When Michael Falco took new course Game Development for Everyone, he never expected to end up building and coding his own arcade game—which you can play at its home on the Pleasantville Campus!
Michael Falco—who goes by Falco—came to Pace to study computer science with the hopes of building video games. When he took a new course, Game Development for Everyone, it opened up a world of possibilities and led to Falco not just programming but physically building an arcade-style game, which is playable in person on the Pleasantville campus.
Students like Falco who are deeply passionate about building games led to the creation of the new BS in Game Development, which launches Fall 24.
We asked Falco to tell us about how his passion for games was able to unfold and grow at Pace University.
What brought you to Pace University?
Originally when looking for a college I wanted somewhere far enough away to do my own thing but close enough to home that I could come home for Sunday dinner if I was inclined. When visiting the campus I liked how the freshman dorms weren't the typical cinder block asylums I saw at other places I visited.
Tell us about your experience with game development at Seidenberg
At the end of my sophomore year I began to grow frustrated with the lack of game development focused classes at Pace as that was something I was passionate about learning. Luckily enough, my junior year I took Game Development for Everyone (despite being advised not to, as I wouldn't receive any credits for it). It turned out to be the best decision I've made at this university, hands down. Game Development for Everyone which taught me more about scripting then some of my core Computer Science classes for my major. The class allowed for a lot of creative freedom when it came to the projects and it helped me get a grasp on the fundamentals of independent unity game development. I loved that class so much that the projects I worked on were the basis of my honors thesis.
What opportunities did you get at Pace?
During my time at Pace I had an abundance of help from every corner of this university—friends, faculty, and staff all gave me endless opportunities to develop myself and my career. The most notable opportunity was everything the Honors college offered, such as the mentor program and the thesis project. Because of the mentor program, I was able to meet new lifelong friends and was able to work part time and eventually move to full time in the Client Support Office doing IT work here at Pace University. While working full time, I developed my honors thesis which pushed me to work outside of my comfort zone of my own technical skill sets, as well as to reach out and network for talent to collaborate with. At one point, I was managing programming the game myself, coordinating with an artist and a musician, managing the budget for funding the materials, doing research, and working my full-time job. Needless to say, I was given ample opportunity to gain experience here
What’s next for you?
Currently I am finishing up my graduate degree, the MS in Cybersecurity here at Pace while still working IT. I hope to round out my toolset and apply for bigger and better things after graduation. As for game development, I am still passionate about the medium and see myself making more games in the future.
What advice do you have for future students?
The best advice I can give is be open to every opportunity. The staff at Pace—and especially Seidenberg—love opening doors for student creativity and expression as well as general skill set growth. Go to every event, meet new people and do the projects you are passionate about, even if nobody has done it before at Seidenberg.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Visit my website to play the games I've made so far! Also make sure to go to the Honors Lounge in Kessel Student Center on the Pleasantville campus to play my arcade game, **BurgerMancer** in person! For anything else you can reach me on LinkedIn!
Sachin Archer (BS in Computer Science ’25) is a Seidenberg student who traveled with the NYC Design Factory to Geneva, Switzerland during the Fall ’22 semester. While there, Sachin and his teammates met experts from CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, and collaborated with other teams from the Design Factory Global Network.
Nishant Doshi moved from India to New York to make the most of the opportunities Pace has to offer—and he’s succeeding.
Seidenberg professor James Lawler was awarded Best Conference Paper and Best Paper of the Innovative Education, Pedagogy and Teaching Track for "A Case Study for Enabling Autistic Students to Enter Best-of-Class Career Programs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)", at the 59th Annual Meeting of the Institute for Operations Research and Management Science.
Jack Nierenberg '25, an Art major and vice president of the transportation advocacy group Passengers United, shares insights on his impactful advocacy work and the art of blending economics and photography.
Class of 2025
Jack Nierenberg serves as vice president for transportation advocacy group Passengers United and was recently featured on NY1 after speaking at a Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) hearing on fare hikes.
As a native New Yorker, I have always been passionate about our public transportation, which I rely on every day. When I learned that Passengers United (a group that I had never heard of before) was able to get regular train service restored after it had been drastically cut, I knew I had to get involved. My volunteerism began with developing a brand, but I soon became active with the substance of the advocacy work. Many of Passengers United’s accomplishments are small, yet they make a profound difference for transit riders, particularly lower-income riders in the outer boroughs and regions, seniors, and those with disabilities. For example, I effectively petitioned the MTA to restore a critically important evening train in eastern Long Island that many essential workers rely on, something I am very proud of. Our work continues to strive to ensure that everyone has transit options that work for them.
