CHP Professor Christen Cooper tells Prevention that moderation is key when it comes to indulgent foods, emphasizing that occasional treats can fit within a healthy diet and suggesting alternatives like baking or air frying.
Dyson Political Science Professor Laura Tamman joins Spectrum News NY1’s Inside City Hall to discuss Mayor Mamdani’s first 100 days in office, offering analysis on leadership, governance, and political expectations as reflected in new polling data.
Haub Law Professor Alexander Greenawalt provides legal analysis to PolitiFact on the potential targeting of civilian infrastructure, explaining that determining a war crime hinges on demonstrating a clear military objective rather than intent to harm civilians.
In MedShadow Foundation, CHP Associate Dean and Professor Beau Anderson discusses the evolving role of acupuncture in pain management, noting that what was once considered a fringe treatment is now supported by a growing body of rigorous research and increasingly recognized as a legitimate medical intervention.
The Land Use Law Center at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University was recognized as Westchester County municipal leaders formally signed a new intermunicipal agreement reestablishing the Long Island Sound Watershed Intermunicipal Council (LISWIC), a coalition of 14 municipalities committed to advancing watershed protection, flood mitigation, and regional resilience. The signing, held at Playland Beach in Rye, NY overlooking the Long Island Sound and attended by Governments officials including Congressman George Latimer, marks the official revival of LISWIC and a renewed commitment to regional collaboration across the watershed. It reflects more than 30 years of sustained leadership by the Land Use Law Center in training, convening, and supporting municipal leaders across the region.
Pace University is rising in the national spotlight, with multiple graduate programs ranked among the Top 100 in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings, including the #1 Environmental Law program in the country. See which programs are leading and climbing.
Pace University continues to gain national recognition in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings, with strong placements across law, nursing, business, and technology, underscoring the University’s commitment to preparing students for meaningful, in-demand careers.
Across a wide range of categories, Pace earned multiple Top 50 rankings and placed three programs among the top 20 percent nationally. At the same time, the University demonstrated meaningful year-over-year improvement in key academic areas, signaling continued momentum in disciplines aligned with workforce needs and global opportunity.
In the 2026 rankings, Pace earned multiple Top 50 placements, including a #1 national ranking in Environmental Law, and placed three programs among the top 20 percent nationwide.
Pace University’s presence across the 2026 rankings highlights its growing national competitiveness. Pace’s programs were recognized across multiple U.S. News & World Report lists, including Best Graduate Schools and Best Online Programs.
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law remains a standout. Pace continues to hold the #1 ranking in Environmental Law, reinforcing its longstanding leadership in sustainability and environmental advocacy. Haub Law also earned Top 50 placements in areas such as Trial Advocacy and Dispute Resolution, demonstrating strength across key areas of legal practice.
Beyond its top placements, Pace is gaining ground in several legal specialties. Constitutional Law saw a significant rise, climbing from #153 to #120—one of the most notable jumps in this year’s rankings. Additional improvements were seen in International Law (#67 to #56), Criminal Law (#118 to #109), and Tax Law (#82 to #75), along with smaller gains in Intellectual Property and Health Care Law.
These increases point to expanding strength across a broader range of legal disciplines, particularly those connected to policy, regulation, and global systems, building on Pace’s established leadership in Environmental Law.
Pace’s College of Health Professions also remains highly competitive. Its online master’s in nursing program is ranked #30 nationally out of more than 200 programs, placing it among the top in the country. The program also earned recognition for its support of veterans, reflecting Pace’s commitment to accessibility, flexibility, and serving diverse student populations. This recognition aligns with growing workforce demand in healthcare.
Pace continues to perform strongly in online graduate education, with nationally ranked programs in education, information technology, and criminal justice.
The Lubin School of Business also expanded its presence in the rankings, with several specialty programs newly recognized by U.S. News & World Report, including accounting, business analytics, finance, management, and marketing. While newly ranked, these programs represent growing national visibility in high-demand business fields.
In the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, the doctoral program in computer science improved in the rankings, reflecting continued investment in advanced technology education and research.
Taken together, the 2026 rankings reflect a clear trajectory: Pace is strengthening its position in programs that combine academic rigor with real-world application.
