Innovation, storytelling, and immersive technology took center stage at Pace University this spring as the NYC Design Factory at the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems hosted its annual Project Gala. Through interactive installations, projection-based storytelling, future-focused infrastructure concepts, and digital exhibits, students explored New York City’s hidden histories, environmental futures, and evolving social landscapes.

The NYC Design Factory serves as a collaborative hub where students, faculty, and industry professionals come together to address challenges in both industry and society through activities and courses. It is a member of the Design Factory Global Network, a global community of innovation hubs located in universities and research centers dedicated to fostering the next generation of innovators. The program is centered around a problem-solving approach that is technology-centered, design-inspired, and human-focused.

These projects demonstrate what becomes possible when students engage with technologies emerging from advanced scientific research and apply them to societal and environmental challenges.

This year’s gala reflected those values through projects developed within the NYC Design Factory and the Human Centered Design MS program, where students explored climate resilience, urban infrastructure, public memory, environmental justice, and civic participation through the lens of New York City’s islands and urban systems, demonstrating how design and technology can help us better understand and reimagine the world around us.

“These projects demonstrate what becomes possible when students engage with technologies emerging from advanced scientific research and apply them to societal and environmental challenges,” said Andreea Cotoranu, director of the NYC Design Factory and clinical professor at Seidenberg. “The teams went far beyond designing individual interfaces or interactions; they envisioned systemic, future-facing concepts connecting technology with the needs of cities, communities, and society at large.”

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Many of the featured projects reimagined New York City’s islands as immersive educational experiences. Staten Island transformed the borough’s environmental and industrial history into an interactive projection experience, while The Evolution of Use: Randall’s Island allowed visitors to explore the changing uses of the island through a tactile timeline interface. Sustainability and Urban Planning on Roosevelt Island examined environmentally conscious urban design through an interactive digital map, and Jamaica Bay Islands Projection immersed visitors in the wetlands ecosystem through projection-based storytelling centered on migratory wildlife and conservation.

The Design Factory experience challenges students to think beyond the product itself and consider the people and systems their ideas will impact

Additional installations explored the city’s cultural memory and overlooked spaces. Rockaway – Living on the Edge blended floor projections, wave simulations, and archival storytelling to create an immersive experience of Rockaway’s coastline and identity. Wood • Water • Work recreated City Island’s shipbuilding history through a digital museum environment inspired by the craftsmanship and labor of historic shipyards. Meanwhile, Hart Island examined the island’s long history of institutionalization and exclusion through archival imagery and spatial storytelling.

Several projects also focused on civic systems and environmental justice. Brooklyn CB 6 as an Island transformed community-board boundaries into an interactive map examining environmental inequities and neighborhood identity, while Communities on the Line invited visitors to engage with public discourse surrounding homelessness and shelter placement through an immersive telephone-based audio installation.

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“The Design Factory experience challenges students to think beyond the product itself and consider the people and systems their ideas will impact,” said Jonathan Williams, D. Des., clinical assistant professor at Seidenberg. “These final projects reflect what can happen when design-led approaches are used to address real-world challenges.”

The gala also featured future-focused infrastructure concepts aimed at addressing future urban challenges. StreetCharge proposed streets capable of wirelessly charging electric vehicles while integrating renewable energy and green infrastructure into the urban landscape. MTA Sub-Zero-Way tackled rising subway temperatures with an underground cooling system designed to improve rider comfort and safety, while Aeropod – Localized Construction Air Control introduced a filtration system intended to reduce airborne pollutants generated by dense urban construction activity.

Other projects expanded the experience beyond the physical exhibition space. NYCIslands.com transformed extensive research about New York City’s 42 islands into an interactive public-facing digital archive featuring maps, educational resources, and community storytelling.

The event also highlighted international collaboration and systems-focused product development through Prinsys Early Leakage Detection, created in partnership with Finnish startup Prinsys and Aalto University. The project explored how proactive infrastructure systems can help property managers detect and respond to water leaks before damage escalates. Combining battery-free sensors, cloud-based monitoring, and a user-centered mobile application, the project demonstrated how thoughtful design can make complex building infrastructure more visible, actionable, and efficient for both residential and commercial spaces.

Together, the projects showcased how immersive technology, systems thinking, and human-centered design can reshape how people engage with history, infrastructure, and the future of urban life.

