Class of 2021
Nursing (RN4)
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

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I chose Pace for many reasons such as the very supportive on-campus community, the wonderful connections available, and the convenient location, among other considerations. Above all, I chose Pace because of the number of hands-on experiences available to students in the early stage of their college path. As someone who is a hands-on learner and can't learn effectively simply through textbooks and tests, it was amazing and very valuable to me to learn that as early has my first semester of Sophomore year, I'd be all scrubbed up and in our top-notch Nursing simulation labs learning a plethora of skills that we would apply and use in the actual hospital setting! Even more amazing was that one semester later, we'd already be starting clinical rotations in actual hospitals, applying what we’d learned in class to the real world. This immersive learning experience helped me grow tremendously in knowledge and practice. Because of this early exposure, and the extremely supportive faculty and staff, I would definitely recommend Pace to all prospective students. Pace has given me a positive outlook on the future for myself, my peers, and our community as a whole.

Ever since I was a child, I've always been interested in many things. From acting, to political science, to journalism, my interests bounced all around, but at the core of it all, I knew I wanted to interact with people and provide support and happiness. Nursing seemed like a very good choice for me, because it allowed flexibility for me to do things outside of the job that I still appreciated. However, it wasn't until I took a Pace tour that I genuinely saw Nursing as a program that I'd truly enjoy. From hearing the excitement and experience from the current Nursing students and faculty at that time, to learning about the non-competitiveness due to the direct admissions to the program, and also learning about the early exposure to clinicals, Pace really piqued my interest in the career as a whole. All the previous colleges and universities I had visited to learn about Nursing seemed to solely focus on exams, numbers, and many other things whereas at Pace, I immediately felt valued as a person and an individual and truly saw the passion the faculty, staff and students had about the program. This ultimately led me to pursuing the Nursing program, that I now love so much, here at Pace.

It's hard to choose a favorite class I have because there are so many wonderful ones! I had a wonderful class Freshmen year which was called Nature in Photography! Like many of Pace's classes, this was a hand's on class and in it we got to explore the world of Nature through literature, science, and life while simultaneously engaging in the world of Photography. We made trips to the Rockefeller State Park Reserve, would present new photos on a bi-weekly basis, and in general really got a chance to see our classmates grow in skill and knowledge. Through this time, some of my classmates and I had the opportunity to partake in a Mock Trial in front of actual members of the New York State Assembly and present an issue and a possible solution on the problem of water pollution on the Hudson River. At the end of the semester, after the Mock Trial and the many fun classes and experiences we had, we held a Photography Exhibit in the Mortola Library, and our artwork was able to stay there for the whole semester for the community to see! Besides this wonderful class, I've loved all of my Nursing classes so far due to the wonderful and immersive clinical experiences that come along with it.

I had a very unusual path from high school to college, but Pace definitely helped make the transition smooth and easy. I went to a conservatory-based high school where I spent a majority of my day taking classes as a Drama Major. However, a made a complete flip and went to pursue Nursing without any prior experience or knowledge in the field. The wonderful, personable Nursing faculty and staff provided assistance in whatever I needed and really helped engineer their curriculum and teaching to help learn as an individual. As far as transitioning to campus life, Pace did a great job at that as well! Coming from busy New York City, I was afraid that the campus at Pleasantville would be too quiet and calm for my liking. However, I was proven wrong. Now, it's actually hard for me to do everything I want to do because there are always so much happening!

Having clinical rotation as early as my Sophomore second semester has been truly valuable and continuing that throughout each semester has been extremely beneficia to my education, courage, and nursing skills. I’ve had so many wonderful clinical experiences, but one of my favorites was my first MedSurg clinical rotation at NYP-Cornell in Manhattan. I dream about working at NYP, and having my rotation there was a great experience. With an amazing clinical instructor and a very supportive hospital staff, I was able to shadow nurses and perform tasks such as administering medicine, performing vitals, providing therapeutic communication. Through it all, I was able to connect with, shadow, and learn from a lot of different staff. From it, I made multiple connections and obtained many referrals and internship/job opportunities from the people I met. By the end of my experience there, not only did the nurses and staff trust me to carry out various tasks, but, more importantly, I trusted myself and my capabilities as a nursing student to carry out tasks that actual nurses would perform. I am currently excited for my preceptorship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which is the #2 ranked Cancer Center, in the U.S. I've been given the opportunity to shadow a nurse for full 12-hour shifts, during which I'll be learning about Oncology. Pace's clinical opportunities and connections have been a vital part of my education as a Nursing student. I truly believe it is one of a kind!

