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We are deeply saddened to share that Jordan Robinson, a sophomore on our Pleasantville Campus, passed away on February 13, 2022. Jordan was a proud brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and involved with many student organizations, including the Black Student Union and Students of Caribbean Awareness. He was a former member of our Setters football team. He was a beloved son and brother. He was an aspiring entrepreneur who owned his own design business. And he was a supportive friend and classmate and a valued member of our Pace family.⁠

Many in our community have asked how we lost Jordan. The Mount Pleasant Police Department, who are in charge of investigating such matters, and who responded to our campus along with EMS, has advised that they are classifying what happened as a medical emergency, awaiting the medical examiner’s determination.

Jordan’s death is devastating and he will be deeply missed. Please join us in extending all our most heartfelt sympathies and condolences to Jordan’s family and friends during this extraordinarily difficult time.

Pace Community Vigil

Join the Pleasantville Student Government Association and the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., for a vigil honoring the life and legacy of Jordan Robinson. This is a space for sharing memories of Jordan and the impact he had on the Pace Community. Join us in-person or virtually.

Wednesday, February 16, at 7:30 p.m.
Gottesman Room, Kessel Student Center
Pleasantville Campus

Processing Loss

The Counseling Center invites the Pace Community process this loss and discuss how grieving and coping affects the classroom on campus experiences. Additionally, this is an opportunity to grieve our own loss together. There will be a virtual and in-person option for attendees.

For Students:

Monday, February 14, at 7:00 p.m.
Butcher Suite, Kessel Student Center
Pleasantville Campus
Zoom Meeting ID: 947 6983 9418
Zoom Password: 015470

Wednesday, February 16, at 12:00 p.m.
Butcher Suite, Kessel Student Center
Pleasantville Campus
Zoom Meeting ID: 967 7899 6256
Zoom Password: 390913

For Faculty and Staff:

Friday, February 18, at 1:00 p.m.
Butcher Suite, Kessel Student Center
Pleasantville Campus
Zoom Meeting ID: 937 5740 0281
Zoom Password: 597958

Funeral Service Information

Pace University students, faculty, staff, and alumni are invited to attend services for Jordan.

Viewing and Omega Service

Monday, February 21
6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

New Hope Baptist Church
12 Dr Aaron B. Samuels Blvd.
Danbury, CT 06810

Viewing and Funeral

Tuesday, February 22
Viewing: 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Funeral: 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

New Hope Baptist Church
12 Dr Aaron B. Samuels Blvd.
Danbury, CT 06810

You can find the full letter to the community here. In the meantime, should you need support or just someone to talk to, the Pace University Counseling Center is available, as is the Dean for Students Office.

Alumnus Eric Paulk is making strides in the fight for equality in his own home state of Georgia and making headlines, too, as one of the state’s Top 40 Leaders Under 40. In 2020, Eric was awarded a prestigious Soros Justice Fellowship, with the goal of building a nationwide network of Black HIV movement lawyers to protect, defend, and support people living with HIV. A true agent of change, Eric points to his law school experience at Pace for playing a critical role in his journey towards equality and advancing change.

Eric Paulk graduated from Morehouse College in 2003. From there, though he was pretty sure he ultimately wanted to attend law school, he spent time in the private sector to gain experience in the business world and build upon his undergraduate training. “I knew that law school was a big commitment in every sense of the word. I wanted to make sure that I was ready to commit so I spent some time working in a variety of positions. Then in my last role before I went to law school, I was Managing Director of a performing arts center and in that position I oversaw every aspect of the center – which included contract negotiations and the legal department. It reignited my desire to attend law school.”

Eric started at Pace in 2013. “I really immersed myself in law school. I joined student groups. I participated in clinics. I spoke with professors outside of class. I took advantage of a wonderful learning experience.” While at Pace, Eric was involved in the Black Law Students Association, LAMBDA Law Student Association, and participated with moot court. “One of the most practical learning experiences that I had was as a civil rights extern working through the law firm Newman Ferrara with Professors Cohen and McLaughlin. This provided me with experience in research, writing, discovery, trial preparation, and client contact. I also learned how to prepare legal documents and petitions. It was an invaluable experience.”

“One of the most practical learning experiences that I had was as a civil rights extern working through the law firm Newman Ferrara with Professors Cohen and McLaughlin. This provided me with experience in research, writing, discovery, trial preparation, and client contact. I also learned how to prepare legal documents and petitions. It was an invaluable experience.”

After graduating from law school, Eric was the Tyron Garner Fellow at Lambda Legal in Atlanta. “In the fellowship role, I worked on policy issues, I worked to move along local and regional legislative efforts, I was an advocate, I spoke at forums, panels, meetings, and events, and I also did legal research. I became an expert on LGBTQ issues and HIV criminal justice reform which allowed me the opportunity to engage in real grassroots efforts for equality. Additionally, this role allowed me to really be a leader both regionally and nationally around HIV-related legal issues. It was an amazing experience.” From there, Eric moved on to the Equality Foundation of Georgia as an HIV Policy Organizer and then was promoted in April 2019 to Deputy Executive Director of the Organization. “In the role as Deputy Executive Director, I oversee all day-to-day operations and develop and manage our advocacy activities. I also work with the executive director and the board to develop and implement the organization’s strategic plan. I help to drive up support and also build relationships in the community.”

In recent years, Eric was selected as one of Georgia's Top 40 Leaders Under 40. In the article about Eric’s selection it was noted that Eric has dedicated his career to fighting for equality for all Georgians. Eric himself notes that “It is an important time in our state and our country to protect LGBTQ people, immigrants, and people of color. I am part of a movement creating equality for these communities. My law school experience and Pace in particular has played such a critical role in my leadership development and also in helping to carve out the work that I'm doing. I am definitely a proud alumnus.”

