Tabatha Gonzalez ’18 knows how to set and score goals. As a digital journalism major and Pace soccer player, she is writing her path to victory one good story and game at a time through Pace’s unmatched opportunities.

“Pace gives you the opportunity to stand out,” Gonzalez says. “The school really focuses on getting its students on track for the real world. They require you to have internships, ask you what your goals are, and teach you on a different level that stimulates your mind.”

Gonzalez was offered scholarships to play collegiate soccer at several universities, but Pace was in a league of its own that made her choice easy.

“Pace stood out to me,” she says. “I looked into the University and liked how it was well-ranked, located in the perfect area, and focused on helping students obtain internships while in school, and then land jobs that lead them into their careers straight out of college.”

She was drawn to the Pleasantville Campus because it felt like home and was only a short distance from internships and career opportunities.

“The small class ratios allow you to get to know your professors—a lot of which have connections to people in your major—and they make you feel included,” she says. “They offer many organizations that allow you to find people you will be friends with throughout college and even the future, and they offer services and events that take away the stress of college and allow you to enjoy yourself on and off campus.”

In the classroom, learning about the ever-evolving world of journalism is helping her grow intellectually while preparing her to be the ethical and honest professional journalist she aspires to be. Her studies focus on the history of journalism, current journalism, and the future of the industry, and have inspired her to restore reporting to the high standards and ethics for which it was once known.

“I have analyzed the negatives of journalism and have focused on changing those for an all-positive future,” Gonzalez says. “There’s the cliché that change doesn’t come easily, and it’s true. By studying my field, I’ve learned that many steps must be taken to bring justice to journalism, and by doing so, we can provide the service of educating citizens about the daily news.”

As a part of the Writing Center staff, Gonzalez shares her knack for words and grammar with fellow students looking to enhance their own writing skills.

“In the Writing Center, we help students achieve their highest potential of writing through the collaborative work service we offer,” she says. “We try to teach them skills they can use later on in life.”

She helps students develop their own voices and asks them questions that prompt their thoughts, leading to a well-structured paper. In addition to academics, Gonzalez sets goals on the soccer field as a midfielder, with she dreams of winning a Northeast-10 championship during her college athletic career.

“It’s an honor to be able to finally say I’m a collegiate soccer player after all of the years of work I put in to achieve this,” she says.

Though being on the team requires hours of practice and full dedication, Gonzalez says she is grateful for every minute.

“Every loss we have is an example to practice harder, and every tie we finish with is a lesson that we have to give our full effort,” she says. “Every win we earn is an assurance that our hard work is going to good use.”

She says she plans to continue her work on the field and in the classroom in pursuit of a career at an online newspaper or magazine writing about sports or global politics.

“To me, academic excellence means prospering in classes, not only through the reflection of good grades, but also by applying information you learned from class in everyday conversations, in other class discussions, and in real world systems because you grow as a student and citizen,” Gonzalez says. “You can share your knowledge with other people and even help them become more well-rounded and knowledgeable.”

Pace University takes research seriously. This was something Sarah Davis ’18 took special notice of, as the ability for Pace students to collaborate with accomplished professors was one of the main reasons Davis was attracted to Pace.

“Pace’s psychology program is very unique in that all the professors at the doctoral level have made a name for themselves in the field with either research or clinical work. Pace also offers a student/faculty research opportunity with psychological research, which is something not many schools offer,” says Davis.

Davis, a psychology major who aspires to work professionally as a therapist, found a faculty mentor in professor Leora Trub. Trub, who is the director of the digital media and psychology lab, has considerable experience in research as it pertains to digital age realities—including recent research on possible associations between Instagram usage and depressive symptoms, as well as adult attachment and blogging behavior.

Realizing her own interests very much aligned with Trub’s, the duo embarked on an undergraduate student/faculty research collaboration. Sponsored by the Office of Student Success, Davis spent the 2016–2017 academic year working with Trub on examining the digital age through a therapeutic lens.

More specifically, the two looked at what Davis deemed “the changing barriers of the digital frontier,” examining how changing social and privacy norms may impact traditional forms of therapy.

“To me, research is gathering information to eventually present to the world something they may not have thought about before, like how the use of technology can impact the frame of therapy. I have learned so much from my own research experience that is has shown me the kinds of boundaries I may put in place once I am in my own practice,” says Davis.

Working with Trub has left a lasting impression on Davis, while also helping her take the next steps in her chosen career path.

“Leora Trub has helped me in so many ways—she is my faculty mentor to my research lab and I know I can always go to her if I need anything. She is so patient and really listens and offers great advice and is always helpful, I have been able to go to her with lab questions and graduate school planning and really anything.”

