Pace to grow cybersecurity workforce in protecting national security through NSA partnership

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Pace University recently signed an Education Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the National Security Agency in an effort to develop a pipeline of science and technology talent for possible national security challenges.

In continuing its partnership with the NSA, Pace University is boosting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for students by leveraging expertise and resources offered by the federal agency in supporting Pace’s educational programs and research projects. The partnership includes Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems and will provide educational opportunities for students to meet the growing demand for skills in STEM fields.

“This next chapter in our long-standing partnership with the NSA is testament to the broad, innovative, and enriching cybersecurity program here at Pace,” Jonathan Hill, Dean of Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems said. “The Seidenberg School has an impressive roster of cybersecurity faculty, research labs, and a growing number of alumni working at three-letter agencies, national and local businesses, and tech firms.”

Pace University’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems is one of the country’s few Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) with a re-designation from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Security Agency (NSA).

Pace University is committed to excellence in cyber defense education and research. Undergraduate programs include the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a focus in security, and the Bachelor of Science in Professional Technology Studies with a Computer Forensics concentration. Graduate programs include the Master of Science in Cybersecurity, Master of Science in Information Technology with a Cybersecurity concentration, the Master of Science in Computer Science with a Web Security concentration, and the Master of Science in Information Systems with an Information Assurance career path.

“There is so much more to do,” said Dean Hill. “Cybersecurity and all it involves is critical to the digital wellbeing of people, companies, and government. The need to address security at the global level is ever-increasing. In order to address this need for talented cybersecurity workers, we will be launching a new BS in Cybersecurity in Fall ’25.”

Pace maintains three labs focusing on cybersecurity research and education. The Cybersecurity Education and Research Lab (CERL) brings together faculty research and cyber defense education. From students to experts, those learning, working, and teaching in cybersecurity must constantly update their skills and expertise to stay current with fresh developments and ever-changing threats. CERL also maintains a brand new, state-of-the-art cyber range to develop the cybersecurity workforce in a way that simulates the real-world environment. Research streams include biometrics, information security management, web security, computer forensics, information technology auditing, intrusion detection and privacy. The Computer Forensics Lab focuses on research and practical experience in digital and mobile forensics and open-source intelligence analysis. The Computational Intelligence Lab offers students opportunities to develop skills in data science and machine learning and to focus on topics from Artificial Intelligence to pattern recognition.

“This new agreement will further strengthen Pace’s current collaboration with the agency and support research initiatives and workforce development for our programs,” Dr. Li-Chiou Chen, Executive Director of CERL and Professor of Information Technology at the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems said.

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.

About the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems at Pace University

The Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems at Pace University is a leading institute of technology education. Students experience a dynamic and expansive technology education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. One of the first comprehensive schools of computing in the nation, the Seidenberg School is strategically located in the heart of NYC’s tech scene, right on the doorstep of New York’s most promising companies. With access to established tech giants and exciting new start-ups from both the New York City and the Westchester campus, Seidenberg offers the opportunity to connect, intern with, and enjoy lucrative tech jobs following graduation. Through partnerships with leading tech firms, banks, federal agencies, and global institutions, the school’s curricula and programs are designed to ground students in the fundamentals while offering numerous hands-on experiential learning opportunity. The faculty includes numerous experts in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, game development, software engineering, and much more, who operate labs and centers providing students with practical experience and connections that lead to impressive internships and jobs.

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Agathe Brudi

Class of 2025

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

You are engaged in a number of peer mentoring roles as a Pace student. Please tell us more about these experiences and how this work is meaningful to you.

A peer leader is essentially a co-teacher for University 101 classes who serves as a helping hand as freshmen transition into college life. Through this role, I was able to give back to the Pace community while simultaneously gaining experience and making friends. I could not mention my peer leadership without acknowledging my own University 101 instructor, Denise Moreno, a kind-hearted individual who always ensured that class ran smoothly and taught students valuable skills.

I also volunteer for a peer mentoring program that helps Pace students with physical mobility challenges flourish, such as aiding them with their homework, typing, and accessing Pace websites. The work can sometimes be challenging, and full of trial and error, but, as with all new experiences, I discover what works best for me and the other individual, and then we find a mutual rhythm. Overall, this experience has really opened my eyes to the kind of work I want to do when I graduate.

How did you become interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology?

I always wanted to understand why humans think and act the way they do, and my mom felt that I have good perception when it came to reading people and analyzing different personalities and situations. I am very content with my choice, as psychology is possibly the most interesting subject I have studied, specifically, subtopics such as mental and physical disorders, biological psychology, neuroscience, evolution, behavioral psychology, intelligence, memory, and socialization of personality. I could never get bored, as there is always something new to discover, not only about others, but also myself.

At Pace, I’ve been able to both meet a diversity of people and take part in so many opportunities. I am eternally grateful for the privilege to attend this school.

Why did you choose to attend Pace?

I chose Pace for a number of reasons. I was really drawn to being a part of the Pforzheimer Honors College, as I wanted to challenge myself with the responsibilities that come with this membership. All these years have been truly beneficial to me, and I would not have had as much success in college if not for the help of Mohini Gobin, my guidance counselor. In addition, as someone who is originally from France and has lived most of my life in suburban New Jersey, I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and be in the new environment of New York City. At Pace, I’ve been able to both meet a diversity of people and take part in so many opportunities. I am eternally grateful for the privilege to attend this school.

