Sensory integration refers to complex processes of the nervous system that allow the brain to understand internal bodily states and sensations from the environment. Taking in and processing information from our bodies and the world (sensations) takes up approximately 80% of brain function. These sensations include sights, sounds, touches, tastes, and smells. In addition, we have sensory systems that allow us to maintain balance and understand our movements (vestibular), feel our bodies in space (proprioception), and understand sensations from our internal organs (interoception).

Sensory integration is a vital part of the human experience, and we all have individual sensory preferences. Think about it: Do you love roller coasters or avoid them at all costs? Do you feel energized in crowded places or overwhelmed? Do you cut the tags out of your shirts, or do you not even notice them?

Many individuals face challenges in taking in and processing different sensations, which can impact their ability to participate in and succeed at daily activities. Challenges with sensory processing can present in various ways: a toddler who avoids walking on grass, a child who constantly bumps into classmates, a child who has a tantrum whenever it's time for a handwriting activity, a teenager who rushes through the hallway to avoid busy transitional periods between classes, or an adult who struggles to sit still during brief work meetings.

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As occupational therapists, we analyze a person's sensory challenges and provide theory-driven, evidence-informed treatment to help their brains better process sensory information. Sensory integration therapy supports individuals in functioning more effectively and being successful in their daily lives and occupations.

Sensory integration therapy must be fun to be effective! This is an integral principle of the approach. As educators, we would be remiss to teach the science and theory behind sensory integration without incorporating hands-on fun. In the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program, faculty strongly believe in using experiential learning to deepen student understanding of concepts, support connections between theory and practice, and emphasize the joy and creativity that should be woven into occupational therapy interventions.

The MSOT 2025 cohort took a field trip to Family of Kidz Sensory Gym in Harrison, NY, as part of their Pediatric course.

The occupational therapists did an amazing job at explaining how they would use specific equipment for different children. Using the equipment made me feel like a kid again and I realized how much I would enjoy working in pediatrics in the future!

—Alejandra Hogg, MSOT Student

The students learned about sensory integration in lecture and then participated in experiential learning to reinforce concepts and practice skills. We played, jumped, bounced, swung, climbed, balanced, sang, and even had a pretend snowball fight.

"This was such a great experience that helped us imagine how we would utilize sensory equipment in future practice. It was very fun "relearning" how to play!" Taylor Pandorf, MSOT student shared about the field trip.

Thank you to Family of Kidz for hosting us and to our students for bringing their enthusiasm and playfulness. The experience was a perfect blend of education and fun, truly embodying the spirit of occupational therapy.

This is learning. This is fun. This is occupational therapy and we love it! Happy World OT Day!

A week of over 30 events honors DJ Henry’s legacy and focuses on racial justice, activism, and community engagement across Pace’s campuses

Pace University will kick-off its annual Social Justice Week on Saturday across its three campuses – in lower Manhattan, Pleasantville, and at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law in White Plains. In its fifth year, the week features events that adhere to values of equity and inclusion while engaging the campus community in learning activities and dialogue centered on the issues of social justice.

In 2020, Pace alumni, students, staff, and faculty – in consultation with the family of D.J. Henry, a Pace student and member of the football team who was shot and killed by a police officer during Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 17, 2010 — conceptualized Social Justice Week to honor DJ’s life and acknowledge the connections between his story, racial injustice, and other examples around the country.

“Honoring DJ Henry’s legacy is at the core of our mission to champion social and racial justice," said Pace University President Marvin Krislov. “Social Justice Week offers a transformative platform for our students — an opportunity to engage deeply with DJ’s story, to confront the realities of systemic injustice, and to be inspired to lead the charge for meaningful and lasting change in our society.”

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DJ's family founded the DJ Henry Dream Fund to carry on his legacy and passion for youth sports. DJ’s story was also the subject of a CBS News and “48 Hours” segment entitled “Defending DJ.”

The week will kick-off with Pace’s Homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Northwell Stadium as the Setters take on American International College. At the game, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase baked goods from Greyston Bakery, a social enterprise not-for-profit that creates meaningful job opportunities for people facing barriers to employment, with proceeds going to the DJ Henry Dream Fund.

Held to coincide with DJ’s Oct. 29 birthday, Social Justice Week is a community-driven effort that understands that DJ’s story cannot be told accurately without acknowledging how it is connected to the history and present-day reality of racism, inequity, and injustice. The week aims to create meaningful dialogue and action that can be fostered for the entire Pace Community.

