Agreement offers seamless academic transition for students

NEW YORK and PLEASANTVILLE, NY (Dec. 18, 2020) – Bard Early College (BEC), a division of Bard College that offers tuition-free college credits to high school students at its network of schools throughout New York City, Newark, Baltimore, Cleveland, New Orleans and Washington D.C., has signed a new joint admission agreement with Pace University, allowing students who earn an associate’s degree through Bard Early College to matriculate into Pace with junior standing.

Leaders from Pace and BEC made the announcement on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 during a virtual meeting of the two schools – and it also comes after similar agreements have been signed between Pace and community colleges in Westchester, Rockland and Suffolk counties.

As part of the agreement, BEC students who graduate with college credits and earn an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 will be guaranteed acceptance to Pace University. Students graduating from BEC will have their lower level general education/core requirements waived if they transfer to Pace.

For the transfer students, a maximum of 68 credits will be applied toward the completion of the relevant Pace Bachelor’s degree programs. Additionally, Pace is establishing the Pace University-Bard Early College Scholarship, which offers up to $25,000 to eligible transfer students who graduate with a GPA of 3.2 or higher on either Pace University campus in Westchester or New York City.

“Students in the Bard Early College program are some of the most ambitious students in the country, eager to start their college education before they’ve completed their high school diplomas,” said Pace President Marvin Krislov. “We’re very pleased to provide them an opportunity to continue their students and earn a four-year degree at Pace, and we know they’ll make invaluable contributions to our community.”​

During the virtual meeting of the schools, President Krislov praised BEC and its students, many of whom are historically first-generation college students. He said he was impressed with the fact that 75 percent of last year’s class completed high school with an associate’s degree and 60 or more college credits, and said this agreement with BEC fits squarely with Pace’s mission of Opportunitas, or creating opportunities, and its long tradition of providing access to a college education for ambitious, hard-working students.

Additionally, at Pace, President Krislov said prospective students have more than 150 majors and programs to choose from; opportunities to get involved in over 100 student clubs and organizations; a choice of two campuses – one in lower Manhattan and another in Pleasantville – and can enjoy what campus life has to offer.

“This agreement fits squarely with our mission,” Krislov said. “We’re proud to offer this pathway to a bachelor’s degree for these young associate graduates.”

Bard College President Leon Botstein spoke of the high caliber of students at BEC, and said Pace University’s partnership showed that the program is working. Agreements like this one should be more universally embraced as they show respect for students’ hard work, time, energy and resources, he noted.

“These are very motivated students with a tremendous sense of purpose and a good track record,” President Botstein said. “Pace’s cooperation vindicates what we are trying to do at Bard, and the recognition is very important to us … We are totally thrilled this has come to pass.”

Dr. Dumaine Williams, Vice President and Dean of the Early College said: "The Dual Admissions Agreement, with the prestigious Pace University - Bard Early College Scholarship, is a clear, tangible and powerful articulation of the institutions' shared commitment to expanding opportunities for students to access, afford and succeed in college.”

Bard students committing to Pace will have access to academic counselors to maximize course offerings and to ensure a smooth transfer process. Transfer students will also be able to tap into thousands of internship and career placement opportunities offered through Pace’s Department of Career Services. Historically, Pace has some of the strongest job placement outcomes among undergraduate and graduate students. It’s one of the many reasons that Pace is ranked number one in upward economic mobility among four-year private universities according to a study conducted by Harvard University’s Opportunity Insights.

BEC provides essential access to a serious college course of study to a diverse group of young people. These satellite campuses of Bard College are operated through partnerships with public school systems – tuition free -- and empower high school students, particularly those at risk of not completing postsecondary education, to access, afford, and complete college so that they are prepared to contribute to civic life and a range of professional pathways. BEC simultaneously works to influence and lead a growing early college movement focused on equity and excellence.

“This agreement with Bard Early College not only provides students with opportunities to pursue higher education and to reach their potential, but it also creates a clear pathway for a person to achieve their goals and transform their life now and for years to come,” said Pace Provost Vanya Quiñones. “This agreement aligns with both of our school’s missions and we are eager to be partnering with BEC to make it a reality.”

About Pace University

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 a Law School in White Plains. Follow us on Twitter or on our news website.

Agreement offers seamless academic transition for students

NEW YORK and PLEASANTVILLE, NY (December 14, 2020) – Suffolk County Community Collegeand Pace University have signed a new joint admission agreement, allowing students who complete their studies at SUNY Suffolk to matriculate into Pace with junior standing.

Presidents, provosts and administrators from Pace and SUNY Suffolk made the announcement on Monday, December 14, 2020 during a virtual meeting of the two schools.

As part of the agreement, SUNY Suffolk students who graduate from more than 30 programs with an Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.) or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and a minimum grade point average of 2.5 will be guaranteed acceptance to Pace University. Students graduating from SUNY Suffolk will have their lower level general education/core requirements waived if they transfer to Pace.

For the transfer students, a maximum of 68 credits will be applied toward the completion of the relevant Pace Bachelor’s degree programs. Additionally, Pace will offer scholarships of up to $25,000 to eligible transfer students who graduate with a GPA of 3.2 or higher on either Pace University campus in Westchester or New York City. The schools are also part of The New York State Presidential Transfer Scholarship program, which offers full scholarships to eligible students.

“We are excited to join with SUNY Suffolk to provide the opportunity for their students to pursue dual admission and start on a path to a four-year degree,” said Pace President Marvin Krislov. “This agreement builds on and strengthens our longstanding partnership with Suffolk, and we’re looking forward to welcoming their hard-working, ambitious graduates to Pace.”