While at Pace, Davis has also explored Setter extracurricular offerings, and has become active in the Pace Community through involvement in student organizations. As a member of Peer Advocates Against Sexual Assault (PAASA), Davis helps organize training and events throughout campus to offer a space for students to be able to anonymously discuss and report instances of sexual assault. Part of the mission of PAASA is to give students a vital and necessary support system, which Davis has helped foster.

Davis has a similarly dedicated approach to community service, and has participated in numerous events aimed at assisting the greater New York area.

“One community service event that was really rewarding was when I helped paint and clean an elementary school in Brooklyn for a day. We were making that school beautiful and look new for the students to come back to. It felt great because you could just imagine the giant smiles on their faces!”

Between the research opportunities available to her, as well as the faculty relationships she has developed through both academic and community work, Davis will be properly prepared to take on the world—quite possibly from one of those uncannily comfortable therapist chairs.

Nursing student Cati Amaral ’18 has a huge heart for helping others. After seeing her grandfather battle pancreatic cancer with supportive nurses at his side, she was inspired to pursue a path to becoming a nurse. Now as a nursing student on the Pleasantville Campus, she has become a leader through her roles as vice president of the Honors Council and as the Student Government Association College of Health Professions representative, and inspires herself and others around her to be advocates and create change.

What is your favorite part about being a Pace student?
I never knew whether I wanted to go to a big or small school, but the Pace Pleasantville Campus is the perfect size. There is so much support here and there is always someone to go to—you are never really alone. There are also so many opportunities unique to Pace students.

What organizations, clubs, or activities have had the greatest impact on you?
Being a Resident Assistant (RA) is a big part of my life. I love being the person my residents go to. I am very passionate about being an advocate for students and a person who can start something new and make change. I have been able to do that as the vice president of the Honors Council and the Student Government Association College of Health Professions representative. Sometimes it can be hard for students to go to faculty or adults, but they can come to us and we can push to make a change for them.

Why did you choose nursing?
I knew I wanted to do something in the medical field and I thought maybe I would end up being a doctor. When I was younger, my grandfather was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and I remember the nurses being so kind to me in the hospital and making my grandfather as well as me and my family feel comfortable. I want to be the nurse that makes these experiences for people and their families in the hospital as good and comfortable as they can be and make a difference in their lives. I love the medical aspect of nursing as well, but the personal aspect is what really drew me to it.

What do you like to do in your free time?
Hang out with my family and watch movies. I am also a foodie, so anything that involves food.

What is your favorite class you’ve taken at Pace?
Pediatrics because that is what I would like to work in one day and is part of my experience in my clinical at the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, which is great. I also took a psychology of morality course with Paul Griffin, PhD, who is a wonderful teacher.

How has the Pace Path helped you?
It helped me plan out my four years and keeps me motivated and on track toward my goal. I set out on what I said I was going to do and the Pace Path gives me the push to keep going.

How has your experience been in the nursing program?
It has been challenging, but it builds you personally and teaches you a lot about yourself. It teaches you when you need to take breaks and when you need to keep pushing forward. It taught me that I can do anything I put my mind to and to push myself.

What is your greatest accomplishment at Pace?
I was chosen as a Pace Top 100 Scholar, which recognizes 100 undergraduate students who have the highest combined GPAs for the fall and spring semesters. I was really proud of that achievement.

If you could describe the Pace Path in a few words, what would they be?
Perseverance and dedication.

What’s your most memorable experience while at Pace?
Becoming an RA. I was picked as an alternate and when I was told I got the position, I was so excited because I didn’t realize so many people had applied.

What is one piece of advice you would give to incoming freshmen?
Get involved! During my freshman year, I was more worried about my course load than getting involved. Pace will give back to you what you put into it, so get out there!

Bartek Szymanski ’18 is feeling presidential. As the newly-elected president of the Student Government Association (SGA) on the New York City Campus, Szymanski hopes to decisively lead the student community that has challenged, informed, and positively impacted him as an undergraduate.

“When I came here, I knew I wanted to go into student government, and during Orientation I learned as much as I could,” says Szymanski. “I contacted all the student government executives; I picked up their constitution from Student Development and Campus Activities (SDACA). I did as much as I could to prepare myself.”

Szymanski’s commitment to preparation has served him well throughout his time at Pace, particularly in the realm of student government. Since joining SGA in 2014, Szymanski has been very active within the organization—he ran for office for four consecutive positions, and served in various posts prior to the presidency, including sophomore class president and executive parliamentarian.

Through years of meaningful work and campaigning, Szymanski has been able to piece together not only how different aspects of University operate, but also how he can unite them to help Pace function more effectively as a whole.