I'm also extremely involved in campus extra-curricular opportunities. Previously I was the CHP Ambassador for our Student Government Association, and now I am the very first Diversity Ambassador for Pace University on the Pleasantville campus where I advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on campus! I also have jobs as a tour guide, an RA, and an ApogeeTV Ambassador. I'm a member of the Alpha Chi Rho fraternity, the National Student Hall Honorary, the Black Student Union, Dominican Student Association, and Senior Planning Committee. In my free time outside of these extracurriculars, I like to play basketball, juggle, or go with friends to other events around campus.

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I chose Pace's College of Health Professions for a bunch of reasons. The program was a direct admit nursing program and also had a high NCLEX pass rate. That definitely caught my attention when applying to colleges. But what eventually sealed the deal was when I took a tour of Pace and learned about the amazing clinical sites and opportunities offered to students. There are many clinical sites, especially in New York City, which is where I plan to work in the future.

My mom is a nurse, and she definitely sparked my interest in the profession. Additionally, my time as a volunteer in an ambulance corp. while in high school showed me how meaningful and impactful helping people is. Knowing that I will be able to make a difference in someone's life is what encourages me as I pursue my BSN and makes me super excited to enter into the profession!

I'd say that I had a pretty painless transition from high school to college life, and I attribute a lot of it to the Setter's Leadership Program, through which I was able to go on a leadership retreat with other incoming freshmen in upstate NY. And although we all dreaded not having cell service, it was a great way to make friends, and I still talk to a lot of them to this day! Pace also offers week of welcome activities, involvement fairs, and a UNV 101 class that all collectively help make your transition as easy as possible.

Some of my favorite classes so far are Anatomy & Physiology and Nursing Fundamentals, which both have a lab component. In the Anatomy Lab class, I was able to dissect a cow eye, sheep heart, and a cat, which really enhanced my understanding of the material. In Nursing Fundamentals, I've learned how to insert a catheter, how to change a dressing, and how to administer medication. These hands-on experiences help boost my knowledge and confidence as I continue my education here at Pace.

Although I haven't had any clinical experiences yet, as I am only a first semester sophomore, I am excited to have my Med/Surg clinical next semester!

There are so many opportunities to be involved in clubs and extra-curriculars here at Pace. I am a part of the Setter's Leadership Program and Asian Student Union, a peer leader, tour guide, and a member of sorority and fraternity life.

The Pace Law Advocacy Board is excited to announce its inaugural publication of The Advocate’s Advantage, the official blog of the Pace Law Advocacy Program. The blog publishes articles written by both students and faculty pertaining to a variety of trial, appellate, and evidentiary issues. Please subscribe to The Advocate’s Advantage and receive notifications of new posts! The editors are always seeking submissions from both faculty members, students, and alumni. If you would be interested in publishing an article, please contact advocatesadvantage@law.pace.edu.

A childhood diagnosis of immune deficiency kept me hospital-bound for long periods of time, but also made me passionate about both medicine and philanthropy. I knew that I wanted to return the kindness I received, and help children who suffered from illnesses more severe than mine. At Pace, I am pursuing my passion as a Biology/pre-med major. When I came here, I was captivated by the sense of community despite being in such a large city, and also by the Biology Department, with its newly renovated, state of the art labs and opportunities for students to get involved in research. In fact, the first day of freshman year, my chemistry professor invited me to work with him on his research project. After graduation, I plan to attend medical school and become a reconstructive plastic surgeon. I currently have my own non-profit organization, which benefits pediatric patients, and would love to be able to provide funding for pro bono surgeries. The most valuable lessons I have learned so far are that patience is key, uncertainty is okay, and to never lose sight of who you are and where you want to go!