In late 2020, Eric was awarded a prestigious 2020 Soros Justice Fellowship. His goal through the Fellowship was to build a nationwide network of Black HIV movement lawyers to protect, defend, and support people living with HIV. As a part of this work, Eric is co-authoring a first-of-its-kind report with the Williams Institute, a think tank at UCLA Law dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy, on the impact of HIV criminal laws on Black communities. When Eric was awarded the Fellowship, he noted that “[m]ost of us go to law school with the desire to be agents of change. However, over time, that goal gets diminished. This fellowship lets me fulfill the promise for which I decided to attend law school - to use my legal training to empower, protect and defend marginalized Black communities. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve others, and excited to stand with my fellowship cohort and previous cohorts to advance change.”

Ready to kick-start your career? Get registered on Handshake to sign up for one of the upcoming career fairs hosted by Career Services this spring.

This series of virtual career fairs is geared towards your specific interests and areas of study. You’ll get the opportunity to network, explore internship and full-time job possibilities, and debut your pitch.

And don’t forget—Career Services is also hosting a ton of career prep workshops aimed at helping you prep for these career fairs. Learn everything from how to research potential employers to developing a 30-second pitch, and creating a resume that will impress.

Guest Experience Career Fair
Wednesday, February 23 | 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Service and hospitality careers are thriving. At this event, you will meet employers with opportunities perfect for undergraduate and graduate-level students from Hospitality Tourism Management, Arts and Entertainment Management, and other business and liberal arts majors.

International Student Career Fair
Wednesday, March 9 | 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.

Are you an international student hoping to work in the US? Here's your chance to connect with employers from a variety of industries that are interested in meeting Pace University international students for consideration for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and/or Optional Practical Training (OPT) opportunities.

Job and Internship Fair
Thursday, March 30 | 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Take advantage of this opportunity to gain access to a diverse selection of employers who have open internships and entry level jobs for all level of students and all majors. Watch videos that introduce you to companies and their brand, and engage one-on-one and in group sessions with employers in a virtual environment.

Environmental/Sustainability Career Fair
Wednesday, April 6 | 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.

Careers dedicated to improving sustainability and understanding environmental impact are on the rise. Learn more about how you can join the fight against climate change and build a brighter tomorrow in a sustainability-focused career.

Nursing Career Fair
Wednesday, April 20 | 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.

New York is anticipating a significant nursing shortage by 2030, so it’s more important than ever for future nurses to learn everything they need about transitioning into the workforce. Attend this event to learn more about your options and meet future employers.

Career Fair for Recent Graduates
Wednesday, June 15 | 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Are you a recent graduate still looking for a great job? Check out an assortment of exciting opportunities at this career fair for recent grads—all majors welcome!

Ready to get ahead? Get going to the Career Services website.

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On Tuesday, February 8, 2022, with over 300 people registered, Roger Martella virtually delivered the 22nd annual Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Lecture on Environmental Law. Mr. Martella is the Chief Sustainability Officer for GE, an American multinational conglomerate among the largest industrial companies in the U.S. The topic of his lecture was “This Decade of Action: How Corporate Social Responsibility Will Define the 2020s as the Most Historic Period of Environmental Progress.”

Prior to the commencement of the lecture, Jason Czarnezki, Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law and Associate Dean of Environmental Law Programs and Strategic Initiatives and Dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, Horace E. Anderson Jr., spoke of the importance of the Kerlin lecture. Dean Anderson noted, “Haub Law established the Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Lecture on Environmental Law to expand its programs of research, education, professional and scholarly activity and publications in environmental law, a field for which the law school has received national and international recognition.” Professor Katrina Kuh introduced Roger Martella, highlighting his impressive career and commitment to sustainability in the law.

Throughout the lecture, Mr. Martella shared the notion of corporate social responsibility and all it encompasses, noting that it does not just mean companies, but includes partnerships with stakeholders, including employees, investors, customers, communities, NGOs, and governments. He spoke of the importance of understanding that these other stakeholders are key partners to corporate social responsibility and environmental progress. “It all comes back to equity. Everyone needs to have the ability to prosper. We need to listen to our stakeholders to be able to address their concerns.”

In his lecture, Mr. Martella spoke of the increasing transparency that companies strive to have and also the role that lawyers can play in corporate social responsibility. “Lawyers are part of the solution. Sustainability touches everything we do and we need good lawyers for their help and guidance for all companies.”

After the lecture, audience members had an opportunity to comment and ask questions. The impactful and provocative discussion continued, touching on topics such as the communication between environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals and working with governments. In this context, Mr. Martella noted that we must continue to “act with urgency, but speak with credibility.”

Of the lecture, Professor Kuh said, “We are honored to have had Roger Martella give this year’s Kerlin Lecture and on such an important topic. Roger presented an analytical framework and provided context for understanding the development and contributions of CSR. He predicts that we are entering a Global Sustainability Era during which corporate social responsibility will be a key driver of environmental action grounded in equity. With the recent launch of our Sustainable Business Law Hub, Haub Law is training the lawyers of the future who will ensure that CSR continues to help move us towards a better global environmental future. We thank Mr. Martella for providing us with a deeper understanding of CSR and how it relates to environmental progress.”

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law established the Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Lecture on Environmental Law to expand its programs of research, education, professional and scholarly activity and publications in environmental law, a field for which the law school has received national and international recognition. The Kerlin endowment funds a named professorship on Environmental Law at Haub Law. Professor Nicholas A. Robinson, founder of the Haub School's environmental programs, was named the first Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Distinguished Professor in 1999 and Professor Jason J. Czarnezki was designated as the second Kerlin Distinguished Professor in 2013. The last Kerlin lecture was given by Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Watch the 2022 Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Lecture on Environmental Law below.