First-Generation Trailblazer: Remila Jasharllari’s Path to Success at Haub Law

Elisabeth Haub School of Law

Growing up in a modest family in Eastern Europe, hard work wasn’t just a value for Remila Jasharllari ’25—it was a way of life. “My parents did not have the luxury of college degrees, but they gave me something even greater: the passion for education and learning, and the belief that I could dream bigger than I ever thought,” shared Remila. “As the first in my family to pursue a degree beyond high school, every step felt monumental – graduating college, receiving my acceptance letter from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, and walking into my first class. It was not always an easy journey, and I had my own moments of doubt, but I will always honor where I came from while creating opportunities for those who come after me.”

Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University student Remila Jasharllari
Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University student Remila Jasharllari

Growing up in a modest family in Eastern Europe, hard work wasn’t just a value for Remila Jasharllari ’25—it was a way of life. “My parents did not have the luxury of college degrees, but they gave me something even greater: the passion for education and learning, and the belief that I could dream bigger than I ever thought,” shared Remila. “As the first in my family to pursue a degree beyond high school, every step felt monumental – graduating college, receiving my acceptance letter from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, and walking into my first class. It was not always an easy journey, and I had my own moments of doubt, but I will always honor where I came from while creating opportunities for those who come after me.”

Remila’s journey at Haub Law has been shaped by transformative experiences that challenged and inspired her to grow both personally and professionally. “There are so many opportunities for growth at Haub Law and I took advantage of every that could provide me with hands-on experience in the legal practice,” said Remila. She participated in both the Federal Judicial Honors Program and the State Judicial Externship offered at Haub Law. “Both programs offered me a rare glimpse into the judiciary and provided me invaluable insights into judicial decision-making.”

In addition to these experiences, Remila also served on the Board of the Pace Law Review, which she describes as both impactful and empowering. “Working alongside my fellow students to publish cutting-edge legal scholarship was extremely meaningful. It fostered my leadership abilities while sharpening my legal research and writing skills.” Remila’s desire to give back to the Haub Law community also led her to serve as a Dean’s Scholar for both Contracts and Civil Procedure. “As a Dean’s Scholar I was able to deepen my understanding of the subjects at hand while providing a meaningful opportunity to give back to the fantastic Haub Law student community. All of these experiences not only shaped my legal education but also instilled in me the confidence and resilience to pursue a meaningful career in law.”

In addition to these hands-on learning opportunities, Remila feels the courseload at Haub Law allows students to sharpen their analytical skills while also exploring areas of interest in preparation for specific career paths. “At Haub Law, I took classes such as Investment Advisors Law & Compliance, Corporate Governance, Negotiations, Secured Transactions, Corporate Finance, receiving a solid foundation on corporate law. Each class brings the excitement of uncovering how corporations are built, governed, and transformed through deals and regulations. I had the opportunity to analyze the successes and failures of real-world transactions, gaining insights into the delicate balance of strategy, compliance, and client interests.” Remila also remains grateful for the mentorship she received from faculty, alumni, and other fellow students at Haub Law. “Whether it was guidance on finding a job opportunity or expanding my understanding of the law, these relationships provided me with invaluable support. They equipped me with the skills and confidence necessary to successfully transition into the legal profession, leaving a lasting impact on both my education and career journey.”

Remila’s dedication has paid off. She is set to graduate in May 2025 as part of the part-time program and will join Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP as an associate in the fall, pending bar admission. She looks forward to this amazing opportunity and is particularly excited to explore the intricacies of transactional law. “Transactional law creates value and is always forward looking. I am eager to be part of that at Arnold & Porter.”

As a first-generation immigrant student, Remila acknowledges the challenges of navigating unfamiliar territory. She credits Haub Law’s Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) with lightening that burden. “Whether it was career advice, refining my interview skills, or finding job opportunities, the CCPD was instrumental in lightening that burden, providing me with unwavering support every step of the way. The support system at Pace is truly remarkable- it made me feel like I was never navigating this journey alone.”