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Environmental Science student from coal-mining town leads efforts to make the New York City campus more green and sustainable.

How did you become interested in environmental science?

Environmentalism has always been my passion. The natural world is not only what sustains us, but it is also a fundamental part of our culture and society, and if we lose it, we will lose a part of what it means to be human. For such reasons, I chose to pursue an environmental science degree. I wanted to obtain knowledge and develop a background on the environmental issues that the world faces, and learn about the history of the environmental movement, so that I am better able to apply strategies used in the past to implement sustainable practices and projects today.

Can you tell me more about the Pace Sustainability Initiative (PSI) and your role as president?

The Pace Sustainability Initiative was created to start an environmental movement at Pace. We wanted the club to inspire and motivate students by showing them that students anywhere can make a big difference in the world. Movements like PSI have always relied on passionate people to blur the lines between the possible and impossible. The initiative aims at organizing and mobilizing these passionate individuals. Our philosophy is that of [American architect and urban designer] Daniel Burnham’s “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood,” a quote that stresses the point that nothing is too big for PSI, whether it is installing a green roof on campus, reducing water use by millions of gallons yearly, or stopping micro-plastic pollution on campus. One of the key features that give this initiative so much power is its great coordination and organization, and my role as president is to bring together student concerns, project, events, meetings, and people.

Pace University allows me to be on the front lines of the environmental movement, and provides me the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself.

PSI has seen some very successful initiatives under your leadership, which have both improved student life and saved the University money.

The Pace Sustainability Initiative has created numerous events and projects in its short two-year span. Upon its creation, the founding members and I drafted an extensive proposal to install low flow faucet aerators at One Pace Plaza and all the surrounding dorms. These aerators would infuse air with the faucet water and, in return, reduce the amount of water used by up to 75%. The Pace Administration was very happy to work with us and implemented the project in the summer of 2018 on all faucets in One Pace Plaza and all the dorms, except the one on John Street. The initiative estimates that the faucet aerator project has saved the University an average of 2,688,781 gallons of water and $35,479 annually.

Your work to make the New York City campus greener continues, including an exciting proposal for the next level of the Master Plan.

The faucet aerator project provided momentum to create several other initiatives. The recycling station initiative, for example, has been a great success. PSI has circulated descriptive recycling labels to all recycling containers on campus, in an effort to cut down on recycling contamination, and we will be expanding these labels to all the dorms, 41 Park Row, and 163 William Street during the fall semester. In addition, among many ongoing initiatives, our main focus has been proposing and campaigning for the creation of a green roof on One Pace Plaza’s fourth floor roof. A green roof is a vegetative layer on the roof of a building that improves storm water runoff, lowers the urban heat island effect, reduces noise and air pollution, and provides a habitat for wildlife. If all goes as planned, the second phase of the Master Plan will include the implementation of a green roof!

As if you aren’t already busy, have you been active on campus in other ways?

I am also the secretary of UNICEF’S Pace University branch, a very new creation that will start outreach, fundraising, and education next semester! UNICEF’s main goal is making sure that no children die from preventable causes, so as the UNICEF club, we will be conducting events that will increase awareness of these significant issues and, most importantly, raise funds that will go overseas to help the most vulnerable children. I am also currently a member of the GreenPace committee, an organization that includes faculty members, staff, student interests, and administrative directors. We meet once a month to discuss various environmental initiatives on the New York City and Pleasantville campuses and our goal is to promote and share environmental initiatives. PSI often presents its projects to the committee for feedback and advice.

Where are you from originally?

I am from the former coal town of Pottsville, Pennsylvania. One can see how the legacy of coal has built the town, but one can also take notice of the effects deindustrialization has had on a formerly manufacturing and extraction-based community. It is with this lesson that I come to New York to promote sustainable development, i.e., the creation of a diverse and sustainable economy based away from the extraction of resources and towards a primarily service and renewable energy- based economy.

