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The Pace Women’s Justice Center (PWJC) is proud to announce its 2024 "Raising the Bar" Benefit Concert, a pivotal event dedicated to raising awareness and support for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse. The concert will take place on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at the historic Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, featuring a special performance by Grammy award-winning artist, songwriter, actor, author, and advocate, Ashanti.

“Having Ashanti headline this year’s ‘Raising the Bar’ Benefit Concert is incredibly significant,” says Cindy Kanusher, Executive Director of PWJC. “Her powerful voice makes her the perfect advocate for our mission. We are honored to have Ashanti and her sister, Shia, bring awareness to and help raise funds for finding justice and safety for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.”

In addition, PWJC will honor The ICON Foundation, Inc. with the Making a Difference Award. As the charitable arm of Keller Williams Realty Group, The ICON Foundation has made an outstanding impact on local communities in Westchester, Bronx, Putnam, and surrounding counties. Their unwavering support and generous sponsorship have been instrumental in furthering PWJC’s mission to provide free legal services to victims of abuse.

The “Raising the Bar” Benefit Concert is PWJC’s largest fundraising event of the year. The funds raised will directly support the center’s critical legal services, helping more than 3,500 victims and survivors annually. This year’s event builds on the success of last year’s concert featuring the Indigo Girls, which earned PWJC the prestigious Best of Westchester award for Best Non-Profit Event.

“We are deeply honored to receive the Best of Westchester award for last year’s event,” says Kanusher. “This recognition reflects the strength of our community’s support and the vital work we do.”

Tickets for the 2024 “Raising the Bar” Benefit Concert can be purchased via Ticketmaster. Information on sponsorship opportunities for this event is also available.

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Jonas Nursing, a leading supporter of doctoral nursing education in the U.S., and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), announced that Rachel Robins, a PhD in Nursing student at Pace University, has been selected as a Jonas Scholar for the program’s 2024–2026 cohort. This program aims to improve health care by expanding the pool of PhD and DNP-prepared nurses needed to educate the next generation of nurse leaders.

Robins joins a select group of 63 of the nation’s most promising doctoral nursing students chosen for their passion for teaching, academic excellence, and research prowess. As a Jonas Scholar, Robins will receive financial support, mentorship, and a curriculum tailored to providing students with the learning experiences they need to successfully transition into a faculty role.

“The PhD in Nursing Program is thrilled that Rachel Robins was selected as a Jonas Scholar," says Sharon Wexler, PhD, RN, FNGNA, department chairperson. "We are appreciative of this incredible opportunity for our student. Professor Lin Drury, PhD, who has expertise in research with vulnerable populations, will be Rachel’s mentor. We are confident that Rachel will make excellent contributions to the field.”

Robins joins an incredibly diverse group of doctoral nursing students, with over 50% of its 2024–2026 cohort representative of Black, Latino, and other communities of color, ensuring that burgeoning nursing leaders reflect the patient population of their diverse communities. This group of 63 Scholars contain a multitude of research interests focused on some of the country’s most pressing challenges, including underserved populations in nursing, mental health, and veterans’ health.

Robin's research focuses on the assessment and interventions for postpartum depression among Black women in New York City. This passion stems from her deep concern over the disparities in maternal care these women often face.

“Pace University’s PhD in Nursing program and my advisor, Catherine S. Finlayson, PhD, RN, OCN, have been instrumental in helping me navigate this complex issue. The University has provided me access to many research resources and guided me in refining my ideas, which has helped me develop my approach and ensured that my research is both impactful and relevant to the communities I aim to serve.

I am thrilled to be selected as a Jonas Scholar and look forward to my expanded network to assist in my exploration and pursuit of overcoming disparities in maternal care for New York City Black women.”

Visit the Jonas Scholars program for more information.

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The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University is proud to announce that Professor Laura Portuondo of the University of Houston Law Center has been selected as the winner of the 2024–2025 Haub Law Emerging Scholar Award in Women, Gender & Law for her paper Gendered Liberty, 113 Geo. L. Rev. __ (forthcoming 2025). Professor Portuondo is an Assistant Professor; she teaches Constitutional Law and Reproductive Rights and Justice.

Professor Portuondo’s research focuses on tensions between First and Fourteenth Amendment law and theories for reconciling them. She is a constitutional law scholar with expertise in reproductive rights and justice, gender equality, and the First Amendment. Her recent scholarship has also appeared in the Duke Law Journal, the UCLA Law Review, and the Journal of Law & Religion.

Professor Portuondo received her JD from Yale Law School, where she was an Editor of the Yale Law Journal. She also holds a BA in English summa cum laude with distinction from Yale College. Prior to joining the academy, Professor Portuondo worked as a fellow at the Center for Reproductive Rights and a law clerk to Judge Katzmann (2nd Circuit) and Judge Rakoff (S.D.N.Y).