“I learned a lot and got the gist of how clubs and people work, and what needs to be fixed at Pace...I think campaigning is a great way to bring everything together,” says Szymanski.

As an Acting for Film, Television, Voice-Overs, and Commercials (FTVC) major at the Pace School of Performing Arts, Szymanski has been able to merge his distinct talents to forge his own unique Pace Path. For instance, his background in theater combined with his inclination for governmental involvement has enabled him to thrive as a member of the Mock Trial team—an extracurricular through which he’s gained a considerable amount of experiential learning. The team competed at the American Mock Trial Association Regional Tournament, where Szymanski won an All-Regional Witness award, and after competing in a competition with Ivy League heavyweights such as Columbia, Cornell, and Yale, became nationally ranked for the first time in Pace history.

Given his classroom experience in the arts, Szymanski looks at Mock Trial in an unorthodox, yet undeniably effective way—viewing it not only as a way to gain legal experience, but also as a way to brush up on his acting chops.

“I really enjoy the characters I play,” says Szymanski. “I think it’s such a great playground for actors to be witnesses…when you get crossed by another attorney, you have to be prepared and on your toes.”

Entering his final year as an undergraduate, Szymanski stresses that his accomplishments aren’t simply of his own doing, and that he continues to learn and be inspired by the Pace Community. He notes that opportunities are everywhere at Pace, and sometimes all it takes is to strike up a chat with a professor.

“The Pace Community really helped me out. The resources here are infinite. Professors—it is so important to stay after and just talk to them. I got invited to a very high-end club just because I stayed after and talked with my professor and showed interest.”

While Szymanski will undoubtedly go on to great things following his time as an undergraduate, he’s excited about discovering even more “hidden treasures” around campus during his senior year. As the semester reaches its halfway point, he’s already discovered one. Szymanski will be playing a role in the acclaimed pop-up reading series American Scoreboard, an incisive take on recent developments in Washington, D.C. when it comes to campus on October 23.

“This University has a lot of hidden gems that students just don’t know about. There are a lot of labs and clinics that people don’t take advantage of. I’ve found a lot of those hidden treasures, but I think there’s many hiding that I don’t know about."

As acting SGA President, it’s hard to say that Szymanski is hidden. But just like the labs, clinics, and people that he readily mentions, he’s undoubtedly quite the gem.

For Eiman Ahmed ’18, Pace runs in the family.

“My cousin went to Pace. I knew that the school was close by and had amazing internship opportunities. When I came to admitted student’s day, the advisors took the time to speak to me personally about my career goals and ambition. This drew me to Pace, as I already felt valued even before having decided I wanted to attend the University,” says Ahmed.

An aspiring Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) professional, Ahmed quickly found a home at the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems on the New York City Campus. She wasted no time in exploring the opportunities offered by a Seidenberg education—including getting involved in research, which quickly emerged as a cornerstone of her collegiate experience.

“I’ve done a lot of research. Research to me means trying to answer a question using data, proofs, and experiments. I’ve wrote research papers on sex trafficking, conducted research on the MTA subway system, and on how older adults feel about gerontechnology in place of traditional password management systems,” says Ahmed.

Her research savvy took her literally across the ocean. For one exciting project, Ahmed worked with students from Aalto University in Finland to research methods of drone transportation through residential buildings. She traveled to Europe to physically meet her team last fall, and will continue to work with them to complete the study.

In addition to research, Ahmed also understands the necessity of real-world experience. Throughout her time at Pace, she worked with major companies including Verizon and Microsoft, where she completed two separate internships—first working as a researcher, then as an Explorer Intern, a rotational program that designed to give undergraduates hands-on experience in different sectors of software engineering at Microsoft. And let's not forget Google, where she was a CodeU Student Engineer, and designed and developed an app alongside another student to use a clustering algorithm to take user interests and provide customized search results on Wikipedia.

“I’ve taken a lot of programming classes that helped me in my internships. Conversely, my internship experiences helped me a lot with school projects too and in group work, since I gained valuable insight throughout all my internships as to how projects are completed in a group setting successfully,” says Ahmed.

During her internships and coursework at Seidenberg, Ahmed sought out faculty that helped her further her ambitions in STEM. As a student in the computer science department, she worked closely with computer science professor D. Paul Benjamin, whose adaptive teaching style and willingness to go the extra mile enabled Ahmed to excel in computing.

“Professor Benjamin is really passionate about his work and he makes computing very easy to understand,” says Ahmed. “He has definitely served as a huge inspiration of mine ever since I came here.”