From law and nursing to business and technology, the University’s highest-performing and several fast-rising programs are those most closely aligned with evolving workforce needs. These results highlight not only areas of excellence, but also sustained progress across multiple disciplines.
For the Pace Community, this year’s rankings are both a point of pride and a signal of continued momentum, evidence of a university that is growing, adapting, and delivering outcomes that matter.
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University has once again been ranked #1 in the nation for Environmental Law by U.S. News & World Report, marking the seventh time—and the sixth consecutive year—the program has earned the top distinction and further solidifying its position as a global leader in environmental legal education.
For 120 years, Pace University graduates have shaped industries, influenced public life, and pushed innovation forward. From a U.S. Secretary of the Navy to Olympic medalists, global health leaders, and cultural trailblazers, explore the alumni whose impact tells the story of Pace—past, present, and future.
What began as quiet farmland in Pleasantville has grown into a vibrant hub of learning, partnership, and possibility. As Pace celebrates 120 years, the institution’s presence in Westchester tells a remarkable story—of community impact, student opportunity, and the power of place. Discover how Pace’s roots in Westchester continue to shape its future.
Lester Holt, award-winning journalist and anchor of Dateline NBC, will deliver the keynote address at Pace University’s 2026 Commencement and will receive an honorary doctorate, the University announced.
–– Lester Holt, award-winning journalist and anchor of Dateline NBC, will deliver the keynote address at Pace University’s 2026 Commencement and will receive an honorary doctorate, the University announced.
Joining Holt as honorary degree recipients and Commencement speakers are Hon. Francesca E. Connolly '82, associate justice of the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, Second Judicial Department; Dr. Mitchell Katz, president and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals; Judith M. Watson '94, RN, BSN, MPH, CEO of Westchester Community Health Center; Emmy Award-winning journalist Pedro Rivera '12; and Peter Muller, founder and CEO of PDT Partners.
All speakers will receive honorary degrees, including Doctors of Humane Letters, honoris causa, while Hon. Francesca E. Connolly will receive a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
The University will celebrate its 2026 Commencement on May 20–21 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. The two-day celebration will include Undergraduate Day on Wednesday, May 20, and Graduate Day on Thursday, May 21, with a main ceremony followed by individual school and college ceremonies where graduates will cross the stage.
“This year’s Commencement speakers are leaders and changemakers across industries,” said Pace University President Marvin Krislov. “We are proud to celebrate the Class of 2026 with leaders who reflect the spirit of Opportunitas and inspire our graduates to lead with purpose and make a meaningful impact in the world.”
At Commencement each year, Pace also honors community members who exemplify the University’s motto of Opportunitas. This year’s Opportunitas in Action Award recipient is Cedric Bobo, founder of Project Destined, a nonprofit organization focused on financial literacy, leadership development, and expanding career opportunities for underserved youth.
Bobo is the Founder of Project Destined, a leading social impact platform that provides training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and real estate. Project Destined partners with corporations, schools, and non-profits to deliver training through its proprietary e-learning platform and live courses. To date, the organization has trained more than 30,000 students, including high school students, college students, and military veterans. Scholars emerge with the skills, confidence, experiences, and network needed to secure competitive entry-level careers and become stakeholders in their communities.
Under his leadership, Project Destined has partnered with more than 250 leading companies and institutions and has received national recognition for its impact, including being named to Commercial Observer’s Power 100 list.
Bobo earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee and his MBA from Harvard Business School. He previously spent more than 20 years as an investor and investment banker, including over a decade at The Carlyle Group.
Holt will deliver the keynote address at the 1:00 p.m. Undergraduate Main Ceremony on Wednesday, May 20. Holt is an award-winning journalist at NBC News and anchor of “Dateline NBC.” Previously, he was the anchor and managing editor of “NBC Nightly News” for a decade, leading NBC News’ coverage of major breaking news and political events, including presidential elections and debates. Holt has served as principal anchor of “Dateline” since September 2011 and joined NBC News in 2000.
One of Holt’s trademarks is his on-the-ground reporting and his deep commitment to providing viewers with first-person accounts when disaster and tragedy strikes. He has reported from around the world, including Israel, Ukraine, Iran, and across Europe following major international crises.