I already had a background in film and video, especially since my father is a noted documentary filmmaker and, for many years, have been editing professionally both for him and others. I came to Pace, however, as an undecided student, as I had a feeling the answer to “what do I want to do for the rest of my life?” would change. I already had an interest in graphic design, so when I took two graphic design classes during my second semester, I knew this was the direction I wanted to go in my undergraduate studies. I also discovered a love for economics and have thus declared a minor in it.
I wanted to stay in New York, and when Pace accepted me into the Pforzheimer Honors College, I found the opportunity very compelling. I was also drawn by Pace’s overall atmosphere, that of a modern urban campus that still manages to have smaller, more intimate classes.
Throughout the course, taught by Professors Anna Shostya and Inbal Abergil, we were given several assignments to photographically document economic issues around us. Each assignment had an underlying theme (e.g., economic growth or discrimination), but the open-endedness of the assignments allowed us to cover more specific topics that, as students, we were passionate about. Ultimately, we each chose two or three photos for the exhibition that, together, created the most impactful stories. Predictably, I went right in to discuss the many prevalent issues around transportation in New York City, focusing on how the inequities in our public transit disproportionately affect those who live in the outer boroughs of the city.
Overall, this class was an opportunity to not just gain valuable insight, but actively empathize with the people involved and hopefully inspire others to do the same. It is especially meaningful to know that my work, as well as that of my talented peers, is helping to spark necessary change in the world.
At this point, I’ve taken three graphic design and two photography classes in the Art Department, and I’ve been thoroughly enjoying them! My professors, Robert Wilson, Anders Goldfarb, and Jillian McDonald, are very knowledgeable and engaging, and the work itself has been very rewarding.
I was involved with the Commuter Student Organization at Pace, which, at the time, was the only one on the New York City campus that specifically supported commuter students and advocated on their behalf. In fact, I was one of the students who got the organization back up and running in my second semester. Getting a student lounge on campus was a major thing we advocated for, and I am very pleased that one is finally in the works! I have also been somewhat active with the Student Government Association and look forward to checking out more clubs on campus, including the Photography Club.
“It is especially meaningful to know that my work, as well as that of my talented peers, is helping to spark necessary change in the world.”
I have decided to pursue a master’s degree in urban planning with a focus on transportation equity and am looking into various graduate programs for that.
Your passion can be expressed in a way that can not only benefit you but also better our world, and I believe it's very important to try to do that, even in small ways. Trust your intuition, don't lose hope, and keep persisting. However long it takes to realize your contribution to the world, keep reminding yourself that your existence is valuable.
Pace University will host At a Point of Change II, an outdoor student photography exhibition, which will be on view in front of One Pace Plaza from May 1–15 before moving to Pace’s Westchester campus until October 1.
Anastasia Khanukov, highlights her unique path from an interest in politics and international relations to a deep dive into economics and research, exploring topics that impact society profoundly.
This past summer, Clinical Assistant Professor of Art Derek Stroup, MFA, and Katie Romanyshyn ‘25, Film and Screen Studies, engaged in a faculty-student collaboration through the Amelia A. Gould Assistantship that expanded both of their creative boundaries and artistic possibilities in the most unexpected of ways.
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University is proud to announce the selection of its second class of Sustainable Business Law Hub Student Scholars. The Sustainable Business Law Hub Student Scholars Program (“Hub Scholars Program”) was launched in early 2023 as a key component of the Sustainable Business Law Hub in creating the next generation of sustainable business and ESG (environmental, social and governance) lawyers. This year, five additional students have been selected to serve as Sustainable Business Law Hub Student Scholars (“Hub Scholars”) and will benefit from ESG internships and externships at prestigious law firms, financial institutions and businesses.
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University is proud to announce the selection of its second class of Sustainable Business Law Hub Student Scholars. The Sustainable Business Law Hub Student Scholars Program (“Hub Scholars Program”) was launched in early 2023 as a key component of the Sustainable Business Law Hub in creating the next generation of sustainable business and ESG (environmental, social and governance) lawyers. This year, five additional students have been selected to serve as Sustainable Business Law Hub Student Scholars (“Hub Scholars”) and will benefit from ESG internships and externships at prestigious law firms, financial institutions and businesses.
“The Hub Scholars Program has been a tremendous addition to our Sustainable Business Law Hub,” said Jason Czarnezki, Kerlin Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law and Associate Dean of Environmental Law Programs and Strategic Initiatives, as well as inaugural Faculty Director of the Hub. “Last year’s inaugural class of six Hub Scholars gained ESG experience in a variety of settings, as interns at law firms, working with in-house legal teams, as well as within an NGO/government body. These experiences have allowed our top students interested in ESG and sustainable business to pursue these interests in a meaningful way.”