Ahmed has also striven to make an impact outside the classroom. Most notably, she founded an organization for women in STEM called Pace Women in Tech: Lean in Circle, which serves as a resource and support system to help fill the gap for women pursuing careers in STEM. She views the leadership skills she’s garnered through the Lean In Circle to be among one of the most important components of her undergraduate experience, and one that has helped give her the tools to grow positively and professionally.

As Ahmed sets her sights on life after college, she’ll continue to push further and challenge herself to reach even greater heights as a professional in the STEM field.

“The most important path for me has been learning what it is that I’ve wanted these past few years and who I am as a person. What brings me joy and drives me every day to be a better person than I was the day before—academically, professionally, and personally.”

James Best ’18, a communications major with a minor in sports marketing, set out to achieve his dreams of working in sports journalism, interning with NBCUniversal and NBC Sports Group as a digital and editorial intern with the NBCSports.com newsroom—an internship that he says changed his life.

“Ever since I was young, I wanted to have an impact through the thing I was most passionate about, and to receive that chance to make an impact in sports media has truly been a blessing,” Best says.

His quest for pursuing his passion through NBCSports.com began when he received an email from Handshake saying NBC was seeking fall interns to work with the NBC Sports Group. Knowing his love of sports and journalism, Best said he took every measure he could to try to secure the coveted position.

He contacted Career Services and his advisor, Susan Eisman, informing them he was extremely interested, sending in his resume, and then sending in the application to NBC Sports Group. Knowing that every connection counts, Best met with Eisman and he sent an email to the recruiter of NBC Sports showcasing why he would be an ideal candidate, which led him to landing an internship.

“I feel it was because of my relationship with my advisor over the course of my three years at Pace that I could stand out as a candidate with a referral from Career Services and advance in the interview process,” Best says. “Without the help of Career Services, I would have never received this internship, and I cannot thank every single person inside of Career Services enough for helping me get this opportunity.”

In his role as a digital and editorial intern at NBCSports.com during the fall semester, Best was assigned a variety of responsibilities, writing search engine optimized headlines, descriptions, and posts; embedding media into posts for professional, college, and other sports; promoting posts through social media; working with directors and managing editors to produce an NBC Sports Ever Wonder video; making marketing pitches to increase viewership; and even updating NASCAR racing statistics and analytics throughout the playoffs and championship chase.

Through all of these responsibilities, Best says one of the most valuable lessons he learned was the amount of attention to detail you need to have to become a professional journalist or editor. While he had some skills as a writer coming into the internship, he says he struggled at times with seeing the little things, such as grammatical errors and spelling certain players’ names correctly.

“I realized I had to push myself to get better at recognizing that the little things matter, and that in this profession, you’re going to make mistakes,” Best says. “But it’s about learning from your mistakes—that’s how you get better.”

One of Best’s most memorable moments from the internship was when he received an email from the creator of the NBC Sports ProFootballTalk blog, reporter Mike Florio. Best wrote a headline and a description for a video of Florio’s interview with the NFL New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton and emailed the ProFootballTalk staff with the information.

A few minutes later, he received an email from Florio asking whether the video was of the whole interview or just the piece on Payton talking about replays.

“I was really excited to receive an email from him because I probably sent three or four videos to ProFootballTalk daily, and this was the first time I received something from the boss,” Best says.

Best says he then checked Twitter about an hour later and saw that ESPN’s Saints beat writer Mike Tripplet saw the video of Payton and wrote a story about it sourcing ProFootballTalk.

“I felt so proud of the work I had done for one of the first times during my internship,” Best says. “In the profession I’m in, we don’t really get that much recognition for the things we do, but I knew that on that day, I contributed to helping two professionals project important information to a worldwide audience.”

Best attributes his success at NBC Sports to his decision to come to Pace and his journey on the Pace Path.

“My decision to come to Pace is the reason I am where I am today, and the University was vital to my success because it offered me the resources and support necessary to succeed in my academic and professional career,” Best says. “Each step on my Pace Path, including my involvement on my school newspaper, The Pace Chronicle, guided me to where I am, and when I look back, I’m thankful to sit and reflect on how it all lined up.”

For students looking to land an eye-opening internship experience like Best’s, he says his greatest piece of advice is to work hard if you want to make it in any field.

“Through it all, I remembered that no matter what I do, I’m going to work hard and give 110 percent effort,” Best says. “I know it is so cliché to say you have to be a hard worker, but to be honest, work ethic is something special that employers look for in students.”

Best completed a second internship with NBC Sports in the spring semester and then worked with the NBC Olympics newsroom in the fall assisting in coverage of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

“After this internship, I really think about my life, my education, and the workplace differently, and realize that my passion and enthusiasm can always drive me to become successful in anything I go into in the future,” Best says.

