Building a First-Gen Community to Last

Pace Path/Student Success

From mentee, to mentor, to president of the First Generation Student program, Valentina Rojas Abreu ’24 knows the importance of community. Looking forward to National First Generation Student Day on November 8, Valentina reflects on the evolution of the first-gen program and what makes the first-gen community at Pace so special.

Pace student Valentina Rojas Abreu stands in front of a staircase
Pace student Valentina Rojas Abreu smiles in front of a home
Johnni Medina

“I love being a commuter student. I try to be heavily active on campus. Sometimes I'm literally here for 12 hours a day because I work on campus and attend my classes. But I love it.”

Valentina Rojas Abreu ’24 knows the importance of taking her education into her own hands.

A health science major on the pre-physician track, Valentina is plugged in to life on the Westchester Campus as a student assistant in the Dean for Student’s Office and Student Affairs, and in her role as president of the First Generation Program.

A lot of us [first-gen students] are so independent because we don't have that safety net.

Valentina is so driven, in part, because she’s always had to be. She recalled that as she grew up, she and her mother were learning English at the same time. Her mother helped where she could but even the way she had learned math in the Dominican Republic was different from the classwork Valentina brought home in the States. “I ended up being very independent,” she explained. “And I'm the firstborn in my family. So I don't have an older sibling to ask ‘how did you do this’ or ‘what is FASFA?’”

Valentina’s experience is that of first generation students everywhere. “A lot of us are so independent because we don't have that safety net,” Valentina says. “Not that we don't have people to depend on, but at least on an academic standpoint, you are on your own.”

Image
Valentina greets other Pace students at a tabling event

She found support during her last years of high school through the Yonkers Partners in Education, a mentoring program that provided students with graduation coaches. As she began to look into colleges, she was drawn to Pace because of its connections. “It’s five minutes away from the number one trauma center in the Northeast,” she says, an important factor for a health science major. “I’d heard great things all through high school about how many connections Pace has to different companies and programs. I liked that I could commute and that there was a New York City Campus I could take advantage of if I wanted to.”

She came to Pace and was thrilled to discover that there was a mentoring program for first-gen students. Knowing how much it impacted her to have that peer support in high school, she signed up. “We were paired with upper level students, usually someone in your major, to mentor you and help you out,” Valentina says. “And when you’re a sophomore, you're given the opportunity to then be a mentor to other students.” She continued on with the program and received three students to mentor. To this day, even as the program has evolved and she’s stepped up into the role of president of the program, she’s still close with her mentees. “I try to encourage them in the same way I was encouraged.”

I’d heard great things all through high school about how many connections Pace has to different companies and programs.

The First Generation program is open to any first generation students attending Pace. “Some people don’t even realize they’re a first generation student,” according to Valentina. A first generation student is determined as someone whose parent or parents did not receive a four-year degree. “Even if your parents received an associate degree rather than a four-year degree, or your siblings have gone to college, you're still considered a first-generation student.”

Image
First-generation Pace students paint at an event put on by the First Generation Student program

The program has now expanded to encourage more than just one-on-one mentorship, but to instead foster a community among the first generation students at Pace, and as president Valentina works to ensure every student has the support they need. She helps oversee and organize events for the program, from vision-journaling socials, to financial aid workshops, and now with programming for the first-ever First Generation Honors Program.

Valentina explains, “We joined the National Honor Society called Tri Alpha, which is for first generation students.” Students who are academically eligible can join to take advantage of Tri Alpha benefits, such as leadership opportunities, lifetime membership, graduation cords, and more. Their first induction is taking place on November 8, National First Generation Students Day, marking an exciting new milestone for not only the students, but the program itself.

I try to encourage them in the same way I was encouraged.

Reflecting on her time at Pace and in the First Generation Program, Valentina can’t help but realize how much being a part of the first-gen community impacted her path. She has her on-campus job because a former leader in the program used to send out job blasts and made her aware of the position. Now, Valentina is the one sending job blasts and opportunities to other students, carrying on that ethos of passing along the support she was once offered.

Valentina has graduated from mentee, to mentor, to president of the program, and is helping usher in a new era with the addition of the Honors Society. “It’s a full circle moment,” she says. “And that’s what the program is dedicated to.”

To learn more about Resources for First Generation Students and the First Generation Program send an email to plvfirstgen@pace.edu. For more information on the Honors Society, visit Tri Alpha’s website.

Contains Video
No

More from Pace

Students

Computer science student Sachin Archer knows what it’s like to defy expectations. His journey has led him from Jamaica to New York City, and now the world. Take it from him, it’s never too early to dive in: “I'm doing all these amazing things. And I'm only 19.”