The Sustainable Business Law Hub Scholars Program is a curricular, scholarship, and mentorship program for students pursuing careers in sustainable business law and as ESG lawyers. The highly-selective program is designed for students with outstanding entrance credentials and a well-articulated passion for pursuing a career at the intersection of sustainability, business law, and environmental law. Hub Scholars will have the opportunity to receive practical training and experience in using the law to foster sustainable business practices through an internship/externship experience with an ESG practice group in a law firm, under the guidance of in-house counsel within a corporate entity, or within an NGO/government body working in the ESG space. Hub Scholars can also take advantage of targeted training workshops and programs that will prepare them for these externship experiences while working closely with a faculty supervisor and a professional mentor in the field to develop their interests and to identify networking and job opportunities.
Maggie Pahl ’23 was a member of the inaugural class of Sustainable Business Law Hub Student Scholars. She describes the experience as one of the most formative experiences during her time at Haub Law. “My participation as a Hub Scholar gave me the opportunity to meet and talk with lawyers and business leaders that are as equally passionate as I am about sustainable business,” said Maggie. “Being an inaugural scholar was especially exciting because the inception of the Hub came at a time when US and EU mandatory ESG disclosure laws were at their infancy. The textbooks and law review articles on novel sustainable business topics are being written (and re-written as international regulatory updates are released) at this very moment. Haub Law is at the forefront of producing a new generation of ESG lawyers, and I was fortunate enough to be part of that. The Sustainable Business Law Hub will produce great research and a strong network for future Haub Law students to tap into and the environment will benefit as a result.”
During the course of their studies, students receive curricular guidance that will allow them to receive the Advanced Environmental Law Certificate while pursuing courses relevant to sustainable business law, including the Business Law Path to Practice and the option to pursue an MBA with the Lubin School of Business as part of the joint JD/MBA program. Haub Law also offers courses on sustainable business law which include topics such as the definition of ESG, corporate responsibility and the triple bottom line; the role of the corporate board in achieving sustainability; social impact investing and ESG ratings; and ESG and climate disclosures, voluntary ESG reporting and risk management. Importantly, Hub Scholars will also have access to a wide network of Haub Law alumni, Lubin alumni, the Hub’s Advisory Board, and subsequent Hub Scholar alumni, who serve as mentors to new Hub Scholars.
Haub Law’s Sustainable Business Law Hub serves as an incubator space, student-training program, research endeavor, and think tank devoted to addressing global sustainability challenges through policy and research projects, relationships with the business community, and capacity building in private environmental governance. The Hub incorporates the three pillars of sustainability—economic, social and environmental welfare—into global business practices by engaging in research and policy development, improving public law and governance, and working with existing industry, the small business community, startups, and the community at-large to develop and employ innovative private environmental models and sustainability practices, such as those that promote a circular economy. Working hand-in-hand with faculty experts, students participating in the Hub receive practical training and experience in using the law to foster sustainable business practices.
Ashley Han is a JD candidate at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, pursuing an Advanced Certificate in Environmental Law and a Business Law-Financial Compliance Path to Practice Track. She graduated from Syracuse University with a BA in Sociology. During her time at Haub Law, Ashley interned for Pfizer's Global Supply Division and Paul Weiss' Sustainability & ESG Advisory Practice. She also was a research assistant for Policy Research Director Thomas Bourgeois at the Land Use Law Center and a judicial intern for Judge Seibel at the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Ashley is currently serving as a Senior Associate for the Pace Environmental Law Review and a student intern for the Food and Farm Business Clinic.
Hailey Pedicano is a 3L at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, working towards a JD Degree with an Advanced Certificate in Environmental Law. Prior to law school, Hailey worked in marketing as a Project Manager, a role that frequently involved corporate stewardship communications. This largely drove her interest in becoming a Sustainable Business Law Scholar. Last year, Hailey co-led the Sustainable Business Panel featured at the New Directions in Environmental Law academic conference. This past summer, Hailey worked as a Summer Associate at Cuddy & Feder, LLP., and she spent her 1L summer as a Summer Law Clerk at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Currently, Hailey is a Land Use Scholar at the Pace Land Use Law Center and a Senior Associate on the Pace Law Review. She is also a Student Attorney for the Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic.
Joshua Briggs is a JD candidate at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, pursuing an Advanced Certificate in Environmental Law. He is a dedicated professional with a deep passion for energy policy and sustainability. Through his legal internships at organizations like the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Center for Progressive Reform, and the Pace Energy & Climate Center, he has gained valuable insights into the complexities of energy regulation and planning. An environmental storyteller, Joshua has a BA in digital media management and worked as a filmmaker prior to law school. Upon graduation, he hopes to combine his passions for the environmental and storytelling to advance a sustainable energy future.