With a dynamic lineup of events, ranging from workshops on food sovereignty to discussions on the mental health impacts of systemic racism, Social Justice Week offers transformative opportunities for reflection and advocacy. A full schedule of events is available. Several events throughout the week will specifically commemorate DJ Henry, with programs taking place across all Pace’s campuses. Some highlights include:

• The Lower Manhattan campus will host Dinner for DJ: A Celebration of Life, where members of the Pace community will gather to reflect on DJ’s life and legacy, with DJ’s grandfather, Wayne Dozier, in attendance.
• In Westchester, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law will host the DJ Henry Open Mic Night, where students, faculty, and staff will share stories, poetry, and performances inspired by DJ’s memory and the ongoing fight for justice. Additionally, a screening of CBS 48 Hours "Defending DJ," which delves into the circumstances surrounding DJ Henry's death, will be followed by a panel discussion.
• Additional events during Social Justice Week include a Slavery and Resistance Walking Tour in lower Manhattan, exploring key historical sites like the African Burial Ground and City Hall; a joint book talk titled "Language is Political" by Dyson College of Arts and Sciences professors Meghana Nayak and Kuhu Joshi, that focuses on how creative writing fosters social change; an event on Fighting Period Poverty, which raises awareness about menstrual inequality; the COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter Oral History Project, reflecting on racial justice and health disparities; and a screening of How to Sue the Klan, which includes Haub Law Professor and Civil Rights Attorney Randolph McLaughlin examines the landmark 1982 civil rights case against the Ku Klux Klan.

"Social Justice Week is a unique and cherished tradition at Pace University," said Jeff Barnett, Ph.D., vice president for student affairs and dean for students. "It reflects our commitment to centering the student experience and advancing our goal of becoming an antiracist university. The week, which features 33 programs and events across our three campuses hosted by students, faculty, and staff, fosters education and advocacy for our greater Pace University community. We're so grateful to the entire Social Justice Week Committee and event planners for their leadership and outstanding work."

"Pace University remains committed to creating transformative experiences for our diverse student body, and I continue to be inspired by our students' passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion," said Stephanie Akunvabey, Ed.D., chief diversity officer at Pace University. "Each year, Social Justice Week showcases the incredible initiatives of the Pace community, and I look forward to actively engaging with and learning from this year’s events."

About Pace University

Since 1906, Pace University has been transforming the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, Pace offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its 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.

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Meet Sophie Serage, Pace’s Gosin Center program coordinator! She’s bringing programs and initiatives to life that promote diversity and foster inclusive environments for all. Want to learn more? Check out the full Q+A below for upcoming events and more Gosin Center info!

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? How did you come to be at the Gosin Center?

Hi, all! I’m Sophie Serage, the program coordinator for the Gosin Center. I have a roommate who is a Pace student, and we were on the job boards looking for a work-study for them. However, this job was open and piqued my interest, especially with my background in community partnerships at University of Massachusetts in Boston. And the rest is history.

Tell us more about the Barry M. and Jackie Gosin Center for Equity and Inclusion. What programs do you have going on right now?

The Gosin Center has just instituted its inaugural Network Scholarship. It’s a cohort of Pleasantville sophomores with a passion for business and entrepreneurship; for the next year, they will go through a series of events and programs designed to foster their go-getter spirit and prepare them in their careers post-graduation.

What are you most looking forward to in the Fall 2024 semester?

Other than sweater weather and soup season, I would have to say Nikole Hannah-Jones is coming to Pace to speak on November 12. We had a great start to our Fireside Chat Series in the spring, and I think this will be a great addition to that collection. We will be having student moderators, and an audience Q+A. Nikole Hannah-Jones is a Pulitzer-Prize winning writer, known for her coverage of civil rights in America. It should be an evening of lively conversation, and it is our hope that everyone walks away enlightened and nourished.

How can students, staff, and faculty get involved?

Attend our events! RSVP Nikole Hannah-Jones' fireside chat later in November and be on the lookout for more to come in the spring. In the meantime, the Gosin Center is located on the 9th floor of 41 Park Row on the NYC Campus, and it is open to all!

Learn more about the Barry M. and Jackie Gosin Center for Equity and Inclusion at Pace University.

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Layne Davis ‘25, Peace and Justice Studies, Political Science, delivered a statement on October 16 to the United Nations General Assembly First Committee, which considers issues of disarmament and international security. The statement called for greater engagement in youth inclusion and disarmament education (PDF).

In consultation with partners around the world, it was drafted by Professor Matthew Bolton, PhD, and Associate Professor Emily Welty, PhD, co-directors of Dyson College’s International Disarmament Institute, a collaboration between the Peace and Justice Studies and Political Science programs.

Students who contributed to the drafting process include Rachel Kohley ‘27, Political Science; Zachary Powers ‘26, Economics, Political Science; Teresa Siniak ‘24, Communication and Media Studies; Chloe Stout ’26, Political Science; and Marlene Thomas ‘25, Peace and Justice Studies, students in Bolton’s POL297L Global Politics of Disarmament and Arms Control course. The class, which counts for civic engagement credit, brings students to the UN in small groups, allowing them the opportunity to monitor discussions in the First Committee.

“As you deliberate in these conference rooms, center the voices of communities affected by the weapons you are discussing. Their experiences highlight connections to climate inaction, colonization, and intersecting forms of marginalization along the lines of gender, race, class, Indigeneity, sexuality, caste, and disability,” said Davis, on behalf of more than 100 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), educational, and youth organizations from around the world.