What is it about Pace that made you come here?

Pace University allows me to be on the front lines of the environmental movement, and provides me the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself. I always felt like New York City was the place where history could be made any day, and I wanted to be a part of it when that happens.

What have your experiences with the Environmental Studies and Science Department been like?

Melanie Dupuis, PhD, the department chair, and Anne Toomey, PhD, the Pace Sustainability Initiative faculty advisor, have both been a tremendous help. We have always been able to rely on them for feedback and support with several events we have done. The faculty is always proactive in helping out the initiative and they host many intriguing environmental events around the city and campus.

What would you like to do after graduation/what are your career goals?

I really enjoy the work I am doing with PSI and would like to continue doing similar work with a non-profit or government entity in New York City.  Working on and eventually managing environmental, educational, and sustainability projects in the city would be a career goal of mine.

What is the most important advice you can provide to current students?

The greatest regrets in my life are the actions I never made and the opportunities I never took. My advice to anyone would be to always grab opportunities when they arise and always make the choices that allow you to become the person you want yourself to be. The difference between the person you are meant to be and the person who lives with regrets could be a single decision lost in time. Be who you need to be!

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BA in English/MS in Publishing combined degree student has both a passion for writing and activism on campus sexual assault awareness

What attracted you to Pace, your course of study, and the combined BA in English/MS in Publishing program?

I'm from Ohio, so coming to Pace and moving to New York was a very big decision for me to make. I chose Pace because I wanted a small and interactive learning environment, and because of the incredible opportunities the university has to offer, which includes combined degree programs, internships, and career connections.

When I was in high school, I fell in love with the written word and knew I wanted to pursue a career having to do with reading and writing. English seemed to fit my criteria best, which led me to study subjects such as literature, journalism, communications, and creative writing. My sophomore year at Pace, a few of my English professors suggested I pursue the combined degree program in English and Publishing, since it coincides directly which what I want to do in the future. This program was very appealing, especially since I had the opportunity to finish my bachelor’s and master’s in five years, a year earlier than most.

You are both a writing tutor and educator on campus sexual assault. Tell us more.

Since fall 2017, I’ve been working as a tutor in the Writing Center, through which I’ve learned the importance of helping my peers develop their papers instead of editing them. This method has allowed students to better comprehend the expectation of a professor, as well as grow as a writer. Outside of the Writing Center, I am a peer educator in the Office of Sexual Assault Prevention and Education, where I am involved with Fighting Ignorance and Rape through Education (FIRE). Our purpose as an organization under the Office of Sexual Assault Education and Prevention, is to raise awareness and to educate students on the topic of sexual assault on college campuses. As part of my role, I give presentations to various groups on campus, organize and participate in events, and serve as a confidential resource to my peers on campus who need to talk about sexual assault. Finally, I am the digital managing editor for Alinéa: Literary & Arts Journal (formerly known as Vox) at Pace, in which I oversee the website and blog. As an organization, we hold creative writing and art workshops, and publish one issue a semester with faculty and student submissions of poetry, prose, and art.

I chose Pace because i wanted a small and interactive learning environment, and because of the incredible opportunities the university has to offer, which includes combined degree programs, internships, and career connections.

Can you discuss your internship at Macmillan Publishers? How did you obtain it?

Professor Rob Mundy recommended me for the internship in the Speakers Bureau Department at Macmillan, while Professor Olivia Worden helped prepare me for the application, interview, and finally, for the position. I have been working there since fall 2018, and through this experience, have learned about the various components of a publishing house: legal, financial, technological, event planning, business management, sales and marketing, design, and more. My role, which turned into a part-time job this past summer, is to assist in finding speaking engagements for authors published under Macmillan, while also organizing details for the event.

What would you like to do upon graduation/what are your career goals?

Upon graduation, I hope to have a job at a publishing house in New York and also earn my yoga teaching certification, open an art studio, and continue to write.

What advice, if any, would you like to give to our current students?

Stay organized and show your confidence. There is no better first impression than one loaded with positive and active energy.