Supreme Court To Hear Dispute Over Public Officials Blocking People On Social Media

Elisabeth Haub School of Law

Leslie Y. Garfield Tenzer, a law professor at Pace University, said there is a “gray area” between public officials being able to block people and stop harassment and the rights of others to view online posts. She said the legal protection social media companies enjoy under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which allows the companies to be immune from certain lawsuits over content posted by third parties, should be amended to prevent any online harassment. “If public officials want to stop allowing harassing information, I think they must address it by amending Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which is a difficult, if not impossible task,” Ms. Tenzer said. “I also think as a mother, and a social media scholar, that publishing anti-hate rhetoric or posts that teach others to kill should never be permitted. But as long as section 230 exists, I think it is hard to hold social media companies accountable.”

Contains Video
No
In The Media
Related Profiles

'Harry Potter' Is Having A Moment Again. Here's Why.

Dyson College of Arts and Science

Dyson Professor Melvin Williams speaks with USA Today about why the viral 'Harry Potter' meme is taking over TikTok feeds.

"Our engagement in the 'Harry Potter' TikTok trends exhibits how audiences are no longer passively waiting for media conglomerates to supply content for their consumption needs, but instead are actively creating what they desire to see using familiar pop culture figures, symbolism and the autonomy that has always been at the hands of media consumers," says Melvin Williams, associate professor of communication and media studies at Pace University.

Contains Video
No
In The Media
Related Profiles

Viewing Israel-Hamas War Through The Lens Of History, Education By NY Experts

Dyson College of Arts and Science

Dyson Professor Jared Manasek and several NY education experts provide historical insights and context to LoHud/Gannett for a story about viewing the Israel-Hamas conflict through a historical and education lens.

Contains Video
No
In The Media
Related Profiles

Expert: Trump's lawyers making "nonsensical arguments" in effort to evade Jan. 6 charges

Elisabeth Haub School of Law

Such arguments are “nonsensical,” Bennett Gershman, a former New York prosecutor and law professor at Pace University, told Salon. “Every person, including Trump, has the right to engage in ‘forceful political advocacy,’” he said. “But Trump and his co-conspirators went far beyond advocacy. Trump and his cohorts engaged in a criminal conspiracy to subvert the results of a lawful election by illegal means. To endorse this argument would be to sanction any action taken under the guise of political advocacy, including violence and even political assassination.”

Contains Video
No
In The Media
Related Profiles

Reform US International Taxation Laws to Set a Global Example

Lubin School of Business

Lubin Professor Philip G. Cohen pens an op-ed in Bloomberg Tax about reforming U.S. international taxation laws to set a global example.

calculator, ruler, and tax forms
Contains Video
No
In The Media
Related Profiles

The Physician-Author: A Q+A with Paulette Smart-Mackey ‘88

Dyson College of Arts and Science

Jamaican-born alumna and physician builds on her foundation as a Dyson student by sharing her medical knowledge and instilling confidence as a children’s book author.

Pace University's Chemistry alum Paulette Smart
Antonia Gentile
Image
Pace University's Chemistry alum Paulette Smart

Paulette Smart-Mackey

Class of 1988

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Paulette Smart-Mackey is a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, transformational coach, and mentor who is passionate about early learning. To this end, she has recently published a book, Meet Skulle, which helps children explore their natural curiosity for the science of the human body.

What inspired you to write this book and what do you hope your readers will gather from it?

Image
Pace University's Chemistry alum Paulette Smart's book Meet Skulle

When my daughter was in elementary school, she was very curious about science and wanted to learn more about naming the bones in the human body. One day when she was in first grade, she asked me to come to school during a community session to teach her friends what she had already been learning. The administration allowed it, and it became an annual event which lasted through the fourth grade. When the pandemic occurred, my daughter inspired me to author Meet Skulle.

It is my hope that readers who are connected to a curious child will garner that learning complex topics can be accomplished at any age. My observations have been that, when children learn something new, their posture is more upright, and their eyes gleam. In them, I see the look of confidence in a future generation of leaders, and I wanted to share this “knowledge with confidence” theme with my readers.

Prior to attending medical school at The State University of New York at Buffalo, you earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the Pleasantville campus at Pace University. What attracted you to pursue a degree in chemistry? Did you always know you wanted to be a physician?

