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Pace University Continues a 36-Year Tradition in the Fight Against Breast Cancer

Join your fellow Setters along with our team captain, Dr. Ellen Mandel Professor Emeritus, in the fight to end breast cancer at the 36th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on Saturday, October 24, at Foley Square, with participants walking across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Pace has maintained a proud tradition of being the largest college/university team. We hope to continue that important distinction. Join us by registering for the Pace team today!

We’re stronger together. United by hope, we can support those who need help today, while fearlessly searching for tomorrow’s cures. Will you join us in this fight?

If you have questions regarding registration, please email Stacie Spitzkoff from Komen Race for the Cure. Additional questions can be directed to Pace’s Public Affairs department.

Please watch the YouTube video below of Dr. Mandel reading a poem she wrote 30 years ago to create awareness about Breast Cancer and to beg for federal funding in Washington, “Walking for the Cure.” This poem was aired during the 30th anniversary of Komen NYC.

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Long before she arrived at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Bianca Hayles ’27 knew she wanted to use the law to create meaningful change in her community.

For Bianca Hayles, becoming a lawyer has never been just about building a career—it has always been about creating opportunities for others. As a first-generation college student, she earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice before gaining professional experience as a paralegal and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) professional. Now, as a full-time JD candidate at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, she is building on that foundation with a clear goal: to become a powerful advocate and problem solver for those who need it most. “I want to be an amplifier, advocate, and problem solver within my community—using the law as a tool to create meaningful change,” she shares.

“Growing up in South Jamaica, Queens, alongside my mother and my autistic brother, has shaped my perspective and deepened my commitment to making a positive impact,” Bianca explains. These experiences instilled in her a strong sense of responsibility and passion for justice early on.

As a New York native who hopes to give back to the state where she grew up, and as someone who aspires to be a litigator, Bianca believes there is no better law school for her than Haub Law. “It has a nationally ranked advocacy program and professors who are making significant strides in the fight for access to justice,” she notes. “These reasons, along with the generous financial aid package I received, made Haub Law a perfect choice for me.”

Since starting at the Law School, Bianca has fully embraced both the academic and experiential opportunities available to her. She has gained hands-on experience through internships, externships, and at a private law firm. Reflecting on her journey, she emphasizes the value of exploring different paths within the legal field. “I can confidently say that I have had a rich experiential learning experience, which has allowed me to sharpen my existing skills, develop new ones, and gain clarity about the type of attorney I would like to be.”

I can confidently say that I have had a rich experiential learning experience, which has allowed me to sharpen my existing skills, develop new ones, and gain clarity about the type of attorney I would like to be.

—Bianca Hayles '27

Equally important to Bianca’s experience is the strong sense of community she has found at Haub Law. From faculty and staff to her peers, she describes an environment defined by support, connection, and genuine investment in student success. “There isn’t a day that goes by when I walk the halls of the Law School without feeling the love and support that surrounds me. I feel an overwhelming sense of connection. My peers bring me so much joy, laughter, and camaraderie, while my professors invest their time in getting to know me beyond the classroom. I wouldn’t trade my community here for anything.”

Prior to starting at Haub Law, Bianca participated in the Judicial Institute’s New York Legal Education Opportunity Program, which helps bridge the gap for students who may not have access to mentorship within the legal profession while also introducing foundational concepts for first-year coursework. It was through this program that Bianca found an invaluable mentor in Visiting Assistant Professor Salihah Denman. “Her unwavering support and guidance have been essential as I navigate the challenges of being a first-generation Black law student. I frequently turn to her for advice as I tackle the complexities of this journey,” she shares.

A dedicated student leader, Bianca has served as President of both the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) and the Public Interest Law Student Organization (PILSO), where she has worked to build community and create opportunities for her peers.

Looking ahead, Bianca aspires to become a litigator while also establishing a nonprofit dedicated to supporting vulnerable youth in her community. Grounded in her own experiences and driven by a commitment to service, she is determined not only to succeed, but to uplift others along the way.

“I have been fortunate to receive mentorship and kindness from individuals who recognized my potential, and I believe it’s my duty to give back and invest in the next generation.”

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A seasoned nonprofit leader, Anne Sekula ’28 is leveraging the FLEX JD program to pursue a long-held goal—using the law to advance policy, support communities, and create lasting change.

For Anne Sekula, the decision to pursue a law degree was shaped by a lifetime of service, resilience, and a deep commitment to justice. Growing up on a dairy farm in rural Virginia as the youngest of seven girls, Anne was raised in a family that valued education and hard work. While most of her siblings became teachers and her mother put her own career on hold to raise seven children, education remained a priority. “I was always interested in justice, but didn’t think I could afford to attend law school,” Anne reflects.