Looking back, Remila reflects with gratitude on her time at Haub Law. “Haub Law believed in me right from the start. Without the generous financial support from the school, I do not think I would have been able to attend law school. Haub Law is a school that values its students and invests in their future, and I am the living proof of that commitment. The part-time program was another blessing, offering me the flexibility to balance my responsibilities while pursuing my studies. I am deeply grateful for the like-minded, inspiring students I’ve met along the way – connections that have turned into lifelong relationships. Haub Law didn’t just shape my career; it gave me a sense of belonging and a community I will cherish forever.”

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Learn about AI in the Workplace, a free four-week program for graduating seniors to build their AI skills as they enter the workforce.

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Step into the future of work with a new course, AI in the Workplace.

AI is transforming how we work, changing tools, workflows, and expectations across industries. This free, four-week program will give you the tools and knowledge to work more efficiently and stay ahead in a rapidly changing world.

In this Course, You’ll:

  • Learn to use tools like Claude, Copilot, and ChatGPT to simplify tasks and boost productivity.
  • Create professional visuals with platforms like DALL-E 3 and Napkin.
  • Analyze data effectively with advanced tools like Julius.ai.
  • Interact with useful AI tools that create graphics, summarize PDFs, and more.
  • Explore AI ethics and tackle real-world challenges.
  • Discover free and low-cost resources to keep learning after the course.
  • Earn a digital AI in the Workplace badge.

About AI in the Workplace:

Each class combines dynamic lectures, interactive discussions, and hands-on activities to ensure you gain real-world knowledge and skills. Your journey toward future-proofing your career starts here.

  • Format: 4 weekly 1.5-hour live online classes (6 hours total) through Classes and Zoom.
  • Dates: Faculty and Staff Sessions, October 13–November 5. Student Sessions, TBD.
  • Registration: Registration for October Staff and Faculty Sessions
  • Information Session: Wednesday, October 8, 12:10 p.m.–1:10p.m.
  • Badge: To receive a badge for this class, you must pass all four weekly quizzes.

If you have questions, please review the FAQ below. Other questions can be directed to genAI@pace.edu.

FAQ

I'm having trouble registering.

Please ensure you are registering with your @pace.edu zoom account. You need to log onto pace.zoom.us at least one time before using this account. Helpdesk has step-by-step instructions on how to authenticate your account.

Is the information session mandatory?

We highly recommend attending so you can confirm your registration, learn how to access the class, meet your instructor, get an overview of the course, and ask any questions before the course begins.

You can review the slides presented at the information session at your leisure.

When are sessions are available?

  • Mondays at 4:30p.m.–6:00 p.m. with Johnni Medina
  • Tuesdays at 4:30p.m.–6:00 p.m. with Hetal Mistry

When will classes for students be available? Are there more staff and faculty sessions available?

We are working on finalizing a schedule for the rest of the year. Please check this page frequently.

Where can I access my class?

The course is conducted via Classes. Login with your Pace credentials.

I cannot access my class or do not know which class I'm in.

Send an email to Joe Seijo at jseijo@pace.edu.

What should I do before class starts?

Please review this introductory video about Generative AI and complete the pre-class survey.

I wasn't able to register in time. Is there still availability?

We are hoping to offer more training in the future. Please keep an eye on this page.

When will I get my badge?

Badges earned before July sessions have been distributed. If you completed the quizzes but have not received your badge, please check with your instructor.

July badges are in process of being collected and should be distributed in the next few weeks.

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Matthew Ganis

Matthew Ganis, PhD, is a professor of computer science on the Pleasantville Campus. A 40-year veteran of IBM, Ganis is recognized as an industry expert in agile software methodologies. He has spoken extensively on iterative development methods and the use of social media analytics to understand customer sentiment and behavior. Ganis is the author of two books—one on distributed Scrum and another on social media analytics—and has published more than 50 papers across his fields of expertise.

