The Westchester County Association (WCA), in partnership with Pace Energy and Climate Center, is proud to announce the launch of the Clean Energy Program Portal. This dynamic, searchable guide acts as a clearinghouse that enables businesses to easily find clean energy programs and incentives available in Westchester County and the surrounding region.
From reduced waste to decreased costs and increased productivity, it’s clear why making the shift to clean energy can offer major advantages. Businesses receive the added benefit of improving their overall brand image by “going green,” all while promoting a healthier and safer workplace for their employees. However, this process can be difficult to navigate through which can quickly discourage many businesses from making a transition. With the launch of the Clean Energy Program Portal, businesses can now easily access the range of programs and resources available for a smooth transition. Businesses and their buildings now have a blueprint to help reduce their carbon footprint. Organization leaders and executives can also learn about eco-friendly incentives and rebates to make these project costs more economical.
“Clean energy and sustainability are our future. Throughout our extensive research and focus groups, we heard the roadblocks many were encountering on the path to sustainability and knew there could be a better way,” said Michael N. Romita, President & CEO, Westchester County Association. “If a company wants to go green, it should be a manageable process. Our goal with this information portal is to do just that as well as encourage more businesses to make steps toward clean energy.”
Partner on the project, Craig Hart, Executive Director of the Pace Energy and Climate Center, said, “Helping businesses to decarbonize is essential to reaching sustainability goals. Working together with the WCA, our aim is to make the Clean Energy Program Portal the go-to resource for businesses in our own community to identify the support available to green their products and services.”
The benefits of the portal are already being seen by local businesses in Westchester. “As a small business owner interested in implementing energy efficient office building renovations, I spent a lot of time researching several different websites but could not locate the right opportunities for our office space. Some incentives I located were better suited for larger buildings and others required substantial capital improvement budgets. I knew incentives for small businesses were out there, yet I became discouraged when I couldn’t find what I was looking for,” said Donna Hager, CEO and President of Macan Deve. “After visiting the Clean Energy Program Portal, I learned exactly what our business is eligible for, in a short amount of time. The Portal really is a one-stop-shop that saves business owners time, which can be better spent at running our businesses.”
Energy and sustainability is one of the WCA’s newest areas of focus and one of the main pillars of the Post Pandemic Working Group (PDF) report published in September of 2020. Within the report, the WCA outlines and advocates for recommended policies and transitional incentives to help businesses in the region bridge the gap between traditional energy sources and a carbon free economy.
“We commend the WCA for taking a leadership role in promoting a pro- business, clean energy future for Westchester,” said Ken Theobalds, Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Entergy.
The WCA is also proud to be participating in another initiative with Sustainable Westchester to launch a new online tool Westchester GeoPossibilities. This tool enables Westchester County property owners to simply assess the feasibility of geothermal ground source energy for every lot in the county. The free tool comes at a crucial time, amid Con Edison’s natural gas constrained areas in the county and amid a pressing need nationally to reduce carbon emissions by increasing green infrastructure. On July 22, 2021, Sustainable Westchester, the Westchester County Association, and NYSERDA will co-host a virtual event to raise awareness of this new green energy opportunity.
As an industry leader dedicated to providing sustainable energy to the communities they serve, Con Edison’s Director of Westchester Regional Community Affairs, Jane Solnick said, “Con Edison is committed to leading the transition to the clean energy future. We are pleased to support the efforts of the Clean Energy Program Portal. This portal will help customers improve their energy efficiency, identify incentives, and adopt clean energy alternatives that will help them reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs.”
More and more, organizations focused on long-term success are embracing the critical concepts of sustainability management. Earlier this year, the WCA partnered with Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business to provide an online course in organizational sustainability for working professionals. Additionally, Michael Romita recently taught a Continuing Legal Education course on the topic of “Biden Administration Clean Energy Agenda: Tackling Climate Change and What Does it Mean to New York Business?” with Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law on June 22.
View the Clean Energy Program Portal*
*Please Note: The design and funding of each program is subject to change.
Join the WCA to be a key part of developing innovative solutions to our region’s most pressing challenges. Visit the WCA Membership page for more information. To become a member, contact Julia Emrick, Managing Director, Operations & Events, at (914) 948-5689 or info@westchester.org.
The Westchester County Association is the preeminent professional leadership organization serving Westchester County and the region. The Association is committed to Smart Growth, economic vitality, and to providing a strong and clear voice for the collaborative interests of business and nonprofits. Its key objectives are to promote positive economic development in the region, foster business development, and provide its members with access to key public and private sector individuals, agencies, and organizations. See Westchester County Association for more information.
Pace Energy and Climate Center is a project of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. More than a think tank, the Pace Energy and Climate Center turns ideas into action. We believe thoughtful engagement of government and key stakeholders leads to better public policy. We conduct research and analysis on legal, regulatory and policy matters because thorough, objective analyses are essential to finding solutions to today’s complex energy and climate change challenges. We are lawyers, economists, scientists, and energy analysts, committed to achieving real-world progress. For more information, visit the Pace Energy and Climate Center or contact pecc@law.pace.edu
Back by popular demand, Pace faculty are inviting new and continuing students to a virtual lecture series—featuring topics like technology, language and culture, criminal justice, and so much more.