After college, Anne built a career rooted in service—first as a social worker supporting single mothers and children experiencing homelessness, and later in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. She went on to earn a Master’s in Education from Harvard and spent years working on issues ranging from education reform to workforce development and domestic violence. But over time, she found herself wanting to do more.

“I became frustrated advocating for policy and public funding and seeing well-supported, evidence-based efforts fall off legislative and philanthropic agendas,” she explains. “I realized I didn’t have the specific skill set needed to move that work forward.”

A move to New York presented the opportunity for a mid-career transition, and law school became the next step in her journey—one that would allow her to combine policy work with direct client advocacy and gain the legal tools needed to create lasting change. Haub Law’s FLEX JD program made that transition possible. At the time she applied, Anne was balancing a consulting practice, a busy family life, and significant geographic constraints. “I needed a program that gave me flexibility so I could continue working, parenting, and still spend time with my spouse—and sleep,” she says. “The Law School’s FLEX JD program allowed me to choose a mix of day and evening classes that fit my schedule, while still leaving room for family time and volunteer and research opportunities.”

Since enrolling, Anne has found the program both rigorous and manageable. “I’ve been able to take just one fewer class each semester than my full-time peers, while still dedicating about 45 to 60 hours a week to school,” she notes. “In my second and third years, I’ve also been able to limit my time on campus to just a few days a week by combining day and evening classes. Pace has made that process very seamless.”

Beyond the flexibility, Anne has fully embraced the academic and experiential opportunities available at Haub Law. She has participated in the Pace Women’s Justice Center Family Court Legal Program, gaining hands-on courtroom experience while supporting low-income clients navigating complex family law matters. She has also pursued internships aligned with her interests in public interest and reproductive justice law, including work with a law firm and as a policy analyst for a national association of governors.

Anne also joined Pace Law Review during her 2L year and will serve as Editor-in-Chief in her final year, an achievement she sees as especially meaningful for part-time students. “We are committed to making Law Review flexible enough to accommodate part-time students so they also have the opportunity to pursue scholarly work within a busy schedule,” she says.

In the classroom, Anne has found inspiration in faculty who bring real-world experience into their teaching. She notes that Professor Jessica Miles has been a particularly impactful mentor. “She had a long-term practice in family and domestic violence law and is writing the casebook on domestic violence now. Learning directly from her has been amazing.” Equally important has been the sense of community she has found among her peers, particularly through organizations like the Public Interest Law Students Organization and Older Wiser Law Students. For Anne, these connections reinforce a shared commitment to practical, community-centered lawyering.

Looking ahead, Anne hopes to build a career in reproductive justice, combining policy development with litigation to support individuals, physicians, and organizations working to ensure access to care. “I hope to become involved in litigation supporting efforts to provide safe and accessible reproductive healthcare,” she says. At the same time, she remains deeply committed to public interest work more broadly, including supporting survivors of domestic violence through organizations like the Pace Women’s Justice Center.

Reflecting on her journey, Anne offers simple but powerful advice: “You don’t need to wait 25 years to return to law school—but it’s never too late. And don’t shortcut the work. Read the cases, brief them, and build your understanding step by step.”

For Anne, the FLEX JD program has made it possible to pursue a long-held goal while continuing to balance the many roles that define her life. In doing so, she is not only building a new career, but expanding the ways she can make a lasting impact.

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For Joe Ruhl '90, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law was where a lifelong dream of becoming an attorney became reality. More than three decades later, his daughter, Sophie, is beginning her own legal journey at the very same institution.

Although their experiences are separated by 35 years, the values that first drew Joe to Haub Law continue to define the Law School today: a close-knit community, dedicated faculty, meaningful mentorship, and a commitment to preparing students for successful legal careers.

"To say I was proud would be an understatement," Joe said of Sophie's decision to attend his alma mater. "It's always an honor when your child decides to follow in your professional footsteps, but there's something incredibly special about them doing it at the exact same school you attended. It has also brought back a flood of wonderful memories from my own days at the Law School."

For Joe, the decision to attend law school was years in the making. "From as early as I can remember, I wanted to be an attorney," he recalled. "In my view, it was the noblest of professions—one requiring a unique blend of intellect, commitment, integrity, and grit."

A Westchester native, he was drawn to the Law School’s distinguished faculty, growing reputation, and strong alumni network. "As a Westchester native, the Law School felt like a natural fit from the start," he said. "What truly cemented my decision was the exceptional local alumni network. I looked up to several law school graduates as mentors, and seeing their success firsthand made it clear that the Law School was the perfect environment to ground my roots and launch my legal career."