Pursuing a degree in chemistry came from the very analytical person within me who loves math and science, and chemistry seemed to combine these two passions. I knew I wanted to be a doctor from preschool age, and I confirmed my instincts by later volunteering and working in pharmacy stock rooms at area hospitals in order to be in the medical environment. I also engaged with disabled children in group homes and really enjoyed working and caring for people and being in the hospital community. I was inspired to specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation by my medical school mentor and have found that caring for patients in a team setting, and addressing their medical, social, psychological, and physical needs, to name a few, is a thrill for me. Today, I use my medical platform to coach on health, wellness, and electrodiagnosis, and, recently, write this scientific book for youngsters.

Why did you choose to enroll at Pace?

My initial impulse was to enroll at Pace due to the close proximity to my home; however, as I was very focused on going to medical school, I was also excited to learn about the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences. I really enjoyed the curriculum, including the core courses and electives, which both prepared me for the medical school entry exam and provided a well-rounded exploration of other interests outside of the sciences, which is something that is a bit more difficult to do within the focused lens of medical school.

How have faculty been instrumental in your journey?

So many Dyson professors helped me collectively. My biology, chemistry, math, science, and science lab professors poured knowledge into me, pointed out my weaknesses, and helped me build confidence in the path I had chosen. My curriculum advisor helped to keep me focused. My history teacher demanded excellence in writing papers, which was a turning point for me, as writing and speech are fundamental in every profession. I realize now how each professor was helping me to build character with knowledge. Today, I use all of these skills both personally and professionally in my decision-making.

Each Dyson professor was helping me to build character with knowledge. Today, I use all of these skills both personally and professionally as a physician in my decision-making.

College is a significant time in a person’s life. In what ways did your time as a Dyson student influence you to become the person you are today?

When I was a student, I had only recently immigrated to the United States from Jamaica, so I was adapting to a new culture of learning, and I actually extended my time at Pace to learn more about socialization, integration, and community service, working both internally in the biology lab and externally at IBM and pharmaceutical company Ciba-Geigy. These experiences laid a solid foundation for me, and I took all the lessons learned with me in my training as a medical doctor and beyond.

Most of my challenges were cultural. With my Jamaican culture, I did not fully understand the journey of Black Americans in this country and the concept of racism and prejudice (in Jamaica, our motto is ‘out of many, one people’ and all are treated equally). So, integration was difficult for me, and it took me many years to fully understand my environment. These challenges, however, empowered me to pursue knowledge and to be the best version of myself. What I liked most about Dyson is that I felt at home there. It was a small community of students, professors, and staff with similar interests. This community helped me overcome some of the challenges.

Although a busy professional, you dedicate time volunteering for causes that are meaningful to you. Tell us more about that.

As someone who has been invested in by others, I believe in giving back and returning the favor. Most of my time volunteering was spent at local schools, churches, and church organizations, and my most memorable was as a Dyson student volunteering with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. For me, volunteering was a nice break from classes and seeing the joy on people’s faces when you invest time with them energizes my heart in a powerful way.

What advice would you give to our students as they navigate their college life?

As you climb the ladder to greater heights, what brings the most content at the top is the depth of your character. Consider bringing along an attitude of gratitude on your journey and have fun along the way.

Contains Video
No

Pace University to Kick-Off Social Justice Week on October 29

Diversity and Equity

Pace University on Sunday, October 29 will kick-off its annual Social Justice Week across its three campuses – in lower Manhattan, Pleasantville, and White Plains. In its fourth year, the week features events that adhere to values of equity and justice while engaging the campus community in learning activities and dialogue centered on the issues of social justice.

DJ Henry Mural.
DJ Henry Mural at the Pace University Kessel Student Center

Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah will be one of the featured guest speakers participating in Social Justice Week

Pace University on Sunday, October 29 will kick-off its annual Social Justice Week across its three campuses – in lower Manhattan, Pleasantville, and White Plains. In its fourth year, the week features events that adhere to values of equity and justice while engaging the campus community in learning activities and dialogue centered on the issues of social justice.

During the summer of 2020, Pace alumni, students, staff, and faculty, in consultation with the Henry family, conceptualized Social Justice Week to honor DJ’s life and acknowledge the connections between his story, racial injustice, and other examples around the country. DJ was a student on Pace’s Pleasantville Campus and a member of the football team. On October 17, 2010, Pace's Homecoming weekend, DJ was shot and killed by a Pleasantville police officer.

"We at Pace are committed to upholding the legacy of DJ Henry and advancing the cause of social and racial justice," said Pace President Marvin Krislov. "Social Justice Week is our opportunity each year to introduce a new generation of students to DJ’s story, and to encourage open dialogue and proactive steps within our community for positive change.”

DJ's family founded the DJ Henry Dream Fund to carry on his legacy and passion for youth sports. To learn more about DJ, visit the DJ Henry Dream Fund, view this video from the DJ Henry Dream Fund, view this video from CBS News, or read this social media post.