Karina Krul is a JD candidate at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. Next Fall she will begin pursuing her master’s degree at Yale. Karina graduated in 2019 with a BS in Marine Biology from the University of New Haven. She completed her Honors Thesis on how environmental awareness effects attitude toward sustainable development, which she presented at the 2019 Society of Applied Anthropology Annual Meeting. She is currently a junior associate for Pace International Law Review, an intern with the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations, and a Law Clerk at Richman Law & Policy, an impact litigation firm that uses consumer protection law to hold corporations accountable for their environmental representations. Karina is passionate about a future that operates through inclusive, environmentally sound governance by ensuring every stakeholder gets a seat at the table. This summer, she will be a law clerk with Earthjustice.
Morgan E. Martin graduated from Rollins College in 2021 with a degree in Public Policy and Political Economy. Before she came to law school, she moved to Bali Indonesia to volunteer for an NGO where she taught English and sustainability lessons in a local village and worked on a coral reef restoration project. During her first year of law school, she volunteered at the Land Use Law Center. She is currently a Junior Associate for Pace Environmental Law Review and Vice-Chair for the Jeffery G. Miller National Environmental Moot Court Competition. This past summer she worked for a boutique corporate litigation firm in Manhattan, and she is still working for them part time. She will be a summer associate for Fenwick & West in their corporate practice. Morgan hopes to pursue a career in Sustainable Business practices, and perhaps gravitating towards the climate-tech field as it emerges.
Brianna Grimes is a 3L at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. She graduated in 2019 from Syracuse University with a BA in Biology. During law school, Brianna has joined many organizations and undertaken numerous leadership roles, including serving as Managing Editor of the Pace Environmental Law Review. In the past, Brianna has worked as a Maritime & International Law Extern with the United States Coast Guard Judge Advocate General, a Judicial Intern for Judge Richard Sullivan in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and as a Summer Associate in Baker Botts' Washington, DC Environmental, Safety, and Incident Response team. She was recently selected as a Knauss Fellow by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Sea Grant program and plans to move to Washington, DC in February to begin her one-year fellowship.
Brooke Mercaldi is a dual degree candidate at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law and the Yale School of the Environment, and she will graduate with her JD and Master of Environmental Management after the Fall 2023 semester. Brooke is currently at Yale where she is a Fellow in Yale Law School’s Law, Ethics & Animals Program and a Research Assistant in its Climate Change & Animal Agriculture Litigation Initiative. Throughout the dual degree program, Brooke has completed internships in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, ACT Commodities Inc., and Save the Sound. Brooke also worked in Haub Law’s Land Use Law Center and Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies, and she served as a Research & Writing Editor for the Pace Environmental Law Review.
“This is the nightmare scenario that to millions of Americans is unfathomable but realistically possible,” Bennett Gershman, a former New York prosecutor and law professor at Pace University, told Salon. “It is also the scenario that millions of Americans look forward to with glee and the opportunity for retribution against the enemies of Trump.” Ultimately, the Supreme Court will “need to step up and prevent Trump’s plot to abuse his power,” Gershman said. Invoking the insurrection act and the ex-president’s plan to punish critics is “obviously unconstitutional.”
Pace’s School of Education is working with the White Plains School District to help address the teacher shortage.
Professor Bennett Gershman speaks with ABC Australia regarding Trump’s trial.
Amity University Noida and Pace University explore potential areas of collaboration, India Education Diary reports. A high- level delegation from PACE University, USA, comprising of Dr. John Meletiadis, Assistant Dean, Lubin School of Business, Dr. Sonia Suchday, Chair of Psychology, Pace Board of Trustees Member and Prof. PV Viswanath, Graduate Program Chair, Department of Finance, visited Amity University Noida. The aim of the visit was to explore higher education opportunities for Amity students at PACE University and the areas, wherein the two Universities can collaborate.
Dyson Professor Sheying Chen speaks with WalletHub about medical payments coverage.
Pace University political science professor Kerriann Stout said local officials decide what infrastructure is repaired, how much funding is provided to schools, police and DPW's. "If you care about how fast 911 responds or care about where your water comes from or who is picking up your trash," said Stout.
I recently had the incredible pleasure of watching a short film that was produced by a group of students at Pace University through a program called PaceDocs (including my friend Jerry McKinstry, Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs at Pace and, in this case, adult student, who introduced me to the film). The documentary For the Love of Food showcased the slow food movement – farm to table – in France and in Westchester. It makes the case for sustainability, and slow cooking and dining. The experience of watching this film, which showcases the most delectable ingredients and results, was sheer pleasure to the eyes, as well as my palette (well, in my imagination).