What have your experiences been like with the New York Psychology Department? What faculty have been instrumental in your academic journey?

I have had the pleasant experience of getting to know several staff and faculty members in the New York Psychology Department. As I mentioned earlier, Denise Moreno, who I worked with in peer leadership, has been instrumental in guiding me to become a better instructor, but also a more active member of the Pace community. Professor DaSean Young, PhD, my experimental psychology professor and advisor for my honors thesis, has been both incredibly vital to my thesis proposal and helped me overcome my anxiety when it comes to doing research. Professor Samantha Pescatore has taken the time to talk to me about different career paths, and Professor Michele Zaccario, PhD, is a wonderful individual who cares deeply about her students and ensures they understand the course materials.

What activities/organizations are you engaged in at Pace?

I am an honors student in the Pforzheimer Honors College and president of Tonal Recall, Pace’s premier acapella group.

What would you like to do upon graduation/what are your career goals?

I would like to pursue a master’s degree and experience different roles in the field of psychology, such as working with those who have mental and physical challenges, as well as further study behavior, memory, intelligence, and personality.

What advice would you like to give to our current students?

It is hard to manage all the responsibilities of being an adult, but it is manageable. I am sometimes nervous I am going to live a life of regrets, but to defy this mindset, I always remind myself to take it a day at a time, as it is better to live in the now than stress about a future that has not happened yet.

A delegation from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University spent February break in India, collaborating with OP Jindal Global University on an academic conference and a conclave with local ESG practitioners, and fostering collaborations with new academic institutions.

Taking part in the noteworthy trip were Haub Law School’s Dean Horace Anderson, Haub Law Professors Smita Narula, Katrina Fischer Kuh, Margot Pollans, Sasha Greenawalt, Adjunct Professor Rama Rao, Associate Director of Graduate Programs and International Affairs, Diana Ramirez, Associate Vice President, International Programs and Services at Pace University, Barry Stinson, and student Haub Scholar Hannah Dauray.

The visit was planned around a two-day conference on the Rule of Law and Environmental Justice that was jointly organized by Haub Law School and OP Jindal Global University’s Jindal Global Law School. The conference featured faculty and student panelists from both institutions and from King’s College London. On day two, Haub Law faculty members taught classes on Intellectual Property, Environmental Law in Action, and International Human Rights Law. The visit also featured a Business and Corporate Conclave on Corporate Governance and ESG that was jointly organized by Jindal and Pace. Haub Law faculty participated in a conversation on corporations and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices alongside leaders of the most prominent law firms in India.

During the visit, Haub Law also formalized a new academic partnership with BITS Law School. Dean Anderson had the opportunity to meet with Ashish Bharadwaj, founding Dean of BITS Law School, which is based in Mumbai, India. During their time in Delhi, the Pace delegation also visited the National Law University Delhi, where they had the opportunity to meet with Dr. G.S. Bajpai, the Vice Chancellor and discuss potential areas of collaboration.

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The Westchester Women's Bar Association Foundation (WWBAF) has awarded the Justice Sondra M. Miller Scholarship in honor of WWBA founding member and past President Hon. Sondra M. Miller to Haub Law student Remila Jasharllari. The WWBAF evaluates scholarship applicants on a number of criteria: community and/or public service, clinic and internship involvement, life balance, academic record, personal adversity in pursuit of a legal education and intent to make future contributions to Westchester County.

“This year, the Foundation Board was tasked with selecting a 2024 recipient of this prestigious award from fourteen well-qualified applicants,” said Susan Corcoran, President of the WWBAF. “It was, as always, a difficult decision. Our goal is to identify a deserving recipient whose future in the law carries on the ideals of its namesake, Judge Miller.”

“As an 18-year-old immigrant to the US who arrived here ‘completely on my own’, Remila’s journey to law school is inspirational,” said Susan Corcoran. “Remila’s journey inspired her to help other law students to excel academically. In her own words, ‘I started law school seeking to improve myself and to help carve a path toward success for those who feel, like I once did, lost or excluded.’ Becoming a trail blazer starts at a young age with a willingness to jump into the unknown; whether it is Judge Miller who took the leap to become one of the first women admitted to Harvard Law School or Remila Jasharllari who took the leap to journey to the US (again, in her own words) ‘… to learn, contribute and succeed.’ The WWBAF could not ask for a more perfect candidate to represent the values and pioneering spirit of our own Justice Sondra Miller.”

Remila Jasharllari described being selected for the prestigious Justice Sondra M. Miller award as the utmost honor. “Justice Miller has a history of firsts throughout her extraordinary career- from being a member of Harvard Law School’s first class of admitted women to her historical appointment in the Second Department,” said Remila. “I had the pleasure of meeting her, and was moved by her unmatched wisdom, elegance, and kindness. I consider myself fortunate for connecting with so many brilliant judges and attorneys of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association, and I am inspired by their fortitude in navigating the legal profession, while upholding the ideals of justice, integrity, and inclusion. There is power in mentorship, and I look forward to fostering the ideals of the WWBA in my legal career and making an impact in the Westchester community and beyond.” This summer, Remila will be joining Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP as a 2024 Summer Associate.