Held to coincide with DJ’s birthday, October 29, 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 brave spaces that challenge forms of oppression, and to create a starting point from which meaningful dialogue and action can be fostered for the entire Pace Community.

The week will kick-off with a digital memorial of DJ Henry on all three of its campuses. Curated by the Pace Community and the Henry family, the images displayed were selected to illustrate the life and lasting impact of DJ’s life and death. Throughout the week, there will also be original programming of more than 40 events focusing on a broad range of topics.

On Thursday, Nov. 2, at The Elisabeth Haub School of Law, a discussion will be held by Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah and a panel of experts. The discussion will focus on the conclusion to the independent reviews of the police-involved shooting deaths of DJ Henry and Kenneth Chamberlain, Jr.

"Social Justice Week is a special tradition that is unique to Pace University,” said Jeff Barnett, Ph.D., vice president for student affairs and dean for students. "It epitomizes and reinforces our commitment to the institutional values of centering the student experience and becoming an antiracist university. Social Justice Week helps foster education and advocacy for our students, faculty and staff, and the greater community."

Additional events during Social Justice Week include discussions on social justice for women in sports, a presentation of CBS 48 Hours "Defending DJ," which delves into the circumstances surrounding DJ Henry's death; a reading of literary works by student writers from the Writing for Diversity and Equity in Theater and Media program; an overview of the 51+ year history of Title IX; a walking tour exploring the history of slavery and resistance; a conversation addressing the issue of food insecurity, and a presentation that highlights the impact of unconscious white socialization on classroom decisions, particularly those affecting students of color.

A full schedule of events is available.

Director of Residential Life at Pace University in Pleasantville and Dyson Adjunct Professor Vinnie Birkenmeyer recently published an op-ed in The Journal News calling on state and county lawmakers to propose legislation — DJ’s Law — requiring specific training for law enforcement about best practices in different moving vehicle situations. At the time of DJ’s death, Birkenmeyer was a senior at Pace University and was serving as the president of the Student Government Association.

“I still count it as one the most pivotal moments in my life, and a large part of why I went into working in student affairs on college campuses — seeing the impact decisions made during tragedies can have on young adults and wanting be part of that support network,” Birkenmeyer wrote in his op-ed. “In the last 13 years I have been proud of the work done to keep DJ’s memory alive at Pace through the dedication of permanent structures to honor DJ on our Westchester and New York City campuses, telling DJ’s story in various venues, and most notably through the adoption of the annual DJ Henry Social Justice Week.”

“Pace University is committed to providing transformative experiences for our diverse student body, and our students display remarkable passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Stephanie Akunvabey, Ed.D., chief diversity officer at Pace University. "I admire the initiatives undertaken by the Pace Community during Social Justice Week and eagerly look forward to actively listening, engaging, and learning from the diverse array of 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.

Contains Video
No
In The Media

More Press Releases

From engineering to empathy: a journey into UX research

Seidenberg School of CSIS

Nishant Doshi moved from India to New York to make the most of the opportunities Pace has to offer—and he’s succeeding.

Seidenberg student Nishant Doshi stands before the Brooklyn Bridge
Seidenberg student Nishant Doshi stands before the Brooklyn Bridge on a cloudy day
Katie Todd

Nishant Doshi moved from India to New York to make the most of the opportunities Pace has to offer—and he’s succeeding.

We caught up with Nishant for a few questions to learn all about his adventures in UX research, the many projects he’s part of, and his advice for students considering human-centered design.

What brought you to Pace University?
During my undergraduate studies in computer engineering in India, I discovered a passion for graphic design while volunteering at a professional society. This experience sparked my interest in the intersection of technology and design, leading me to explore career opportunities in this domain. My journey led me to Pace University's MS in Human-Centered Design (HCD) program, where the curriculum aligned perfectly with my vision. Plus, the opportunity to study at the NYC downtown campus was impossible to resist! The location is very scenic, as stepping out you see the World Trade Center, which is a remarkable sight at night. My favorite spot in the city, pier 17, is also just a 10-minute walk away, which has a view of the Brooklyn Bridge that never gets boring!

What are some noteworthy projects you've worked on at Pace?
My academic journey at Pace University has afforded me the privilege of collaborating on a diverse range of projects with exceptionally talented peers and experienced faculty. One standout project was the "Access to Justice" project during the Research Methods for UX class, led by Professor Andreea Cotoranu. This multidisciplinary project spanned four months and involved regular collaborations with students from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law. It was both challenging and fulfilling, introducing me to teamwork across diverse backgrounds. Additionally, I had the opportunity to conduct remote user interviews to evaluate the usability of the Uber Eats app in a Human Factors & Usability Evaluation class under Professor Tony Wang.