View the project booklet

The release follows a successful premiere at Jacob Burns Film Center that brought together PaceDocs alumni, students, and faculty

Documentary celebrates the program’s legacy of connection and storytelling

Pace University’s award-winning documentary film team, PaceDocs, today released its latest film, Stories Come Together. It follows a successful premiere at the Jacob Burns Film Center, which last week brought together students, alumni, faculty, and supporters to celebrate the lasting impact of the University’s documentary filmmaking program.

Through interviews with more than 30 alumni and faculty members, the documentary captures the legacy of connection, storytelling, and mentorship that has defined the Producing the Documentary course for more than two decades.

Stories Come Together is now available on the PaceDocs YouTube channel.

The premiere also served as a celebration of Professor Emeritus Maria Luskay, EdD, whose leadership helped shape the PaceDocs program for more than two decades.

“One of the most rewarding parts of this course has always been watching students discover their voices as storytellers,” said Luskay, professor emeritus of the Producing the Documentary course and past director of the graduate program in Communications and Digital Media. “Seeing Lou carry on my legacy through Stories Come Together is incredibly special.”

As part of the production process, the 2026 PaceDocs team traveled throughout the Northeast during spring break, conducting interviews with key figures including Dr. Luskay and Andy Revkin, an environmental journalist, musician, former New York Times writer, and former Pace University professor who co-instructed the course. From managing equipment and coordinating travel logistics to logging footage and shaping the film under a tight deadline, students experienced the full scope of documentary production.

The premiere featured a post-screening Q&A session with the filmmakers and alumni featured in the documentary, many of whom reflected on the lasting influence of the course both personally and professionally.

“Working on this documentary allowed us to build meaningful connections both with the people we interviewed and with each other as a team,” said Sarah Montimaire ’26, a digital cinema and filmmaking major from Brooklyn, New York. “By the end of the semester, we really had become a family, and that sense of connection is reflected throughout the film.”

The premiere also welcomed many PaceDocs alumni featured in the film, several of whom reflected on how the course helped shape their careers in film, media, and storytelling.

“Producing the Documentary was the class that truly prepared me for my career,” said Joseph Gonzalez ’19, who worked on documentaries filmed in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii while at Pace. “The hands-on experience and collaborative environment had a lasting impact on me, and I cannot imagine where I would be today without it.”

Over its 24-year history, PaceDocs has produced 23 documentaries across 14 countries, earning more than 30 awards. Stories Come Together continues this proud tradition of producing high-quality, meaningful, and award-winning films.

“Producing the Documentary taught me about the chaos of production, and the power of a team. And most importantly, it taught me about how telling stories can connect us,” said Lou Guarneri, clinical associate professor of media and communication arts in Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and head of the Producing the Documentary course. “My students and I hope that our film paints a picture of the beautiful chaos that is Producing the Documentary. A look into everything from script to screen, how Stories Come Together.”

In recent years, Pace filmmakers have created documentaries around the globe, exploring topics such as the musical traditions of the Azores and the cultural legacy of the Viola da Terra (Viola da Terra: Harmony of the Azores, 2025), the craft of barrel making in Spain (The Cooper, 2024), which received multiple international awards; the farm-to-table food movement in France (2023); how oysters depend on the ebb and flow of tides (2022); the importance of bees as pollinators in our food supply (2021); the eruption of Kīlauea in Hawaii (2019); the endurance of the people of Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria (2018); Cuba at a cultural crossroads (2016); reviving Curacao’s coral reefs (2015); as well as many other poignant films.

“For 24 years, Producing the Documentary has given students the opportunity to immerse themselves in every aspect of the filmmaking process while telling meaningful stories around the world,” said Tresmaine R. Grimes, PhD, dean of Dyson College of Arts and Sciences. “Stories Come Together celebrates the connection, legacy, and storytelling that have defined PaceDocs and shaped generations of students and alumni.”

About Pace University

Founded in 1906 and celebrating 120 years of preparing students for success in 2026, Pace University pairs real-life learning with strong academics to launch meaningful careers. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, Pace serves 13,600 students across a range of bachelor, master, and doctoral programs through the College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, Sands College of Performing Arts, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

About Dyson College of Arts and Sciences

Pace University’s liberal arts college, Dyson College, offers more than 50 programs, spanning the arts and humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and pre-professional programs (including pre-medicine, pre-veterinary, and pre-law), as well as many courses that fulfill core curriculum requirements. The College offers access to numerous opportunities for internships, cooperative education and other hands-on learning experiences that complement in-class learning in preparing graduates for career and graduate/professional education choices.