After graduation, he started a full-time job as digital editor at NBC Sports.

Janet Nweke ’18, a once forensic science major, was able to combine her passion for information technology by switching her major to computer forensics—all so she could combat cybercrime. She got her start honing her skills while working at Pace’s Computer Lab and went on to land a coveted internship at Proskauer Rose LLP, an international law firm, working in IT security. Throughout her time on the NYC Campus, Nweke has fielded IT questions and assisted students with everything from Wi-Fi connectivity issues, to remote desktop installation, to malware removal, and so much more. And she’s only just getting started!

Why did you end up choosing Pace? What set Pace apart from other universities?
That's a really great question! I ended up choosing Pace because, initially, it was the only school in NYC that offered a bachelor's degree program in forensic science. Out of all the other colleges that I applied to, Pace also had the best financial aid package. The location of the school was also ideal, as I live in Staten Island and liked the option of an easy commute.

I believe what sets Pace apart from other universities lies in its diversity, various majors, and tools for success. Its diversity can be seen via the student body, faculty, and staff. Pace also offers a wide range of majors so if you are like me, you can easily switch out of one major into another one that better meets your passion. In fact, during UNV 101, this was stressed to us constantly. Going into Pace, I knew that if my major did not work out I could comfortably find something else without switching schools. The other colleges that I had applied to were not as versatile.

Lastly, the tools for success provided by Pace are simply outstanding. Tools for success come in the form of advisors, the Writing Center, the Tutoring Center, Career Services, and more. However, a student must actively reach out and inquire in order to receive them.

How did you hear about Career Services? Were you referred by a professor or a student?
I learned about Career Services through my coworkers at the Computer Resource Center (CRC). I remember it as though it happened yesterday. I arrived to work and was surprised to see a few of my coworkers rushing to print resumes. They were also dressed in business attire, so out of curiosity, I inquired as to the occasion. My coworkers excitedly told me that today was the semi-annual Career Fair hosted by Career Services. I remember wishing that I had participated in that event, yet I was informed that it was an event only for those with Handshake access, so I called Career Services and learned what the steps were to gain access.

Who worked with you?
I first worked with Orellana del Fierro who introduced me to Career Services and walked me through the initial Handshake process. These steps included an in-person group session where I was formally introduced to Career Services and Handshake. I also learned of my responsibilities when participating in the Career Services internship program. Next, I attended an interview workshop—again, led by Orellana—and I remember feeling very accomplished. I knew that I was forming the building blocks of my future. After the session, I met with Orellana one-on-one and after discussing my career goals, she refereed me to Svetlana Kotlyarenko. Through Svetlana, I was able to gain more insight on resume building for an IT professional.

What was the preparation process like?
The preparation process was tedious, yet rewarding. Looking back, I really appreciate my resume preparation process with Svetlana. Svetlana definitely did not make my resume building easy and I am grateful for that. When I first visited Svetlana, I was instructed to brainstorm my technical skills and come back with a reworked resume. I felt very anxious, as this was my first time working on an IT professional resume. However, the more I brainstormed, the more I was able to recognize and write down my technical skills; I also discovered IT skill areas that were weak. I decided the best course of action would be to strengthen them before meeting with Svetlana.

I would say that it took about three semesters to accomplish this goal. When I finally met with Svetlana again, she was impressed with my improvements, and my resume was approved. I then attended Pace's Career Fair and also spent my entire spring 2017 applying for internships for the summer. I will always be grateful for Svetlana's instructions! Without them, I would not have been able to perfect my resume and land internships.

Of all your employment positions, which did you like the best? What was a defining moment for you while working there?
Wow, that's a question I've never really thought about. It is actually pretty hard to distinguish the one that I liked the best. However, if I had to choose, I would be stuck between Pace's CRC and my current IT security internship with Proskauer Rose LLP. Both have greatly enhanced my technical skills along with other job-related skills!

At the CRC, I learned the very basics of IT such as Wi-Fi connections, printer troubleshooting, remote desktop installation, malware removal, and various software downloads. I also replaced my first-ever keyboard! At the CRC, you really get exposed to a wide range of technical problems, which you can help students and faculty solve. One defining moment that I can think of would be the time that my IT technician manager entrusted me with assisting some software downloads specific to a club organization at Pace. It was really an honor because it spoke to the length of my technical growth at the CRC.

