painting by a celebrated contemporary Chinese artist to Pace University. The painting, entitled Sunflower by Huang Yue, will be on display in a secure location at Pace’s Mortola Library. It was presented to President Marvin Krislov on Feb. 10, 2022 at The Choate Art Gallery on the Pleasantville campus.
PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rockefeller Jr., longtime residents of the Hudson Valley, philanthropists, and supporters of the arts, have donated a beautiful oil painting by a celebrated contemporary Chinese artist to Pace University.
The painting, entitled Sunflower by Huang Yue, will be on display in a secure location at Pace’s Mortola Library. It was presented to President Marvin Krislov on Feb. 10, 2022 at The Choate Art Gallery on the Pleasantville campus.
“This fine contemporary Chinese oil painting is a wonderful addition to our collection,” said President Krislov. “We are grateful to Steven and Kimberly Rockefeller, appreciative of their philanthropic leadership throughout the region, and very pleased that our students will now have the chance to admire this fine artwork and learn about its significance.”
“Huang Yue’s Sunflower has brought years of joy to our offices and then in our home,” said Steven Rockefeller. “Kimberly and I are delighted that it can now shed its good fortune on those passing through the distinguished halls of Pace.”
Huang Yue is an artist of international renown, in part, because of ways in which he depicts Chinese bird and flower motifs while fusing the ancient Chinese brush form that was developed hundreds of years ago with oil painting techniques, and blends influences from artists of the West.
The artist was born in Beijing in 1960 and graduated from the Beijing Film academy in 1982 with a degree in fine arts. He subsequently had an opportunity to continue his art studies in the United States. A selection of his paintings was exhibited in 2017 at the Grand Palais in Paris, which has a long and storied history of exhibiting artists such as van Gogh, Picasso, and Monet.
“This inspirational painting bridging Asian and Western European art traditions could not come to Pace at a more meaningful time,” said Professor Kim de Beaumont, curator of the Pace University permanent art collection. “The picture's vibrant colors emerging from a somber background suggest a world that is gradually returning to life and hope. Pace students--and the entire Pace community--will have a chance to reflect on the poetic possibilities every time they emerge from the Mortola Library into the natural surroundings of the Pleasantville campus.”
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
A Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science connects you to a variety of in-demand careers including physician assistant, nurse, health advocate, and so many others! The healthcare field is growing, providing a variety of opportunities for students to pursue fulfilling career paths that make a difference in people’s lives.
A Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science connects you to a variety of in-demand careers including physician assistant, nurse, health advocate, and so many others! The healthcare field is growing, providing a variety of opportunities for students to pursue fulfilling career paths that make a difference in people’s lives.
Majoring in health science is also a good option for students interested in healthcare but are unsure of the exact path they wish to take after completing their bachelor’s degree. A health science degree can guide your career exploration and even offer the opportunity for first-hand healthcare experience through an internship. After majoring in health science, students pursue graduate education to prepare for a specific clinical role or jump right into an entry-level position in healthcare.
By majoring in health science, you experience innovative coursework in the natural sciences and social sciences alongside courses providing foundational knowledge on healthcare systems. Compared to other common pre-health majors, studying health science offers the comprehensive mix of prerequisite courses you need to pursue further training in the healthcare field as well as pursue an entry-level role, jumping into their careers connected to health science.
In addition, health science programs provide connections to internships, extracurriculars, and potential opportunities to conduct research projects, incorporating career exploration and student leadership directly into your undergraduate experience. Majoring in health science can also provide unique access to simulation laboratories and shadowing clinical settings that add value to your health science coursework and expand your mindset as a future healthcare professional.
A health science major offers career-ready coursework to join the healthcare field. The diverse health science career cluster encompasses a variety of medical and allied health jobs that include physician assistant, nurse, public health educator, dietician/nutritionist, occupational therapists, and physical therapists. To pursue one of these clinical careers, most students will continue their education and training after their bachelor’s degree.
In addition, majoring in health science can lead to many fulfilling non-clinical roles like researcher, public health educator, or health policy advocate. The interdisciplinary combination of courses builds students’ background knowledge of the healthcare system, which is crucial in these healthcare administration careers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare occupations are predicted to grow 15% from 2019 through 2029, adding over 2 million jobs. In fact, healthcare is projected to be the top industry adding jobs to the economy. A Bachelor of Science in Health Science paired with this monumental growth in the healthcare sector opens the door for a variety of careers.
At Pace University, the Health Science major can be customized to your career aspirations in healthcare. As you pursue the Bachelor of Science in Health Science, you select a track as a Generalist, Pre-Physician Assistant, or Pre-Nursing.