Professor Emily Gold Waldman, a member of the award selection committee and the Associate Dean for Faculty Development at Haub Law, said: “Professor Portuondo’s article is an insightful examination of the evolving landscape of constitutional rights, particularly the contrast between the Fourteenth Amendment's shrinking safeguards against gender discrimination and expanding protections for religious freedom under the First Amendment. Gendered Liberty not only illuminates these critical legal shifts, but also challenges us to rethink the broader implications for equality and liberty in our society. This work is an exciting contribution to the field, reflecting deep research and a nuanced understanding of constitutional law.”

About the Award

The Haub Law Emerging Scholar Award in Women, Gender & Law is presented annually in recognition of excellent legal scholarship related to women, gender and the law published by a full-time law professor with five or fewer years of full-time teaching experience. After an open call for submissions, papers are reviewed on a blind basis by members of the Haub Law faculty with expertise in this area. The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University invites the award recipient to present their winning scholarship to the Haub Law community.

Nominations are due by July 1 of each year and can be directed to Professor Bridget Crawford.

Pace’s fifth annual Social Justice Week is taking place the week of October 26. This week of learning and reflection is designed to offer an ongoing memorial for Pace student Danroy “DJ” Henry, and to further commit Pace University to social justice and anti-racism.

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A community-driven effort, the week aims to offer original programming that adheres to values of equity and justice and engages the campus community in learning activities and dialogue centered on the issues of social justice. Social Justice Week seeks to create brave spaces that challenge white supremacy among other forms of oppression and to create a starting point from which meaningful dialogue and action can be created for the entire Pace Community.

Get Involved!

This week consists of events hosted by the Pace Community, including students, staff, faculty, departments, and student organizations across the three Pace campuses. If you are interested in hosting an event, you can learn more and apply here. The deadline to apply is September 27. If you would like to be considered for funding for your event, please apply by September 23.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please email socialjusticeweek@pace.edu.

The Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems is excited to announce that Dr. Li-Chiou Chen has assumed the role of our school’s interim dean, starting on August 16. Dr. Chen, a long-standing member of the Seidenberg community, brings an impressive track record of academic leadership and a deep commitment to student success. Her keen pedagogical insights and market-focused approach will guide the Seidenberg School through the upcoming academic year.

As a professor, the current director of Seidenberg’s MS in Cybersecurity program, and leader of prestigious programs like the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service, Dr. Chen has been instrumental in shaping the Seidenberg School's innovative programs and fostering a student-centric environment. Her leadership will undoubtedly continue to drive the school’s mission of preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow's technology landscape. When talking about how she envisions the upcoming year for students, Dr. Chen said that “this is a place for students to call home, a place where they can grow and expand their interests. They come here not just to study, but to also participate in something they are interested in outside of the classroom. Our mission is to make sure the students feel like they can always find someone in the school that they can talk to, who can guide them and answer their questions. Even after they’ve graduated, we want them to feel supported by Seidenberg.” She added that “the school has a very good foundation right now, and has been going in an upward trajectory for the past eight to ten years. We want to keep the stability that this trajectory has given us, but we also aim to expand in new directions with the development of new majors and adding more research opportunities for our faculty and students.”

This appointment follows the transition of Seidenberg’s current and longstanding dean, Dr. Jonathan Hill, who will be stepping into the role of Interim Provost for Pace University. Dr. Hill has been a transformative leader at Seidenberg, and his new role will allow him to bring his characteristic positive influence to the University on a broader scale. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Hill for his outstanding contributions to Seidenberg and wish him continued success in his new role.

As we embark on this new chapter, the Seidenberg community remains committed to fostering a collaborative, welcoming, and supportive culture. With the Fall semester approaching, we are confident that under Dr. Chen’s leadership, Seidenberg will continue to thrive and take on new challenges with the resilience and innovation that define our school. Congratulations to Dr. Chen, and best of luck to Dr. Hill in his new position!

During the 2024 Summer semester, Pace University organized its yearly student exchange initiative in collaboration with URL LaSalle from Barcelona. This initiative brought 33 rising second-year undergraduate students from Barcelona to New York City for a week-long immersive experience focused on artificial intelligence, data analytics, and exploring the vibrant culture of NYC. The students were taught and mentored by expert faculty from the Lubin School of Business and the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems. The program was coordinated by Lubin’s Center for Global Business Programs.

Under the guidance of Seidenberg professors, Drs. Yegin Genc and Jonathan Lee, the students delved into AI through engaging and informative sessions. Dr. Genc highlighted the practical aspect of the program, stating that "we had a couple of sessions that sampled the application of AI tools and technologies for augmenting decision-making and business processes. Students had a chance to build prototypical apps that utilized computer vision and large language models." This hands-on approach provided the students with valuable insights into the role of AI in shaping the future of business and technology.

The program went beyond the classroom, as it also successfully combined academic learning with cultural immersion to offer the students an enriching experience. The Lubin faculty and staff organized visits to several prominent companies, offering students a glimpse into the professional applications of their studies. To balance their academic endeavors, the students also explored NYC's rich cultural heritage, including visits to the American Museum of Natural History and a walking tour of the historic Wall Street area.