Concerning Proskauer Rose LLP, I have learned so much in the past six months from this amazing law firm. My IT security skills have advanced from textbook knowledge to actual hands-on experience. For example, I am now knowledgeable in security software such as Rapid7, Symantec, Varonis, and more. I have also gained a greater understanding of the business side of cybersecurity thanks to my awesome manger. Regarding defining moments, one that comes to mind would be my first-ever Windows PowerShell script. I implemented a script that outputted an excel spreadsheet of certain active directory groups. Although very small, I remember how excited I felt successfully running the script.

What initially got you into IT? Did someone or something inspire you, or were you always interested in the subject?
It's funny, my friends always ask this question because I used to be a forensic science major. Truthfully, I believe what got me interested in studying IT relies in my work environment, Dean Jonathan Hill, PhD; Assistant Dean Stephanie Elson; and Darren Hayes, PhD. When I first arrived at Pace, I began working for the CRC during my second semester as a freshman. It was during this time that I began to seek out potential computing classes to register for. I was lucky enough to take Introduction to Computing with Professor Hill and Olga Bova. I was able to grasp Hill's teachings on HTML quickly, and I also went to a few of his Seidenberg events. I remember one of those events being related to women in tech. I found this particular event so empowering that I later called the Seidenberg front desk and inquired about meeting with an advisor.

As luck would have it, I was paired with Stephanie Elson. I remember this moment as though it were yesterday. I was an upper sophomore, unhappy with my current major, and seeking guidance. After speaking with Stephanie, the following semester I began the process of switching my major. Then I registered for a few IT courses—one of which included computer forensics. This decision proved to be another phenomenal choice, as I got to meet Professor Hayes. Through his teachings, I was inspired to choose computer forensics as an IT focus. The rest, as they say, is history, and I fell in love with Pace's IT program and never looked back.

What motivates you?
Personally, I am motivated by my desire to protect others from cybercrime. The technology age is one that is quite marvelous. However, there are many who attempt to use technology for the purpose of heinous acts. These crimes can fall into various categories such as human trafficking, identity theft, corporate espionage, terrorism, and more. That is why I am so passionate about studying IT with a focus in computer forensics. It is this passion that also led to my interest in IT security because in order to fully understand computer forensics, one must acquire a basic knowledge of its parent: IT security.

You recently led a coding workshop for LKY Unity Tech Club. Can you tell us a little bit about that? How did you get involved and what was that experience like?
Yes, for sure! LKY Unity Tech Club was created by my good friend Laura Yancy, the founder and CEO. Her foundation works assiduously to expose digital technology and computer science to underrepresented African communities. It was established in Parkhill, Staten Island, a widely underrepresented African community, and also the childhood neighborhood of Yancy. The club offers various STEM programs, and Laura believed that I would be a perfect workshop leader. I jumped at the opportunity, because for a long time, I had always wanted to distribute my acquired Pace IT knowledge to our youth. As a Nigerian-American, I felt very connected to her efforts, as one of my long-term goals involves building an STEM school in my family's hometown.

As to my experience, I was a bit nervous leading, but as time went by, I found my teaching flow. I began with explaining a bit of basic math and dived into teaching HTML code and a bit of JavaScript. I was amazed at how quickly my students grasped my lesson. It was truly a wonderful experience, and I intend to continue working with Laura and her organization. Once the children have developed a stronger foundation of basic computing, I plan to introduce a simplified workshop relating to cybersecurity and computer forensics.

Communications major Tara Bernstein ’18 is an outfielder for Pace’s softball team on the Pleasantville Campus, and a big-time sports enthusiast. Her passion for reporting led her all the way to interning for the Mets, NBC Sports, and New York 1 News (NY1 News). She’s covered everything from human interest stories to play-by-plays, and she’s just getting started! We were lucky enough to catch up with Bernstein on her way to her next gig.

Why did you end up choosing Pace? What set Pace apart from other universities?
I was interested in going away to school in Florida, but I realized NYC had more opportunities. Now looking back, I see all my friends who went to school in Florida, and yeah, it seems like a lot of fun, but I know Pace was a better choice for me. I've already had six internships, so it was a definitely a good choice to be so close to the city with the ability to commute back and forth from home as well as play softball. For me, it was the best package to play softball for them with the scholarship that I got.

Have you worked with Career Services? If so, who referred you?
I met with Nicole Catalfamo my freshman year up until my junior year, and she helped me with my resume. I also attended two workshops there that were all very helpful. While Career Services didn't get me those internships, they really helped me prepare for them. I just applied online for a lot of the internships I received.

What has your preparation process been like when applying and interviewing for positions?
The first internship that I received was with the Mets. It was a part-time job that turned into a full-time one. I just applied on their website, so I wasn't expecting anything. Then I checked my email one day and realized they wrote back to me! I've been a diehard Met fan all my life, so getting that response was kind of a dream come true. After that, it made networking easier to open doors for other opportunities.