As we prepare for the 2026–2027 academic year, Pace University’s Financial Aid Office is sharing several important reminders for students at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, including academic progress policies, upcoming federal aid changes, and graduation requirements. As a reminder, students should continue checking their Pace email regularly for important updates and notifications.

Understanding Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

To remain eligible for federal and institutional financial aid, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), which includes both QPA and course completion requirements.

Pace reviews SAP at the end of each spring semester. Students who are not meeting SAP standards may be at risk of losing financial aid beginning in Summer 2026, including merit scholarships, Federal Direct Loans, and other aid programs.

Students who may need to improve their QPA are encouraged to consider Summer 2026 coursework at Pace University. Please note that summer courses must be taken at Pace in order to count toward a student’s Pace QPA.

Students looking for additional information can visit Pace’s SAP webpage to learn more about the policy and appeal process.

Stay Informed About Upcoming Federal Financial Aid Changes

Beginning July 1, 2026, new federal financial aid regulations tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted on July 4, 2025, will take effect.

These updates may impact student eligibility, borrowing limits, and financial aid processing. Families are encouraged to stay informed by reviewing Pace University’s OBBBA website and the Federal Student Aid changes chart (PDF) as additional guidance becomes available.

A Reminder for Families of Graduating Students

For students graduating in the Class of 2026, congratulations!

Students who borrowed Federal Direct Student Loans during their time at Pace University are required to complete Loan Exit Counseling before graduation.

We’re Here to Help

The Financial Aid Office is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is here to support students and families throughout the financial aid process. Contact us by phone at (914) 422-4050 or submit a Help Desk ticket.

As we prepare for the 2026–2027 academic year, Pace University’s Financial Aid Office is sharing several important reminders for families of continuing students, including FAFSA filing information, financial aid requirements, academic progress policies, and upcoming federal aid changes. As a reminder, students should continue checking their Pace email regularly for important updates and notifications.

Complete Financial Aid Requirements Early

As the new academic year approaches, families are encouraged to remind their students to log in to the Pace Portal and complete any outstanding 2026–2027 financial aid requirements as soon as possible. Financial aid cannot be finalized until all required documents have been submitted and reviewed.

Completing requirements and resolving balances early can help students avoid late fees and ensure a smoother start to the semester.

It’s Not Too Late to File the FAFSA

Continuing students who have not yet filed the 2026–2027 FAFSA still have time to do so. When filing for FAFSA, students should use the appropriate Pace University school code:

• New York City Campus: 002791
• Pleasantville Campus: 002792

Understanding Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

To remain eligible for federal and institutional financial aid, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), which includes both QPA and course completion requirements.

Pace reviews SAP at the end of each spring semester. Students who are not meeting SAP standards may be at risk of losing financial aid beginning in Summer 2026, including merit scholarships, Pace grants, Federal Direct Loans, and other aid programs.

Students who may need to improve their QPA are encouraged to consider Summer 2026 coursework at Pace University. Please note that summer courses must be taken at Pace in order to count toward a student’s Pace QPA.

Families looking for additional information can visit Pace’s SAP webpage to learn more about the policy and appeal process.

Stay Informed About Upcoming Federal Financial Aid Changes

Beginning July 1, 2026, new federal financial aid regulations tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted on July 4, 2025, will take effect.

These updates may impact student eligibility, borrowing limits, and financial aid processing. Families are encouraged to stay informed by reviewing Pace University’s OBBBA website and the Federal Student Aid changes chart (PDF) as additional guidance becomes available.

A Reminder for Families of Graduating Students

For families celebrating a graduating senior in the Class of 2026, congratulations!

Students who borrowed Federal Direct Student Loans during their time at Pace University are required to complete Loan Exit Counseling before graduation.

We’re Here to Help

The Financial Aid Office is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is here to support students and families throughout the financial aid process. Contact us by phone at (877) 672-1830, or encourage your student to submit a Help Desk ticket or schedule an appointment.

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University ranked #2 among the top 20 law schools sending the most students into careers in government, according to employment data (Class of 2025) reported by Law.com.

This recognition reflects the Law School’s longstanding commitment to public service, access to justice, and experiential learning through its extensive partnerships across the public sector. Among the most significant of these are its longstanding relationships with District Attorney offices across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island—partnerships that provide a substantial number of Pace Haub Law students with hands-on courtroom experience and direct exposure to public service litigation.

In addition to placements throughout government organizations, these opportunities help prepare students for impactful careers serving their communities through prosecution, government service, and the broader public sector.

View the List