Within those tracks, you are able to select a concentration in Global Health or Health Policy and Advocacy in the Pre-Physician Assistant preparation track. Students in the Generalist and Pre-Nursing tracks are able to select both concentrations if they so choose.
At Pace, pursuing a health science major connects you to exciting opportunities on campus and throughout the New York metropolitan area. All Health Science students complete an internship experience in their senior year that links them to their future career interests.
At Pace’s Pleasantville campus, students majoring in Health Science enjoy the benefits of the health science hub including a simulation lab. These newly renovated spaces offer students state-of-the-art career preparation.
At Pace University, a Bachelor of Science in Health Science prepares you to enter the innovative and growing field of healthcare in an administrative role and to pursue more graduate education for clinical roles. Majoring in Health Science offers students a practical curriculum that also stimulates critical thinking and inspires evidence-based practice for years to come.
Request information today to learn more about Pace’s Health Science major!
Learn more about what you can do with a Computer Science major to connect to in-demand careers!
With a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, you can enter many different fields in a wide variety of industries. Majoring in Computer Science can lead you to a range of career paths depending on your interests, the coursework you take, and your internship experience. Know that you can do so many things with a Computer Science degree! It is a very adaptable degree that is in high demand.
Majoring in Computer Science unlocks your future opportunities by building your foundational knowledge in computer science and creating career-building projects that demonstrate your practical abilities. Typically, a Computer Science major covers the mathematical foundations of algorithms, incorporates calculus and programming languages, and explores larger questions about data science and cybersecurity. From hardware to computer networks, a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science introduces you to the concepts and skills that will support technology and computer science careers for years to come.
Computer Science graduates pursue careers across many industries, which is one of the key benefits of a computer science major. Graduates who can demonstrate their mastery of coding languages and theoretical knowledge through a portfolio, a variety of coursework, and relevant work experiences will be well-prepared for their future careers in computer science.
Many students imagine that majoring in Computer Science only leads to programming careers. In fact, the adaptability of a Computer Science major can lead you into the fields of business, healthcare, government, security, finance, tech, and many others. As the digital economy innovates and grows, there will always be a need for workers with computing expertise, especially in the ever changing areas of cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data science.
What can you do with a Computer Science degree? Join any industry that needs someone to innovate through computing and algorithms!
Beyond the technology sector, the demand for career-ready computer science training is strong in many different fields like healthcare, the military, finance, and business. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer and information technology occupations are projected to grow 11% from 2019 to 2029. This rapid growth will likely add over 530,000 new jobs across the United States. With the continued demand for computing knowledge and expertise, majoring in Computer Science is an excellent investment in your future.
Whether you are writing code, analyzing data, or creating websites, your Computer Science degree serves you well in a variety of jobs. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, common job roles for Computer Science majors include:
At Pace University, both undergraduate Computer Science programs are STEM-designated, signifying their academic rigor and allowing international students to pursue Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.
The Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science features more streamlined major requirements to facilitate students having a relevant minor or concentration. Popular choices for a minor include Information Technology, Information Assurance for the Criminal Justice System (cybersecurity), Digital Design, Economics, and Business. By combining their study of computer science with another subject area, students can further explore their career interests.
In comparison, majoring in Computer Science to earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree offers an intense exploration of the field with advanced courses related to software and databases. The Bachelor of Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc highlighting our commitment to high-quality education leading to in-demand computer science careers.
Pace students can pursue a career-focused Computer Science major on both the New York City or Westchester, NY campuses. The NYC campus provides streamlined access to professional opportunities.
At the Westchester campus in Pleasantville, NY, you can enjoy campus life on a newly renovated suburban campus and are connected to the Metro North rail system that takes students to Manhattan in 45 minutes. In addition, Westchester, New York has many opportunities of its own, with an emerging start-up scene and multiple headquarters for Fortune 500 companies.
At Pace University, our Computer Science Bachelor’s degrees prepares you to do so many technology-related jobs in software development, information security, and computing. Whether you join us in Westchester or NYC, our program provides a career-ready undergraduate education that translates your goals into a successful computer science career. For students looking to continue their education, Pace offers a range of in-person or online master degree programs, including an online Master of Science in Computer Science degree.
To learn more about Pace University, request information today!
It was Pace University law professor Bennett Gershman who said, “It’s a cover-up of a cover-up,” adding ““They don’t want the truth to come out, because if the truth comes out, it’s very embarrassing. And maybe even worse, it’s criminal.”
