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.

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Daniel Khieninson ’26 has distinguished himself as an exceptional student leader during his time at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, earning recognition for his exemplary academic achievement and his commitment to the Law School community. In recognition of his accomplishments, Dan will deliver the student address at the 2026 Commencement.

Before attending Pace Haub Law, Dan earned his undergraduate degree in biology from Fordham University and spent a year volunteering at a biological station in Costa Rica. His longstanding interest in environmental issues and public service naturally led him to Pace Haub Law, where he became deeply involved in the environmental and land use community.

During his time at the Law School, Dan served as a Research and Writing Editor for the Pace Environmental Law Review and as a 3L Land Use Scholar with the Land Use Law Center. He also participated in the Environmental Law Society, the Garden Club, and the Federal Judicial Honors Program (FJHP), an experience he describes as one of the most meaningful parts of his legal education. “One of my favorite experiences was participating in FJHP and getting to see the inner workings of the court system,” Dan shared.

Another particularly rewarding experience came through his work mentoring junior associates on Law Review. “I really enjoyed helping guide junior associates through the drafting process and working with them to produce their best work,” he said.

Throughout law school, Dan gained a variety of legal experiences across environmental, land use, and public interest law. He interned with Save the Sound, where he researched and drafted memoranda and briefs involving environmental litigation and administrative law matters. As a judicial intern in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, he gained firsthand exposure to federal litigation and courtroom proceedings. Dan also worked as a Summer Legal Researcher with Pace Haub Law’s Land Use Law Center, conducting research focused on local land use and zoning initiatives, with a focus on public health in the context of climate change.

Since January, Dan has served as a part-time Law Clerk with Snyder & Snyder, LLP. Following graduation and successful completion of the bar examination, he will join the firm as an associate, where he will continue working on land use, zoning, permitting, renewable energy, and environmental matters.

Reflecting on his time at Pace Haub Law, Dan emphasized the relationships he built along the way.

“My time at the Law School was both challenging and intellectually engaging,” he said. “While the courses were fascinating and the professors were exceptional, I am most grateful for the incredible people I met along the way. I am glad I chose Pace Haub Law, proud of my fellow classmates, and excited to see what we all accomplish moving forward.”