Back by popular demand, Pace faculty are inviting new and continuing students to a virtual lecture series—featuring topics like technology, language and culture, criminal justice, and so much more. These events are free and open to the Pace Community.
Wednesday, July 28 | 1:00 p.m. ET
Meeting ID: 964 9508 0912
Password: 273372
Professor Ying Wang, PhD, hosts an information session about the importance of taking a foreign language during college and how language skills can open doors to professional opportunities after graduation. This session will also cover the language requirements for Pace students and teach you how to succeed in language courses at Pace.
Thursday, July 29 | 1:00 p.m. ET
Meeting ID: 985 5265 6285
Password: 250164
How will technology affect the way we live, learn, communicate, and work in the future? What will life look like in 2050 when today’s students are mid- career? What skillsets will be most important for future careers? This interactive session hosted by Professor Brian Evans, EdD, will allow you to stretch your imagination and consider how current trends could affect your future.
Friday, July 30 | 1:00 p.m. ET
Meeting ID: 216 205 3416
Password: 336243
Everyone shops online nowadays, but how do we know if our online transactions are really secure? What if someone intercepts your credit card number or other personal information? Professor Shamita Dutta Gupta, PhD, gives you a behind-the-scenes look at makes our online transactions safe and how to protect yourself from identity theft.
Wednesday, August 4 | 1:00 p.m. ET
Meeting ID: 939 3043 0547
Password: 922041
Are you thinking about majoring in political science? Join Professor Amy Freedman, PhD, for a meet and greet with faculty and students from the political science departments on Pace’s NYC and Pleasantville campuses. Learn more about course offerings, Pace Model UN, student orgs on campus, and research and internship opportunities in the field.
Thursday, August 5 | 12:00 p.m. ET
Meeting ID: 966 6479 1013
Password: 526382
Biology, chemistry, physical science. If you’re planning on majoring in one of Pace’s science programs, you’ll want to join professors Zafir Buraei, PhD, and Rita Upmacis, PhD, for this special meet and greet with students and faculty from Pace’s NYC Campus. Learn about various programs and opportunities, faculty and facilities, and more. You’ll also get to hear about what our students are doing after graduation in fields like medicine, research, and government.
Tuesday, August 10 | 12:00 p.m. ET
Meeting ID: 925 3354 8002
Password: 876557
If you’re planning to study criminal justice, your education will go far beyond the four walls of a classroom. Join Professor Kimberly Collica-Cox, PhD, to learn about all of the exciting opportunities available to students in Pace’s criminal justice program. Learn about our Criminal Justice Club, the honor society, course offerings, and internship opportunities. Plus, you’ll also get to hear about our jail-based services and opportunities to work with the incarcerated.
Thursday, August 12 | 1:00 p.m. ET
Meeting ID: 985 7654 5317
Password: games101
Interested in video games development? Professor Carmine Guida will “speed run” making a simple platformer style game in the Unity game engine and explain the basics as he goes along. Check out this fun demo and learn about the game development courses and student clubs that are available at Pace.
All events will be hosted on Zoom. Please use the meeting ID and password to attend. See you then!
The Department of Criminal Justice and Security and Westchester Department of Correction (WCDOC) joined together to complete a virtual course offering on Crime and Public Policy within the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program, in which Pace students learned in conjunction with incarcerated students.
Singer. Model. Medical assistant. There’s no end to what Brian Powell ’21 can accomplish as a health science major on the pre-physician assistant track who creates art in his spare time. To top it off, he also wrote a research paper on racial patient bias in healthcare.
Though disrupted by the global pandemic, the students of PaceDocs got to explore the future of filmmaking through their most recent documentary, Bee Aware.
"This is, in effect, a chance for the attorney general to learn what the governor has to say, he may give answers that are ambiguous, he may suggest that he doesn't have a recollection of something," says Pace University law professor Bennett Gershman. Saturday's deposition is under oath. "If he lies, he can be charged with perjury," Gershman says.
Dyson Professor Darrin Porcher discusses how the mayor’s policies have put New York City businesses on edge.
Pace University is hosting a virtual Gencyber CryptoBot camp to educate high schoolers interested in cybersecurity. The students are attending the two-week summer camp from all over the world. Co-sponsors include the National Security Agency and the National Science Foundation. Pace University's Dr. Pauline Mosley says while the camp is informational, it's also a place to help students de-stress given the past year.
Pace University has appointed Marcus C. Tye, PhD, as dean of its College of Health Professions. The appointment is effective July 1, 2021. Tye, a licensed clinical psychologist, comes to Pace having served as dean of the School of Health Sciences and interim dean of the School of Education at the College of Staten Island, City University of New York (CUNY).