During the virtual meeting of the schools, President Krislov noted that SUNY Suffolk graduates have more than 150 majors and programs to choose from at Pace; opportunities to get involved in over 100 student clubs and organizations; a choice of two campuses – one in lower Manhattan and another in Pleasantville – and can enjoy what campus life has to offer.

“Suffolk County Community College is about creating opportunities for its students. With this important Joint Admissions Program, Suffolk students will be guaranteed admission to Pace University upon meeting the qualifications,” said Suffolk County Community College Interim President Louis J. Petrizzo. “This initiative is about providing Suffolk students with all the possibilities an outstanding University has to offer and we could not be more pleased that Pace University has agreed to allow our students this opportunity.”

SUNY Suffolk students committing to Pace will be able to maximize course offerings and ensure a smooth transfer process. Transfer students will also be able to tap into thousands of internship and career placement opportunities offered through Pace’s Department of Career Services. Historically, Pace has some of the strongest job placement outcomes among undergraduate and graduate students. It’s one of the many reasons that Pace is ranked number one in upward economic mobility among four-year private universities according to a study conducted by Harvard University’s Opportunity Insights.

With approximately 25,000 students, Suffolk County Community College is the largest community college in the SUNY (State University of New York) system. It has three campuses – in Selden, Brentwood and Riverhead -- and offers more than 100 degree and certificate options.

For Pace junior Reynaldo Dallas, who graduated from SUNY Suffolk with a 3.9 GPA, the transition to Pace University has been smooth. In his remarks during the meeting, Dallas, a recipient of the New York State Presidential Scholarship, thanked professors and administrators at both schools for being supportive, encouraging and creating a path for his academic success.

“I’m beyond grateful for having this opportunity,” he said. “All of my credits transferred and the process has been seamless.”

“Providing students with opportunities to pursue higher education, reach their potential and achieve their goals are guiding principles at Pace,” said Pace Provost Vanya Quiñones. “This agreement with SUNY Suffolk will be a transformative experience for students and creates a clear pathway for success. We’re eager to be partnering with our Long Island colleagues to make this agreement a reality.”

Dr. Paul M. Beaudin, vice president academic and student affairs, said: “Suffolk provides opportunities for every student, for those who are seeking immediate training to enter the workforce, for those who seek to get a degree which will lead to a career, and for those who are seeking to complete their degree and then to transfer to the best local and national colleges for the baccalaureate degree. Our new joint admissions agreement with Pace University is an affirmation of Pace’s positive view of the quality of our degree and creates a pathway to a premier institution that provides students with amazing formal and informal learning experiences. We want to partner with such institutions for the benefit of our students.”

About Pace University

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 a Law School in White Plains. Follow us on Twitter or on our news website.

About SUNY Suffolk Community College

Suffolk County Community College is the State University of New York’s (SUNY) largest community college, enrolling more than 25,000 for-credit students and over 10,000 non-credit students. The College offers more than 100 degree and certificate program options.

Prolific writer. Accomplished actor and filmmaker. Emmy-award winner.

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It’s hard to summarize Neil Garguilo’s work in any neat and organized way, but such is often the case with creative genius. Today, he is best known for using humor to call out systemic inequality and stereotypes in entertainment.

A showrunner for the TV series MOCKpocalpyse, founding member of the improv comedy group Dr. God (behind the 2015 horror-comedy Bloodsucking Bastards), Garguilo is also co-creator, showrunner, and star of the Syfy series Hell Den, a dystopian social satire which combines original animation with old, live-action and re-dubbed clips, and provides the audience with an opportunity to directly consider how messages that foster prejudice can live on through generations.

One of his proudest accomplishments is his Funny or Die series, Brainwashed by Toons. For this, he co-wrote songs about the normalization of bigotry and sexism over the past century, resulting in a 2020 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Original Song and a nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Special Class Series.

For Garguilo, the work is personal.

“I am of Puerto Rican and Italian descent, and in my life, I’ve been in rooms where people didn’t realize my Hispanic background, and they’ve said some very ignorant stuff that comes from a very bad place,” Garguilo said.

Originally from central New Jersey, Garguilo knew from a very young age that he wanted to work in entertainment. As a young boy, he was obsessed with SNL and Comedy Central, but didn’t really know the specific path to follow, so—like a true student of the liberal arts—he immersed himself in everything he could.

The first on his father’s side of the family to go to college, and second-generation on his mother’s, Garguilo’s undergraduate years were formative.

“[College] molded me most by providing a better understanding of what I can achieve,” Garguilo said.

As a student at Pace, he performed standup as a side gig at the New York Comedy Club, and, in 2003, discovered the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, an alternative comedy troupe in New York City that incubated the talent of many of today’s well-known stars, including those made famous on SNL. It was here that he fell in love with improv, and has been performing in this genre, as well as sketch comedy, in the Los Angeles comedy scene for more than fifteen years.

When asked if he has any future projects up his sleeve, Garguilo, of course, said “tons.”

“If you’re a show creator or feature film writer, you need to constantly be developing. Between feature film, scripted television, and alternative television, I currently have thirteen shows pitching and dozens on my development slate,” Garguilo said. “There are a few exciting things coming up in 2021, but I’ll be assassinated if I speak about them publicly, and being assassinated really puts the brakes on development!”

What is certain, is that one of Garguilo’s goals as he moves forward in his work is to continue his efforts to normalize new messages that serve to tear down stereotypes and promote diversity and equity.

In offering advice for students, he said, “Take advantage of your internships. Also, take an improv class!”