Throughout his tenure, Holt has conducted numerous headline-making interviews with world leaders and moderated the first presidential debate of 2016, the most-watched in American history. He has also led network coverage of major events, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Holt has been recognized with numerous honors, including multiple Emmy Awards, the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism.
Justice Connolly '82 will address graduates of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 21. Justice Connolly serves as an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, Second Judicial Department—the busiest intermediate appellate court in the nation. She was appointed in 2016 and named to the Constitutional Bench in 2022, where she serves as a Justice Presiding. She is the first graduate of Pace Law School to be appointed to the Appellate Division.
In 2024, she served by designation as an Associate Judge of the New York Court of Appeals. Justice Connolly was first appointed to the New York State Supreme Court in 2009 and has served in multiple judicial leadership roles, including Supervising Judge of the Matrimonial Part.
She began her judicial career as the first woman elected Ossining Town Justice and has held several public service roles, including serving on the Ossining Town Council. Before joining the bench, she practiced complex civil litigation for 27 years.
Justice Connolly earned her B.A., magna cum laude, from the State University of New York at Albany in 1979 and her J.D. from Pace University School of Law in 1982.
Dr. Mitchell Katz will speak at the Lubin School of Business, College of Health Professions, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems Undergraduate Ceremony at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20. Dr. Katz is the president and chief executive officer of NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest municipal health care system in the United States, with 11 acute care hospitals, five skilled nursing facilities, and dozens of community health centers.
Since his appointment in 2018, Dr. Katz has significantly expanded access to care, including the creation of NYC Care, a universal health access program serving more than 100,000 uninsured New Yorkers. He has overseen major system improvements, including the implementation of a modern electronic health record system, expansion of the nursing workforce, and new outreach programs to improve care for homeless New Yorkers.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Katz directed the public health system’s response at the height of the crisis, including tripling ICU capacity across 11 hospitals and leading the city’s Test and Trace operation while administering more than 1.3 million vaccines.
Previously, Dr. Katz led major public health systems in Los Angeles County and San Francisco, where he developed innovative care models and expanded access for underserved populations. He is a graduate of Yale College and Harvard Medical School and continues to practice as a primary care physician in New York City.
Rivera '12 will speak at the ceremony for Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Sands College of Performing Arts (undergraduate and graduate), and School of Education at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20. Rivera is an Emmy and LA Press Club Award-winning journalist who co-anchors Eyewitness News This Morning and Eyewitness News Mornings at 10 on WABC in New York City.
Prior to returning to New York, Rivera anchored KTLA 5 News in Los Angeles, where he reported on major national stories including the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and the Camp Fire in Northern California. He previously worked as a reporter and anchor in Sacramento, Arkansas, and Connecticut, covering stories such as the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy and the Boston Marathon bombing.
A proud New York City native, Rivera earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Pace University. He remains actively engaged with his alma mater, serving on the advisory board for Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and as co-chair of the Afro-Latino Task Force for the National Association for Hispanic Journalists.
Peter Muller will speak at the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems and Lubin School of Business Graduate Ceremony at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20. Muller is the founder and CEO of PDT Partners, a global investment manager devoted to quantitative research and trading.
Muller’s life and work span the disciplines of finance, music, and mathematics. He is an accomplished musician, having released seven albums of original music, and a cruciverbalist, publishing crosswords in major publications. His philanthropic interests include music, education, and the environment, and he serves as founder and board president of the Live Music Society.
He received a B.A. in Mathematics with honors from Princeton University.
Watson'94 will address graduates of Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, and the College of Health Professions. She is the chief executive officer of Westchester Community Health Center, where she leads a network of nine sites providing high-quality, accessible care to underserved communities across Westchester County.
Watson began her career at the organization in 1994 and has dedicated more than three decades to advancing community health, serving in multiple leadership roles before being named CEO. A Pace University alumna, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and later received a Master of Public Health from New York Medical College.
She immigrated to the United States from Jamaica and served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves, achieving the rank of Sergeant. Watson is deeply active in the community, serving on numerous nonprofit boards, and was recently awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of her contributions to public health and community well-being.