NEW YORK & PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. (July 20, 2021) – Pace University has appointed Marcus C. Tye, PhD, as dean of its College of Health Professions. The appointment is effective July 1, 2021.
Tye, a licensed clinical psychologist, comes to Pace having served as dean of the School of Health Sciences and interim dean of the School of Education at the College of Staten Island, City University of New York (CUNY). He succeeds Dr. Harriet R. Feldman, who served as a professor at the Lienhard School of Nursing and as dean for the College of Health Professions for 28 years.
“Marcus C. Tye comes to Pace University with a wealth of experience as a clinician and an academic leader who will serve our students well as they prepare for rewarding, in-demand careers in the health professions and health sciences,” said President Marvin Krislov. “We welcome him to the University, and I look forward to working with him as we continue to grow our College of Health Professions. We also salute Dean Feldman for her impressive tenure building CHP.”
The appointment comes at an exciting time for Pace University, as it is in the process of transforming Lienhard Hall, home to its College of Health Professions on the Pleasantville campus, into a modernized Healthcare Hub and adding important programming for students preparing for careers in the region’s burgeoning healthcare and biotechnology sector. Additionally, Pace was recently awarded a $2 million federal grant to increase opportunities and retention for historically underrepresented minorities in the field of nursing.
“Dean Tye's career and expertise align well with the vision, goals, and mission of Pace University, and our aim to educate our student body for current and future healthcare challenges," Provost Vanya Quiñones. "We welcome Dean Tye to Pace and are excited that he will bring the necessary know-how to prepare our students as successful healthcare professionals. We also would like to express our appreciation to Dean Emerita Harriet R. Feldman, who is retiring from the deanship after 28 years of service. We thank her for her long and successful leadership of the College of Health Professions and her strong commitment to the University.”
Prior to Tye’s positions within CUNY, he served as regional lead of a master’s in counseling psychology program at National University in Fresno, California, and held earlier positions at private and public institutions. In those previous roles, his leadership focused on student success and program development.
A prolific author, he has written a comprehensive survey textbook on gender and sexuality rooted in the biopsychosocial model with an emphasis on cultural diversity. He has lived and worked in Europe, Asia, Micronesia, and North America, and cultural diversity forms a core part of his professional writing and work.
Tye has also provided psychological services in assisted living facilities, inpatient rehab, and long-term psychotherapy, as well as consulting in criminal and civil cases.
Tye holds a PhD and master’s degree in Psychology from the University of North Dakota and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Princeton University with additional undergraduate study at St. Anne’s College, Oxford University. He currently serves on the board of Princeton’s LGBTQIA+ alumni association.
“It's a privilege to join the College of Health Professions and work to create new programs to complement the already strong roster of program offerings,” Tye said. “I believe Pace is uniquely positioned with medical center affiliations throughout Westchester and NYC to develop new programs in genetic counseling and precision medicine, public health and other fields in the health sciences, and to further diversity and inclusion in interprofessional education with cultural competence and LGBTQIA+ populations. From my first teaching position in 1997, I have worked at universities and colleges that have focused on first-generation students, so I am proud to work for this University that leads the country in social mobility among private universities."
Pace University has a proud history of preparing its diverse student body for a lifetime of professional success as a result of its unique program that combines rigorous academics and real-world experiences. Pace is ranked the #1 private, four-year college in the nation for upward economic mobility by Harvard University’s Opportunity Insights, evidence of the transformative education the University provides. From its beginnings as an accounting school in 1906, Pace has grown to three campuses, enrolling 13,000 students in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in more than 150 majors and programs, across a range of disciplines: arts, sciences, business, health care, technology, law, education, and more. The university also has one of the most competitive performing arts programs in the country. Pace has a signature, newly renovated campus in New York City, located in the heart of vibrant Lower Manhattan, next to Wall Street and City Hall, and two campuses in Westchester County, New York: a 200-acre picturesque Pleasantville Campus and the Elisabeth Haub School of Law in White Plains. Follow us on Twitter or on the Pace News website.
Established in 2010, the College of Health Professions at Pace University offers a broad range of programs at the bachelor, master, and doctoral levels. It is the College’s goal to create innovative and complex programs that reflect the changing landscape of the health care system. These programs are designed to prepare graduates for impactful careers in health care practice, health-related research, or as educators, and equip graduates to work in health policy and global health fields. Students in clinical programs receive hands-on training in the College’s interprofessional Center for Excellence in Healthcare Simulation and have the opportunity to apply their developing skills in real-world settings at many of the regions' leading clinical facilities. The College is currently comprised of several growing and important areas of study, which include the Lienhard School of Nursing with Nursing programs from undergraduate through doctorate, Physician Assistant, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, and Health Science. Our vision is to be recognized for our innovative leadership in education, practice, scholarship, and service to improve health and the health professions. Our mission is to educate and challenge diverse students for the health professions to be leaders, innovators and lifelong learners who will positively impact local, national, and global health. For more information, please visit the College of Health Professions website.