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Spring ’23 Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate Sindy Beato, discovered that fighting to overcome obstacles to reach a goal is worth the challenge and the definition of a Pace Go-Getter. Her achievements are a great example of where your Pace Path can lead you, and how determination and utilizing Pace resources will help you succeed.

Sindy’s story is one of constant persistence, despite the challenges and setbacks she faced. From a young age, she knew she wanted a career in nursing. Though determined to get into her top choice for health professions-focused high school, she did not score high enough on the entrance exam. This disappointment didn’t stop her, rather driving her to realize that this was her opportunity to achieve exemplary grades at a different school to get into an amazing university, like the Lienhard School of Nursing (LSN) at Pace University. Once she visited the Pleasantville campus and toured the labs, “I was certain that this was where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life,” she said.

Sindy was ecstatic to begin her journey at LSN and was ready to put in the hard work to succeed in the program. Yet, personal challenges made it difficult to balance it all.

“During this time, I was in between homes, working full time while being a full-time student, trying to keep up with Pace’s very demanding nursing curriculum,” Sindy explained. “This was a trying period in my life because I was transitioning into being a fully independent adult living on my own and supporting myself financially while simultaneously trying to maintain good grades.”

This resulted in Sindy not completing one of the required nursing courses and set her back a year. Once again facing a roadblock, she knew that defeat was not an option and was determined to fight for her scholarship and her place in the nursing program.

“I had to take a hard look at myself and realize that I needed to work harder than the average student in order to one day get to where I wanted to be. What motivated me and kept me going through this time was the desire to find stability.”

Career Services was instrumental in guiding Sindy on her journey to her dream career as she worked with career counselor Paula Kramer to increase her chances of success. “It’s a privilege to work with students who take their career search seriously and take advantage of the resources available through Pace’s Career Services office to help them achieve their goals,” Paula said. “Sindy was very engaged with Career Services - in addition to getting help with polishing her resume, she worked with me to hone her interview skills and took advantage of all the tools we have to offer for each step of the career process.  The proof of these efforts is in the result – landing her dream job at NY-Presbyterian!”

Go-Getter Sindy has since passed her NCLEX and has accepted a full-time position at NYP Morgan Stanley. “I couldn't be happier with how things are going and feel grateful for Pace University and all the life curves that landed me where I am today.”

Stunning cloud forests, sprawling coastlines, and dense wetlands—Costa Rica’s rich and unique topography makes it an ideal location to study ecology. Through a new combined degree program, launched in Fall 2023, students can now earn a Bachelor of Science in biology from Pace in three years before completing a Master of Science in Ecology and Society at Costa Rica’s University for Peace (UPeace), just outside Ciudad Colón, in under two years.

Here are five reasons why this 3+2 program is a life-changing opportunity.

1. One-of-a-kind immersive experiences in Costa Rica

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Costa Rica is one of the most ecologically rich locations in the world. Through the Master of Science in Ecology and Society at UPeace, students will have the incredible opportunity to do hands-on research in unique field sites such as the Osa Peninsula in southwestern peninsula of Costa Rica, the Monteverde Cloud Forest region, the Manquenque National Refuge in the Northern Region, and a variety of managed forests within driving distance of the university.

Through these immersive experiences, students hone important research skills. “You're going to get graduate-level ecology where you're really drilling down and understanding the ecosystems,” said Professor of Biology Bill Eaton, PhD, who has spearheaded the connection between Pace and UPeace. “You’re understanding the statistics and how to study them, how to collect samples, how to set up research projects.”

2. Unique program linking ecology and society

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The University for Peace was founded by the United Nations in 1980 as a center for irenology (the study of peace and justice) and is the world’s leading educational institution in peace and conflict resolution. Programs at the University, therefore, inherently weave issues of social justice, conflict resolution, and global policy into the curriculum.

The Master of Science in Ecology and Society is one of the only programs of its kind in North America. Throughout the program, students explore the innate connection between the environment and society.

“There's nothing that you can study in ecology or environmental science that doesn't have a cultural link to it, whether the culture is affecting the system, or the system is affecting the culture,” said Eaton. “This program is unique in that every course intimately links the ecological pieces with the societal pieces. We don’t treat it as a segmented monster.”

In the graduate portion of the program, students take courses such as Forests, Forestry, and Poverty; Community Ecology; and Tropical Ecosystem Assessment. Available electives include courses such as Natural Resource Management, Climate Change Governance, and Environment, Conflicts, and Sustainability.

3. Affordable tuition and cost of living

In most cases, completing a bachelor’s and master’s degree takes at least six years. Therefore, the ability to complete both programs in under five years saves students not only time but a year’s worth of tuition. Additionally, tuition at UPeace is significantly less expensive than graduate tuition at most American universities.