I reached out to the Major League Baseball organization, and got to work the all-star game down in Miami. I also worked with NBC Sports Radio. I got that internship because of a broadcasting camp I did in high school. I met one of the directors there, who actually has his own show now. So I interned with them and that really opened doors for me.

Last semester, I worked with NY1 News. I also worked the Power Showcase, which is a recruiting camp for collegiate athletes and younger athletes who get to show off their skills in front of pros and scouts. I was an on field reporter there in Miami. I kind of created my own little show and got to interview the players behind the scenes. Most recently, I was an intern with the transit reporter, José Martinez.

Of all your employment positions, which did you like the best? What was a defining moment for you while working there?
I have to say I liked working for the Mets the most because I'm a diehard fan and I got to bring my friends and family to games. That's something I never got to do when I was at home. I like to make sure they're happy and getting to share that experience. Working there was so fun!

What motivates you?
My family. My dad is one of my biggest supporters and mentors, but also my parents and grandmother. I do everything for them. I'm pushing hard every day so that when they're older, I can take of care of them and they can take it easy. My dad used to take me to my softball practices. He's a musician, so it was a different lifestyle for him—traveling everywhere while he had his gigs.

My family means everything to me. They're a big reason why I wake up every day and strive to be better.

You've worked for the Athletics Department for a while now. How did you get involved? What's it like working there?
I've been commentating for basketball, which is interesting because I've always focused on baseball. In general, working with the Athletics Department has been cool. Working with all the athletes and hearing their stories has been a good experience, and I've been able to create my own content there.

What is it about sports that inspires you? How has it shaped your academic experience at Pace?
I've been playing since I was ten years old. I've always wanted to play baseball, but obviously had to pay softball. It helped me focus in school. I mean, you have to get good grades and be able to work well with others in sports, so that has helped me in school and life, and now everything that my coaches taught is coming together in college ball and interning with the Mets. I can use what I've learned from being on an actual team and transfer that to jobs and life in general. Softball has really taught be to be resilient and confident in myself.

You were a reporter for NY1 News in the fall. Tell us about that!
That was actually very interesting. It was so different! I had been so into covering sports that covering New York City transit news was a different beat for me. Traveling the city and going to the different trains was so interesting. The first story they sent me to cover was when a little boy had passed away and I had to go interview the family. It was so tough—it really reminded me of why I knew I didn't want to be in news, just strictly sports. But it definitely taught me that now I am able to cover news and it shows that I'm well-versed in other subjects, not just sports.

Shortly after arriving on the Pleasantville Campus, Jamie DelToro ’19 participated in StrengthsQuest—an assessment that pinpoints personality strengths—and found that her greatest strength, development, has truly defined her journey at Pace.

“I am passionate about making everyone and everything better—from helping students get involved, seeing a student you mentored blossom full speed, taking advantage of everything on campus, and learning as much as possible—and then using that to better yourself,” DelToro says.

During her first year, DelToro dove into her academics as a childhood education major while realizing the importance of getting involved in the dozens of clubs, activities, and organizations Pace has to offer. She started working at the Center for Student Development and Campus Activities (SDCA), which she says helped her grow and develop into the strong leader and mentor she is for other students each day.

“I learned the system of how organizations work without having to be on an executive board just yet, and everything the school has to offer,” DelToro says. “If I didn’t have that experience, I probably would have been a little lost or more to myself.”

Her job gave her the inside scoop on upcoming events, and she and her friends began finding their favorites such as Homecoming, Greek life galas, and Programming Happy Hours in the Boudreau Lounge, and she found several opportunities that sparked her interest.

She is active in Future Educators Association, and she became a mentee in the African American, Latino, Asian, and Native American (AALANA) program—a peer mentorship program designed to assist first-year students with their transition to college life. She now serves as a mentor in the program, helping students adjust to college life on the Pleasantville Campus.

“Mentoring is about being there for your peers and helping them with whatever issues they might be facing, and learning from them, too,” says DelToro. “It is a give and take relationship. You can learn from everyone because we all have different life experiences, which is something I learned my freshman year as a mentee in AALANA, and what I hope to teach my mentee as a mentor.”

Becoming an Orientation Leader is an experience that DelToro says will stay with her forever. Applying her passion for development, she helped students get acclimated to the Pleasantville Campus and enjoys seeing the impact she made as they grow into successful members of the Pace Community.

“I think the most eye-opening thing I learned through this experience is that you truly could make an impact on someone’s life without even knowing it,” DelToro says.