Hetal Mistry

Hetal Mistry, MS, is a Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science at Seidenberg, where she also serves as an adjunct professor teaching Introduction to Computing and Web Design for Non-Profit Organizations. Her research tackles two high-impact challenges: developing hybrid Graph Convolutional and Graph Attention Network models to detect anomalies across domains in cybersecurity, and exploring how mobile and fixed broadband access correlates with carbon emissions across global economies. Her work bridges AI, sustainability, and cybersecurity, aiming to drive both technological innovation and responsible digital growth.

Johnni Medina

Johnni Medina, MA, is manager of content and digital engagement in University Relations and the creator of a suite of custom AI bots for Pace marketing teams. They have also helped lead AI literacy initiatives, delivered generative AI curriculum to students and staff, and consulted on AI adoption at Pace and beyond. Medina focuses on designing practical, people-first systems that require no programming knowledge, enabling broad integration within nontechnical teams.

David Sachs

David Sachs, EdD, is a professor of information systems in the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems and has served as faculty co-chair of the University’s AI Committee since April 2024. Sachs authored the AI materials currently used in CIS-101, which has served over 2,000 undergraduates, and manages many of the AI training initiatives underway at the University.

Joe Seijo

Joe Seijo is the associate director of instructional design and an adjunct instructor in the criminal justice program in the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences. He supports faculty in developing online courses for both new and existing programs. His current focus is empowering faculty to confidently integrate AI into their teaching to enhance course content and increase student engagement.

Diane Snyder

Diane Snyder, MEd, has a 40-year career in education, engineering, and technology. After starting as a systems engineer at General Electric, she moved into academia and now serves as an adjunct professor of telecommunications. Her recent work focuses on creating hands-on AI courses that teach technical foundations and practical applications, managing STEM grants for underrepresented groups, and integrating ethical AI into educational curricula.

Gordon Snyder

Gordon Snyder, MS, is a veteran STEM educator with four decades of experience. He authored four engineering textbooks, co-founded the Hi-Tec Conference, and has led National Science Foundation–funded Centers of Excellence in emerging technologies. Recognized as one of the top 15 STEM faculty in the United States by Microsoft, Snyder has served as an adjunct professor since 2005. His current work focuses on AI curriculum development and collaborating with academic and industry partners to advance practical, trustworthy AI use.

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Gabriel Terrizzi, BA, is the director of web, mobile, and AI services. He authored the University’s first ethical guidelines for the use of generative AI and co-developed the institution’s inaugural faculty-approved classroom policy on AI. Terrizzi has led the development and deployment of AI tutors, overseen the training of T-Bone, the University’s AI-powered chatbot, and taught multiple sections of the University’s pioneering AI in the Workplace course for students, faculty, and staff.

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From a young age, James Kennedy ’24, BA in Personality and Social Psychology, had been curious about how things work. But he soon he realized that it was human interactions, emotions, and social environments that fascinated him the most.

Kennedy, who chose Pace because it offered a degree in personality and social psychology as well as the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research—typically found only at the graduate level—is now well on his way to achieving his goals. He is enrolled in a five-year social-personality doctoral program at the University at Buffalo, a feat only the best and brightest could achieve.

As an undergraduate student, he engaged in faculty-student research, which prepared him for this new chapter in his academic life. He also presented his research both outside of and within Pace and at national and international conferences.

His work with Psychology Professor Courtney Gosnell, PhD, is one example.

“Professor Gosnell has taught me how to develop and conduct research as well as empowered me to run my own research projects from idea to publication,” he said. The result was a co-publication of their findings, “Politics, Relationships, and Moral Foundations” in Transactions, 24 (Gosnell, C., & Kennedy, J.* (2023), which Kennedy presented with Gosnell at the British Council on Undergraduate Research (BCUR) and as a plenary speaker at Dyson College’s (at Pace) Society of Fellows seminar.

Professor Gosnell has taught me how to develop and conduct research as well as empowered me to run my own research projects from idea to publication.

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Kennedy said, “These experiences have taught me how to network globally and think critically to present my research to a new and diverse audience.”

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“They have helped me reach the point I am at today and have shown me that they care about my growth as a student and a researcher, as well as a person. I plan to stay involved and attend future research events to better learn about the research that Pace students are conducting,” he said.

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