The International Disarmament Institute is becoming a space of world-class education and research, and plays a convening role in support of disarmament policymaking, from humanitarian, human rights, and environmental perspectives. Pace’s contributions to promoting the involvement of young people in disarmament forums were featured in a report this year by the UN Secretary-General.

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Staff members! Looking for a wonderful way to meet your colleagues, learn about key issues impacting staff, and perhaps join a committee?

The Westchester Staff Council (WSC) and New York Staff Council (NYSC) offer vital platforms for university staff to engage with senior administration and discuss key issues. Open to all staff members, with voting rights reserved for full-time staff, each council meets monthly (sometimes jointly) from September through May, and wrap up the year by hosting a fun, community-building picnic. Interested in more involvement? Join one of the various committees like the Benefits, Faculty, or Safety Committees and represent your peers!

Each Staff Council’s Executive Committee, composed of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson (or Co-Chairpersons), Secretary, and Treasurer, is elected by voting members for one-year terms, with a maximum of four consecutive terms per position. Staff council co-chairs play an essential role in advocating for staff at the Board of Trustees' Staff Affairs Committee meetings held twice annually. The Executive Sponsor to the Staff Councils who is a member of Operations Committee, guides them on surfacing concerns and has been working with them to draft a new charter, with the aim of clarifying how they engage in university governance. Alongside the elected staff representative, staff council co-chairs gain exciting opportunities to interact with board members and senior leaders, obtain experience speaking and presenting to a committee, and to represent colleagues and fellow coworkers on numerous occasions.

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For more information, check out the websites for the NY Staff Council or the Westchester Staff Council.

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What attracted you to Pace?
I am a proud Pace University student, and my professional background includes higher education. So, Pace makes me feel right at home. Plus, I know that many faculty and staff have been working at Pace for several years, and that speaks volumes to me.

How do you contribute towards the success of Pace?
The University operates true to its founding mission of Opportunitas. We each support this mission in unique ways. My primary goals include ensuring faculty and staff have access to great healthcare, and that our total rewards strategy is competitive.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A florist. There is still time.

If there is anything else, you would like to share with the Pace Community?
I love elephants, travel, and useless trivia.

Pace University students and faculty interested in protecting the planet from climate disasters are being asked to make climate change innovation a priority. To help make that dream a reality, Speedemissions, in partnership with The Front Yard at Pace University, has established the Project Planet U.S.A initiative.

Through the Project Planet U.S.A initiative, environmental entrepreneurs with potential tech solutions geared toward addressing climate change may share their concepts, innovative ideas, or solutions for a chance to win a cash grant in the amount of $6,000 and in-kind professional services consisting of mentoring, public relations, and network connections.

Those looking to apply are required to attend at least 1 of 3 workshops. The first workshop was held on October 1. Interested students and faculty members can register for an upcoming workshop today:

• Workshop Two, November 4, 12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
• Workshop Three, December 3, 12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.

Applications are due by January 31, 2025. Up to two winners—individuals or groups—will be selected. Winning entries will retain all product, concept, or idea rights.

About The Front Yard at Pace University: The Front Yard, a cutting-edge educational platform, seeks to develop an advanced "Tool Box" for Pace University's students, alumni, and faculty to support entrepreneurial and innovative ideas by establishing connections with companies and organizations to foster term long-term relationships, joint ventures, partnerships, and sponsorships.

About Speedemissions: Founded in January 2001, SpeedEmissions has conducted over 2.5 million vehicle emission inspections and 1.25 million vehicle safety inspections, pioneering the "Vehicle Test, Only" store model to prioritize customer service and inspection accuracy. This test-only model means that the company’s emission testing stores do not repair cars that fail emission and safety inspections. Speedemissions has been working to protect the environment from toxic automotive pollutants for decades.

Pace University's Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems professor Joe Acampora recently participated in U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s Lower Hudson Valley Region Service Academy Night. The cybersecurity event was hosted at Westchester Community College with the aim of promoting educational and career opportunities connected to the federal service academies and cybersecurity programs.

The event featured representatives from the five U.S. service academies, Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs, and regional universities, including institutions like Pace University which are recognized as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C). Seidenberg representatives highlighted Pace’s cybersecurity program, which is a leader in the Hudson Valley region, and discussed how Seidenberg’s programs align with the U.S. Department of Defense's Cyber Service Academy initiative.

During the event, Professor Acampora and Seidenberg representatives engaged with prospective students, families, and fellow educators, sharing insights into the cybersecurity field and the hands-on opportunities available at Pace, such as our state-of-the-art cyber range and new BS in Cybersecurity degree. They also participated in a panel discussion at the Gateway Davis Auditorium and hosted a tabling session in which they offered personalized advice to students interested in cybersecurity careers.

As a whole, the event emphasized experiential learning and public service, underscoring Pace University’s commitment to academic excellence, student success, and partnerships that empower the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.