Outside of Pace, she helps first-generation Latino students achieve their goals and navigate FAFSA through Latino U College Access, an opportunity she discovered at the Pleasantville Campus Job and Internship Fair.

On her journey as a childhood education major in the five-year combined master’s program for special education in Pace’s School of Education, DelToro has developed through the Pace Path, which combines academic and real-world experiences through purposeful planning and mentoring.

“The Pace Path helps you think about and plan the next four years without completely setting it stone,” she says. “A lot of people don’t plan ahead, and it is a great way to make you sit down, picture yourself in the future, and then plan how to get there. It is helping me plan everything out and understand that this is one way—but not the only way—to get there.”

As an education major, DelToro has access to the Mursion avatar room, which is a computer program that simulates students in a classroom setting. She can teach the students coursework, ask them questions, and practice scenarios that can arise in real life so she is prepared when she student teaches during her junior year.

Through her journey on the Pace Path and her success in academic and extracurricular opportunities, DelToro is considering working in student affairs after she graduates, or she would like to teach second graders or students with special needs.

“I want to help students with special needs develop to their full potential, and become a teacher that makes an impact on students’ lives,” DelToro says.

Sasha Ariel Alston ’19, is an accomplished STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) student on a mission. An information systems major, Alston is making quite the splash with the publication of her children’s book, Sasha Savvy Loves to Code. The book, which Alston wrote to encourage and empower girls—especially girls of color—to learn how to code, has already been featured in numerous publications, including the Huffington Post and The Renewal Project.

Sasha Savvy Loves to Code follows Sasha, a 10-year-old African American girl living in Washington, D.C., as she attends summer coding camp and solves various challenges through coding. The story is loosely based on Alston’s own experiences growing up in the nation’s capital.

“This book is based on a lot of things I’ve experienced, but through the eyes of a 10-year-old,” says Alston. “I hope the book will inspire girls to pursue opportunities in STEM because I see first-hand how underrepresented women and girls are in this area.”

Demand for Sasha’s story has been high. Having well exceeded her $5,000 Kickstarter goal (Alston raised $17,000), the book officially launched on June 2, 2017 and sold out on the very first day. It’s now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, and more.

Alston’s success in the publishing world has led to a number of additional opportunities. She was recently featured in Disney’s Dream Big Princess photography campaign, and is working with Google and Snap Inc.’s Made with Code initiative, which aims to foster computer science and coding interest amongst girls through making Snapchat filters. Alston has also had the opportunity to inspire the next generation of coders through public speaking; she recently addressed elementary school students in Ohio, and has more speaking engagements planned in Los Angeles, the Silicon Valley area, and Chicago in the coming weeks and months.

While the general public is getting introduced to Sasha’s story for the first time, she’s busy figuring out the next chapter.

“Right now, I’m working on an outline for the next three books—I want it to be a series, with the ultimate hope for it to be a TV show—similar to Doc McStuffins, which shows young girls they can grow up to be doctors.”

As Alston’s work begins circulating around the world, she hopes to serve as a positive example to young women everywhere, particularly as STEM fields become more impactful both locally and globally.

“Combining STEM with social justice is what keeps me motivated,” says Alston. “I literally want to change the face of STEM.”

Thus far, Alston’s ambitions and Pace have been a natural fit. As a Lubin transfer student, she realized that the New York City Campus was the perfect place to merge her interests in business and technology, and put herself in a position to succeed.

“I really loved Pace because they had information systems in the business school as opposed to just in computer science,” says Alston. “I also appreciate Pace’s location in New York—a hub of business and technology innovations and its reputation in finding excellent internship opportunities for its students.”

Alston, who isn’t in the business of wasting time, has already taken advantage of the aforementioned internship opportunities. She’s had eight internships in all, including a social media intern role with ManyMentors, a nonprofit that supports K–12 students through mentorships and helps facilitate opportunities for students within STEM.

Through her experiences in and outside of the classroom, Alston has been able to hone her future outlook. In addition to expanding the reach and capacity of the book series, she ultimately hopes to develop an education technology startup that provides students with the skills needed to excel in school and life. As a self-proclaimed “STEM Queen,” her goal is to one day collaborate with the popular “InternQueen,” and cultivate opportunities for students—particularly those underrepresented in fields like STEM.

Alston’s passion for STEM, combined with her impressive extracurricular initiative, has helped set her apart from her peers. As she enters the second half of her undergraduate experience, she knows that her discipline, focus, and drive will help take her to the next level.

“If you are interested in STEM, you have to be very disciplined and determined. It requires a lot of focus, studying, and practice. Being clear on what your mission is and how you will use the skills is key,” says Alston.