While raw or undercooked meat can pose health hazards, so can overcooked or charred meats. “Cooking meats above 150°C, which usually results from grilling or pan frying, can form compounds called HCAs (heterocyclic amines) and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), that may be harmful to human DNA,” warns dietitian and assistant professor of the Nutrition and Dietetics Program at the College of Health Professions at Pace University, Christen Cupples Cooper. “Some research suggests that when metabolised, these compounds may activate enzymes linked to cancer risk.” While the research is limited, Cooper believes there’s enough evidence to recommend reducing your exposure to these chemical compounds. “Avoid cooking foods for any length of time over an open flame or hot metal surface, turn meat frequently during cooking, and cut away charred portions of meat,” she says.
In celebration of Black History Month, we asked Dyson professors, whose specialties or areas of interest include Black or African American history, art, or culture, to share their thoughts on poignant moments, figures, and initiatives.
In celebration of Black History Month, we asked Dyson professors, whose specialties or areas of interest include Black or African American history, art, or culture, to share their thoughts on poignant moments, figures, and initiatives.
Assistant Professor of Public Administration
What improvements would you like to see in public policy as we continue to battle COVID-19?
COVID-19 has shed a light on existing health and social inequities among people of color, veterans, low-income earners, people with disabilities, and adults older than 65. We can achieve health equity through public policy by focusing on the social determinants of health. More specifically, we can move toward a more equitable society by allocating resources to established programs to train low-wage earners in high demand careers, expanding Medicaid in states that have not adopted Medicaid expansion, addressing barriers to health care services related to cost, access, and quality of care, investing in mental health services through benefits and infrastructure, creating opportunities for affordable housing and home ownership, and eliminating systemic racism and discrimination.
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Co-founder of the Black Excellence Initiative
Why is it important to celebrate Black excellence?
There are many reasons to celebrate Black excellence. From a practical perspective, such recognition benefits us, as a society. This country has long ignored the brilliance, inventiveness, and significant contributions of Black individuals, thereby minimizing their potential for positive impact. By making a concerted effort to course correct this blind spot, we are better positioned to learn from and advance the progress begun by these individuals. From a normative perspective, the honoring of Black excellence is a positive way to counter problems that result from implicit bias and racism. This does not negate the need for policy responses to problems such as police brutality, housing discrimination, and disparities in healthcare and education. Instead, it acknowledges that the root cause of these issues can be attributed to the systemic denial of Black humanity. The celebration of Black Excellence challenges that narrative and creates space for a joyful recognition of Black accomplishment.
Assistant Dean of Diversity and Equity in the Arts
Tell us about an artist who inspired your activism.
“Good, better, best, never let them rest, until your good is better, and your better is your best!”
It is on the shoulders of my ancestors, who are a part of history both Black and American, I stand in my new role as Assistant Dean of Diversity and Equity in the Arts here at Dyson. First, I want to acknowledge, my great-great-great-great grandmother, Mrs. Jane Morris Chester, who was a slave and ran to her freedom at the age of 30 years old. In turn, she became an abolitionist, contributed to the Underground Railroad, was a well-respected restaurant owner in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and became known to the world not only for her world-famous taffy, but for her son, my great-great-great uncle, T. Morris Chester, a soldier in the civil war, who went on to be the first African-American in history to write as a correspondent for a major American newspaper, The Philadelphia Press. And, my great aunt, Leona K. Baylor, also a direct descendant of Jane Chester, was a respected educator in the City of Philadelphia. She and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. talked about civil rights on his only visit to Philadelphia as seen in the photo below.
I write and activate my art through activism because it is in my blood! American history is Black history!
Associate Professor of History
What do you think has been the most defining moment in US history for Black Americans?
The defining moment was when the decision was made, during colonial times, to adopt African slavery as a labor force for producing agricultural goods, such as tobacco and later cotton. Despite emancipation and the later civil rights laws, we have been grappling with the legacy of this colonial decision ever since, because it supported two notions: the racist notion that people of African descent were somehow less deserving of basic human rights, and the notion that economic profit was more important than human lives. The struggle against those notions has shaped the Black American experience up to this day.
Assistant Professor of Communication Studies
Who in media and/or communications has been or is your inspiration?
Dr. Joan Morgan is my greatest inspiration as a Hip Hop feminist and communication culturist. She is an award-winning author and the “Mother of Hip Hop Feminism,” whose groundbreaking text, When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost: A Hip Hop Feminist Breaks It Down, birthed a generation of Hip Hop feminist scholars in and outside of the academy. Coined by Dr. Morgan, Hip Hop feminism is concerned with cultural and feminist inquiries that examine issues rooted in the aesthetics and politics of Hip Hop culture. As a result of Dr. Morgan’s scholarship, I gained a greater understanding of the complexities of the lived experience of Black women, and the gendered and racialized oppression they face as they try to survive and thrive in Hip Hop’s intersectional, yet misogynistic space. Furthermore, When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost prompted my creation of the COS 296B: Hip Hop Feminism and the Media course in the Department of Communication Studies.