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Joe's time at the Law School laid the foundation for a distinguished career that began in private legal practice before leading him into banking, where he now serves as Senior Executive Vice President, Regional President for Westchester County, and Chief Deposit Officer at Orange Bank & Trust Company. Along the way, he has remained deeply connected to his alma mater, serving on the Alumni Board and, in 2026, receiving the Distinguished Service Award at the Law School’s annual Leadership Awards Dinner in recognition of his professional accomplishments and enduring commitment to the Haub Law community.

His law school memories, however, are defined less by accolades than by the people who shaped his experience. "My law school experience was outstanding and unforgettable," he said. "Beyond the rigorous academics, I formed deep-seated relationships with my classmates, many of whom remain an integral part of my life today as close friends, confidants, and trusted advisors."

When it came to deciding where to study, my decision to choose Haub Law was deeply influenced by my father.

—Sophie Ruhl '27

Joe’s experience left a lasting impression on Sophie long before she submitted her own law school application. "When it came to deciding where to study, my decision to choose Haub Law was deeply influenced by my father," she said. "He has always spoken highly of the people he met during his own time there, and he constantly talks about how the community and the rigorous preparation shaped the professional he became. Seeing how much he values that foundation made me want that exact same experience."

So, when it came to choosing where to study, Haub Law was the clear choice for Sophie. “I knew I wanted an environment where I wouldn't just be a number in a lecture hall,” Sophie said. “The close-knit community here offered exactly that, a tight, supportive environment where I could build meaningful connections. The local alumni are also invested in mentoring students, which was a major factor in my decision to attend."

Now a rising third-year student, Sophie has fully immersed herself in the Law School's nationally recognized advocacy program. A member of the Law School's nationally recognized advocacy program, she has competed in various mock trial and appellate advocacy competitions. She currently serves as a Mock Trial Director on the 2026–2027 Law School Advocacy Honor Board, helping mentor fellow students while continuing to develop the courtroom and advocacy skills that first drew her to law school.

"Starting in January on the accelerated track was an intense introduction, it completely immersed me in the law," she said. "A major highlight of my time here has been my involvement in advocacy, specifically mock trial, where I've had the opportunity to serve as a director."

While much has changed since Joe graduated in 1990, both Joe and Sophie agree that the essence of the Haub Law experience has remained remarkably consistent.

"As I watch Sophie prepare for her mock trial competitions, I am reminded of my own early steps into the courtroom," Joe said. "The challenge of mastering a complex case, balancing the facts and the law from both sides, is as demanding as it is exhilarating."

For Sophie, those conversations have become one of the unexpected joys of attending the same law school as her father. "Throughout my experience at law school, I have utilized my father as a resource," she said. "During the steep learning curve of my first-year introductory courses, my father was a great resource to assist with the complexity of the legal concepts I was trying to grasp. During my second year, he was most helpful with helping me craft a schedule I feel confident in. Having him as a sounding board has been an incredible asset and I am immensely grateful."

Although they did not share the same professors, they have discovered a common language through advocacy. "While the professors and classes have changed, the core experience of Haub Law is exactly the same," Sophie said. "Hearing my father talk about the adrenaline rush of his first trials perfectly mirrors what I feel in mock trial right now. It's given us this incredible common ground, and his own stories of trial work have undoubtedly inspired some of my style and approach in the courtroom."

That continuity is part of what Joe appreciates most as he watches the next generation of Haub Law lawyers emerge. "It is incredible to witness how much the Law School has grown and evolved since I graduated in 1990," he said. "Whenever I meet Haub Law graduates, it serves as a powerful reminder of how fortunate I am to be part of such a prestigious and impactful alumni network."

Whenever I meet Haub Law graduates, it serves as a powerful reminder of how fortunate I am to be part of such a prestigious and impactful alumni network.

—Joe Ruhl '90

For both Joe and Sophie, Haub Law represents more than a shared alma mater. It is a place where one generation launched a distinguished legal career and another is just beginning.

When the unthinkable happened on the morning of September 11, 2001, members of the Pace Community rose to the occasion. Their courage demonstrated the very best of Pace—the service, selflessness, and strength in unity that set our community apart. Today, several families of those directly affected by the events of September 11 uphold their loved ones’ legacies by giving back to Pace—supporting the students who bring our University to life and the mission at the heart of everything we do.

The Marijo L. Russell O’Grady, PhD, Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund and the Lynne V. Byrne Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund were established to honor two former Pace administrators and fierce student advocates who helped lead Pace’s student-first response to the tragic events of September 11. Powered by the generosity of their families and friends, these scholarships honor the memories of Marijo and Lynne by supporting the community to which they devoted so much of their energy, wisdom, and compassion.

You can support the Marijo L. Russell O’Grady, PhD, Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund and the Lynne V. Byrne Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund by clicking the links below.

• Support the Marijo L. Russell O'Grady, PhD, Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Support the Lynne V. Byrne Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund