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Discovering a Passion for Psychology

Like many undergraduate students, Tinuade McClish ‘23 began her academic journey exploring different majors, but everything changed when she enrolled in a psychology of intimate relationships course on Pace University’s Pleasantville campus.

An engaging professor, the discussion-based format of the course, depth of inquiry, and real-world relevance of the material sparked something within her.

“That class made me change my major to psychology,” she said.

Research That Opens Doors

A second pivotal point for McClish came through Pace’s undergraduate research opportunities.

Under the mentorship of Associate Professor Courtney Gosnell, PhD, she participated in a research project (an extension of Gosnell’s existing research on this subject) examining the effects of political media in perceptions of cross-party political relationships, an especially timely topic.

It was through a combination of a mentored lab course and funded research through the Provost Office’s Undergraduate Research program that McClish gained hands-on experience in designing studies, analyzing data, and presenting findings.

“I learned so much about the research process, and that experience solidified that I wanted to pursue a PhD,” she said.

Mentorship That Makes the Difference

A culture of mentorship is a hallmark of the Psychology program, with faculty members deeply invested in student success—guiding research, offering career advice, and advocating for students as they take their next steps.

For McClish, support from faculty was especially transformative; her professors encouraged her ambitions, reviewed her personal statements, and reassured her that earning a PhD directly after her bachelor’s degree was within reach.

“I felt nothing but support from the Psychology department,” she said.

That encouragement gave her the confidence to apply broadly to doctoral programs—and ultimately enroll in the University of Connecticut’s Educational Psychology PhD program.

A Campus That Feels Like Home

When McClish first toured Pace University’s Pleasantville campus, she knew she had found the right place. Drawn to the beauty of the Hudson Valley and the welcoming, close-knit environment, she chose a campus that felt both academically inspiring and personal.

“I loved how campus-y it felt, but also that it wasn’t too big,” she recalled.

That sense of belonging would become a defining part of her experience—not just socially, but academically and professionally.

Building Community, Building Confidence

As a Pace student, McClish was also very active in campus life.

Whether as a resident assistant, Writing Center tutor, Student Government member, or member of Psi Chi, the international psychology honor society, each role strengthened her leadership skills and deepened her connection to the Pace community.

“I just felt like I had all these pillars of support wherever I went,” she reflected.

From Pace to a Purposeful Life

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Pace’s Psychology program, ranked in US News and World Report’s Best Colleges, provided McClish with more than learning theory.

Faculty mentorship, presentation experience, and research training prepared her not just to thrive in a demanding doctoral environment, but sparked interest in meaningful conversations on society, and a future career blending clinical practice and research with advocacy.

As McClish pursues her PhD, completing clinical placements in K–12 schools while conducting research and earning her master’s degree along the way, her goal is clear: to make education more accessible and support students’ social, emotional, and learning needs.

Passing on the Torch

When asked what her advice for current and prospective Pace undergraduate students may be, McClish encourages them to connect with faculty, explore research opportunities, and fully engage with the department’s offerings.

She said, “Don’t compromise on your goals. If you find a passion for something, don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done.”

For those considering a degree in Psychology, her journey offers a powerful example of what’s possible. At Pace, students don’t just earn a degree—they gain the skills, mentorship, and confidence to pursue their highest ambitions.

On Thursday, February 5, 2026, student scholars of the Land Use Law Center (LULC) at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University hosted a faculty and student showcase highlighting years of research and collaboration on Climate Resilient Development. The event underscored the vital role that Pace Haub Law students play in advancing innovative legal strategies to help communities respond to the growing challenges of climate change.

The evening opened with remarks and a keynote presentation by Maureen Hartwell, a recent Pace Haub Law alum whose work has been closely intertwined with the Center’s climate resilience initiatives. Hartwell traced the evolution of the Land Use Law Center’s efforts to develop a comprehensive Climate Resilient Development Framework—an ambitious project designed to equip local governments with practical, legally grounded tools to address climate mitigation and adaptation.

At the heart of the initiative is a “Framework Law,” a one-stop resource that compiles leading case studies and model approaches. The document highlights local legal strategies, including supplemental zoning codes and special plans, organized around twelve core mitigation and adaptation topics. These range from disaster mitigation and sea level rise to distributed energy and other forward-looking resilience measures. By synthesizing years of research into an accessible, practice-oriented guide, the Framework aims to bridge the gap between climate science, community planning, and municipal law.

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Following the keynote, Hartwell moderated a panel featuring Land Use Law Center scholars and 3L students Emily Petermann, Cassidy Yelincic, Alexandra Phillips, Evi Patterson, and Madison Bishop. The panelists offered insight into their research contributions to the Framework and reflected on the challenges and opportunities inherent in crafting legal tools responsive to diverse local contexts.

The discussion highlighted case studies addressing both adaptation and mitigation strategies, including approaches to sea level rise and land use planning in vulnerable communities. Panelists also explored how municipalities can deploy the Framework to strengthen resilience, as well as how the tools they studied might be applied in their own home communities. The conversation demonstrated not only the depth of the students’ doctrinal research but also their growing capacity to think strategically about implementation, equity, and long-term sustainability.

A lively Q&A session followed, with faculty and students engaging the panelists on practical applications of the Framework and the evolving role of land use law in the climate era. The event concluded with an interactive activity, led by Michael Reilly (2L student), in which small groups worked directly with the Framework to identify climate risks and the corresponding legal tools embedded in the case studies

The showcase reflected the Land Use Law Center’s longstanding commitment to training the next generation of land use and environmental lawyers through hands-on, policy-driven scholarship. By contributing to the Climate Resilient Development Framework, student scholars are not only deepening their legal expertise but also helping shape a body of work that communities can use to confront climate risks with concrete, locally grounded solutions.