Founded in 1906 and celebrating 120 years of preparing students for success in 2026, Pace University pairs real-life learning with strong academics to launch meaningful careers. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, Pace serves 13,600 students across a range of bachelor, master, and doctoral programs through the College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, Sands College of Performing Arts, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.
For Reese H. Frisch ’26, the path to law school was shaped by a deep-rooted commitment to justice and a desire to serve her community—values that have guided her academic and professional journey from the very beginning.
For Reese H. Frisch ’26, the path to law school was shaped by a deep-rooted commitment to justice and a desire to serve her community—values that have guided her academic and professional journey from the very beginning.
A first-generation law student, Reese is the first in her immediate family to pursue a law degree. After earning her undergraduate degree in forensic psychology, she initially planned to continue her studies in that field. But through internships with the Rockland and Orange County District Attorney’s Offices, as well as the Federal Public Defender’s Office in New Haven, she gained a broader understanding of the legal system, one that ultimately solidified her decision to pursue a legal career.
“I was eager to apply myself in a deeper way and pursue a path that aligned more closely with my strengths,” Reese said. Her work in both prosecution and defense also provided her with a balanced perspective on the justice system, an experience that continues to inform her approach to the law.
At Pace Haub Law, Reese found a community that supports both her academic ambitions and her commitment to public service. Drawn to the Law School’s strong focus on public interest law and its emphasis on experiential learning, she has taken full advantage of opportunities to engage with the legal system in meaningful ways.
Her coursework—including Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, and Federal Criminal Pretrial Simulation—has reinforced her interest in litigation, while her hands-on experiences have been especially impactful. Through the Legal Hand Guided Externship Program, a judicial internship with the Westchester County Supreme Court, and externships with the Westchester County District Attorney's Office and the Rockland County District Attorney's Office through the Honors Externship Program, Reese has developed practical skills in advocacy and deepened her understanding of the role attorneys play in serving their communities. "The most rewarding aspect of law school has been engaging in work that directly impacts others," she said.
The most rewarding aspect of law school has been engaging in work that directly impacts others.
—Reese Frisch ‘26
Outside the classroom, Reese has remained actively involved in student life, serving as a representative for the Jewish Law Students Society and the Student Bar Association, an executive board member of the Criminal Justice Society, and a member of the Honor Board. Her leadership across these organizations reflects a broader commitment to service, collaboration, and community engagement.
Reese’s dedication to public service has also been recognized through the Adele Janow and Judge Sandra Forster Memorial Scholarship, an award established by the Law School’s Alumni Board to honor two esteemed alumnae whose contributions to the Law School and the Westchester community left a lasting legacy. The scholarship supports students who embody the same values of service, perseverance, and leadership that defined their careers.
“Attending law school has been the toughest challenge I've ever faced, and it hasn’t been easy,” Reese shared. “My commitment to justice drives everything I do. I am deeply grateful for the support of this scholarship, which made it possible for me to continue pursuing my goals.” For Reese, the scholarship represents an opportunity to carry forward the legacy of those who came before her while continuing to build a career rooted in service.
Looking ahead, Reese will join the Queens District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney following graduation. “I am looking forward to putting into practice the values that first led me to the law and am grateful for the solid foundation Pace Haub Law provided me.”
This year’s Commencement brings together leaders shaping the world across journalism, healthcare, law, and business. Meet the 2026 Honorary Degree Recipients and speakers who will inspire the Class of 2026 as they step into what’s next.
Commencement 2026 brings together a group of voices shaping the world in real time. We’re proud to announce our 2026 Honorary Degree Recipients and speakers—leaders in journalism, healthcare, law, and business whose work informs, protects, and moves communities forward.
From reporting on the front lines of global events to expanding access to care and advancing justice, these honorees reflect the kind of impact our graduates are poised to make.
Journalist and anchor, NBC News
Honorary Degree Recipient and Speaker at the Main Ceremony
Lester Holt is an award-winning journalist and anchor at NBC News, best known for his decade as anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News and as principal anchor of Dateline NBC. He has covered wars, disasters, and political turning points from the ground—including the Israel–Gaza war, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the Arab Spring. His 2017 exclusive interview with President Trump remains one of the most consequential in recent broadcast history.