The next project I'm embarking on is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing, thrilling, and intense endeavors of my academic journey. Under the NYC Design Factory, a select group of my peers and I have been chosen to participate in . . . a two week trip to Geneva, Switzerland, where we will work at CERN Ideasquare . . .

What have been your favorite classes so far, and what were they about?
One of my favorite classes to date has been Information Architecture, taught by Professor Lis Hubert. This course introduced me to the critical concept of structuring websites and applications with a focus on Users, Content, and Context. Our semester-long project involved evaluating the information architecture of Manduka.com, an e-commerce website specializing in yoga apparel and accessories. We conducted card sorts and tree tests to assess the website's effectiveness. The course was so enriching that many of us wished it were a core requirement rather than an elective.

Could you tell us about your role at the NYC Design Factory?
I'm incredibly fortunate to have been offered the role by Professor Cotoranu. As a Student Assistant, my responsibilities include planning and organizing design thinking workshops and activities, introducing the design thinking process to individuals new to the concept. I have the privilege of working in the newly constructed Seidenberg Design Factory Lounge, my favorite spot on campus (9th floor at 15 Beekman—ed). I'm also responsible for promoting the activities and events organized by the NYC Design Factory on social media. I'm excited about this opportunity and the chance to make a meaningful contribution.

What are your career aspirations upon graduating?
Upon graduating, I aspire to pursue a career as a UX researcher, which aligns with my ideal career path. I'm eager to work with outstanding companies and apply my knowledge to impactful, real-world projects. My strong interest in social work, which is rooted in the values of empathy, plays a significant role in my journey. These values were instilled in me from a young age, thanks to my family, and have greatly contributed to my development. It's worth noting that this strong foundation in empathy led to me being elected as the president of an international youth organization. I hope to contribute meaningfully to society in any way possible.

Tell us about the opportunities you've had at Pace
Pace University has consistently given me and my classmates many opportunities since the program started. One remarkable experience was my participation in a four-day design thinking virtual hackathon organized by Shenkar University of Art, Design, and Engineering in Israel through the NYC Design Factory. Working with people from diverse cultures and professional backgrounds, we ideated a solution for Monday.com, our client for the hackathon. This was the first project that allowed me to apply my academic knowledge to a non-academic context, resulting in an innovative extension to Monday.com's dashboard that utilizes AI, satellite imagery, and social media to aid first responders during disaster rescue missions by sourcing information from X (formerly Twitter) data. I've also had the privilege of interning at a tech startup in Chicago during summer of 2023, where I could apply my UX research and design skills to a real product. One memorable moment was when the CEO mentioned that students from the HCD program at Pace University that he had interviewed for the role stood out due to the experience and skills they portrayed. This is a testament to the quality of education at Pace University!

Image
Seidenberg students posing together before a Pace step and repeat
Start with friends, leave with family—the Pace experience fosters close friendships between students that turn into powerful professional networks.

What's next for you?
The next project I'm embarking on is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing, thrilling, and intense endeavors of my academic journey. Under the NYC Design Factory, a select group of my peers and I have been chosen to participate in the Challenge-Based Innovation A3 project. This project involves a two-week trip to Geneva, Switzerland, where we will work at CERN Ideasquare, located within the CERN campus. This intensive two weeks marks the beginning of a seven-month-long project under the Product Development course, led by Professors Andreea Cotoranu and Luke Cantarella. Our objective is to leverage CERN and Attract's big data and deep technology to design solutions in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. I am incredibly excited about this opportunity and look forward to sharing more as the project unfolds. Track the journey of Team Oculus, of which I am a part, as we ideate solutions for the years 2030, 2035, and beyond.

Any advice for other students?
My advice for fellow students considering this program is to always remain open to conversations, as they are the breeding ground for fresh ideas. Do not shy away from asking questions; curiosity is a cornerstone of design thinking as it fosters creativity and ideation. Finally, practice empathy. Seek help when you need it and offer your assistance to others in their times of need. This approach has allowed me to establish meaningful connections and cultivate a network of talented friends.

Anything else you'd like to add?
When I am not busy with work, you could find me reading UX articles (Yes, I do that for fun!) or strumming to classic rock ballads from the 80s on my guitar! I am also a big football (Soccer) fan, and I never miss an FC Barcelona match! If you'd like to follow my UX journey, please visit my portfolio.

Contains Video
No
Subscribe to