Holt has also led landmark work in criminal justice reform, including an Emmy-nominated series filmed inside Louisiana State Penitentiary and the first televised town hall from a maximum-security prison. He moderated the most-watched presidential debate in American history in 2016, anchored NBC’s COVID-19 primetime coverage, and launched Nightly News: Kids Edition, an award-winning digital newscast for children.
He began his career at WCBS-TV in New York in 1981 and joined NBC News in 2000. His honors include multiple Emmy Awards, the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award, the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, and induction into the National Association of Broadcasters.
President and Chief Executive Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals
Honorary Degree Recipient and Speaker at the Undergraduate Ceremony for the College of Health Professions, Lubin School of Business, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems
Dr. Mitchell Katz is president and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest municipal healthcare system in the United States. Since 2018, he has expanded access through NYC Care (serving more than 100,000 uninsured New Yorkers), eliminated the system’s deficit, and led its COVID-19 response, tripling ICU capacity and administering more than 1.3 million vaccines.
Previously, Katz directed the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Earlier, he spent 13 years as Director and Health Officer of the San Francisco Department of Health, launching Healthy San Francisco and securing funding to rebuild two major hospitals.
Dr. Katz holds degrees from Yale University and Harvard Medical School, is deputy editor of JAMA Internal Medicine, and is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences. He continues to see patients in Manhattan.
Journalist and co-anchor, WABC
Honorary Degree Recipient and Speaker at Undergraduate Ceremony for Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Sands College of Performing Arts, and School of Education
Pedro Rivera ’12 is an Emmy- and LA Press Club Award–winning journalist and co-anchor of Eyewitness News This Morning and Eyewitness News Mornings at 10 on WABC in New York City, where he is also involved in special coverage, including the NYC Marathon and NYC Pride.
A Bronx native, Rivera's career has taken him from Arkansas and Sacramento to Los Angeles and back to New York, covering major stories along the way.
Rivera earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Pace University and remains closely connected to his alma mater, serving on the advisory board for Dyson College of Arts and Sciences. He is also co-chair of the Afro-Latino Task Force for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
Associate Justice, New York State Supreme Court
Honorary Degree Recipient and Speaker at Elisabeth Haub School of Law Ceremony
The Honorable Francesca E. Connolly ’82 serves as an associate justice of the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, Second Judicial Department—the busiest intermediate appellate court in the nation. Appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2016 and named to the Constitutional Bench by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2022, she serves as a presiding justice and, in 2024, sat by designation on the New York Court of Appeals. She is the first Pace Law graduate appointed to the Appellate Division.
Her judicial career began in 2006 when she became the first woman elected Ossining Town justice. She was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2009. Her public service includes roles on the Ossining Town Council, as Deputy Town Supervisor, and time on the Town Planning Board, as well as 27 years of complex civil litigation if state and federal courts.
Justice Connolly is a frequent CLE lecturer, published opinion author, and member of the New York State Advisory Committee on Civil Practice. She earned her BA, magna cum laude, from SUNY Albany and her JD from Pace University School of Law.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, PDT Partners
Honorary Degree Recipient and Speaker at the Graduate Ceremony for the Lubin School of Business and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems
Peter Muller is the founder and CEO of PDT Partners, a leading quantitative investment firm established in 1992 and spun out of Morgan Stanley in 2012. His published research spans financial optimization, mortgage prepayments, and equity valuation models, and he serves on the board of Math for America.
Outside of finance, Muller is a pianist and singer-songwriter who has released seven albums of original music and performs regularly across the country with his band. He is also a cruciverbalist with crosswords published in major outlets, founder and board president of the Live Music Society, and an active philanthropist whose interests span music, education, and the environment. He holds a BA in mathematics with honors from Princeton University.
Chief Executive Officer, Westchester Community Health Center
Honorary Degree Recipient and Speaker at Graduate ceremony for the College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, and School of Education
Judith M. Watson ’94 is the chief executive officer of Westchester Community Health Center, a nine-site healthcare system serving underserved populations across Westchester County. An immigrant from Jamaica raised in White Plains, she enlisted in the US Army after high school, serving three years on active duty and seven in the Reserves, reaching the rank of sergeant E-5.
Watson earned her BS in nursing from Pace University and her Master of Public Health from New York Medical College. Beginning her healthcare career in 1994 at the Greenburgh Health Center, she has spent more than 31 years in the field, rising through leadership roles from site executive director to COO before assuming her current role as CEO.
Deeply rooted in the community, she serves on 14 nonprofit and community boards, including the board of Westchester Medical Center, and was recently awarded an honorary doctorate from Mercy University for her contributions to public health.
Check out the Commencement website for more information on key deadlines, program details, and more.
Kiara Medina '27 set out to study mentorship—but found it shaping her own path. Through close collaboration with faculty, she co-authored research on representation, built confidence as a scholar, and discovered her voice. Now, she’s stepping into the role she once searched for, helping create a more inclusive future for others.
At Pace, Psychology Professor Courtney Gosnell, PhD, explores how relationships shape our lives, from celebrating good news to navigating differences, while mentoring students through hands-on research.
A few minutes today could make all the difference tomorrow. PEER is a confidential, voluntary program designed to support members of our NYC Campus community who may need assistance during an emergency.
As the semester draws to a close and the Pace Community prepares for Commencement, President Krislov reflects on this meaningful moment of transition—celebrating the Class of 2026 and announcing the distinguished speakers who will help mark the occasion.
Commencement season at Pace has its own rhythm.
You start to notice it in the final stretch of the semester. There’s a shift. Big projects wrap up. Caps and gowns come out. Conversations turn to what’s next. Everything begins to feel a little more real.
It’s one of the most meaningful moments of the year—one that brings our entire Pace Community together.
It’s also a time to welcome voices who will help mark the occasion.
So here it is: what you’ve all been waiting to hear.
We are proud to announce the distinguished speakers who will join us for Commencement 2026, leaders whose careers reflect the ambition and drive we see in our graduates every day.
At our Main Ceremony, Lester Holt—award-winning journalist and anchor of Dateline NBC—will address the Class of 2026. One of the most respected voices in broadcast journalism, Holt has spent decades reporting from the front lines of the world’s biggest stories and helping audiences make sense of them. Known for his on-the-ground reporting and steady presence during major global events, he has helped audiences better understand the moments that shape our lives.
During Undergraduate Day, Mitchell Katz, MD, president and chief executive officer of NYC Health + Hospitals, will speak to graduates from the College of Health Professions, Lubin School of Business, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems. He leads the largest municipal healthcare system in the United States and has helped expand access to care for New Yorkers.
Pedro Rivera ’12, an Emmy Award–winning journalist and Pace alumnus, will return to his alma mater to address graduates from Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Sands College of Performing Arts, and the School of Education. His path from Pace student to New York City news anchor reflects persistence and a strong connection to the communities he serves.
On Graduate Day, we are especially proud to welcome accomplished leaders—including members of our alumni community—whose work spans law, healthcare, business, and public service.
Hon. Francesca E. Connolly ’82, associate justice of the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department of New York, will address graduates of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. A respected member of the judiciary and a Pace alumna, she has built her career in public service and the legal profession.
Judith M. Watson, RN, BSN, MPH, HD ’94, chief executive officer of Westchester Community Health Center, will speak to graduates from the College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Education. A Pace alumna, she has spent more than 30 years expanding access to care and now leads a network of nine health centers serving communities across Westchester County.
Peter Muller, founder of PDT Partners, will address graduates from the Lubin School of Business and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems. His career spans quantitative finance, entrepreneurship, and music, offering a perspective shaped by both analytical thinking and creativity.
To our graduates, this moment reflects everything you have built during your time at Pace. You are ready for what comes next.
Find out more about our speakers, FAQ, and other important information about Commencement.
I look forward to celebrating with you and your families.
Warmly,
Marvin Krislov
President, Pace University
This year’s Commencement brings together leaders shaping the world across journalism, healthcare, law, and business. Meet the 2026 Honorary Degree Recipients and speakers who will inspire the Class of 2026 as they step into what’s next.
Fall 2026 registration is here, and with it comes excitement, planning, and sometimes a bit of confusion. Let’s break down common myths and get the facts straight so you can register with confidence and stay on track for success.
From global media companies to major brands, government agencies, and cultural institutions, graduates of Pace University’s Communication and Media Studies program are shaping how stories are told across industries.