The cost of living in Costa Rica is also quite affordable. Eaton mentions that apartments in walking distance from campus cost around $500–$700 per month in rent. He also notes that food prices are low and that transportation to and from campus and to Ciudad Colón is easy and inexpensive.

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4. Smooth transition from Pace to UPeace

Students who complete their biology degree at Pace will be well prepared for the Ecology and Society program at UPeace, Eaton assures. He notes that biology undergraduates at Pace are often heavily involved in research, often partnering with faculty on significant projects. Eaton ensures that his own undergraduate students finish their bachelor’s degree with publishable work to their name.

And Eaton himself serves as the linchpin between the Pace and UPeace programs and teaches two courses in the first semester of the master’s program. Students, therefore, have a friendly face in Costa Rica, as Eaton serves not only as a professor in the program but as a mentor and resource for students making the transition to living and learning abroad. Additionally, all courses in the program are taught in English.

5. Exciting career opportunities

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Students graduate from this combined program as trained ecological scientists. According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, positions in this field are projected to grow 6 percent over the next decade, a faster rate than the national average.

These degrees open the door to a world of career possibilities, including jobs at the local, national, and international levels in the public and private sectors, as well as the option to continue study in a PhD program, law school, or medical school. Potential opportunities include ecological scientist, forester, conservation scientist, natural resource and wildlife manager, recreation manager, environmental assessment scientist, sustainability scientist, city planner, and public school or college science educator.

“And the wonderful thing about this program is that students are internationally connected,” said Eaton. “You’re in a UN-sanctioned degree program, and you’re meeting people from all over the world—not just students, but visiting professors and dignitaries that come over as well.”

Students interested in the program should contact Professor of Biology Bill Eaton, PhD, for more information on the application process and course requirements.

I often say that the Pace Community is a family, and when I glance across this issue of Pace Now—which really means that when I look across our campuses this month—what I see is everyone in the Pace family coming together to celebrate the great things we’re accomplishing.

Next Wednesday, we’ll be celebrating 15 Beekman Day, full of events to celebrate our beautiful new living, learning, and community space at the corner of Beekman and Nassau streets in New York City (or as the tagline on the cool new tote bags some lucky 15 Beekman Day participants will get their hands on says, “at the corner of opportunity and visibility”). The highlight of the day will be the formal ribbon-cutting, at 12:15 p.m., featuring Board Chair Rob Sands, JD ’85, remarks from other University leaders, plus food and festivities. But there will also be other mini-celebrations throughout the day, from a meet-and-greet with the Learning Commons at 11:15 in the morning to cupcakes and painting with Residential Life at 6:15 in the afternoon, all getting into that 15 theme.

Elsewhere in this issue, we’re covering the Homecoming celebrations coming up in Pleasantville later this month, a chance to reconnect with alumni and friends, cheer on our teams, and of course join the annual Homecoming bonfire. There’s also the faculty and staff tailgate hosted by Athletics on October 7.

We also have also stories about new classes in the library to help teach students How to Adult, a new course in Pleasantville on piloting drones, and Seidenberg student Sachin Archer, who came to our New York City Campus from Jamaica—and then had the chance to go either farther afield and travel with the Design Factory to Switzerland to continue his academic work.

As for me, I’m busy rooting for all our Setters—on and off the fields, and across all our campuses. I’m excited by everything you’re up to, the projects covered here in Pace Now and the things we have yet to discover. I look forward to seeing you out and about, learning what you’re up to, and reading about your next triumphs. And I’ll hope to see lots of you at the 15 Beekman ribbon-cutting next week!

Last month, more than 865,000 people tuned in to MTV’s Video Music Awards. In addition to seeing a wild amount of celebrities and A-listers, viewers also got the opportunity to watch as twelve Pace students and recent graduates of the BFA in Commercial Dance program took the stage alongside powerhouse performers like Doja Cat, Shakira, Olivia Rodrigo, and Karol G.

We spoke with Joanne Daquigan '22, Jada Clark '22, and Tiffani Russell '23 who performed with Doja Cat alongside her Pace peers Aaliyah Zolina, Gabby Rembert, and Jada Ballard. Read about their experiences on stage at the VMAs.

For many of the Pace students and alumni performing, this was your first time performing at MTV’s Video Music Awards (VMAs). What did the experience mean to you, and would you consider your 'demons' performance the first of many big gigs to come?

Jada Clark: This experience meant the world to me. Ever since I was a little girl I was dancing in front of the TV when any music video or award show would come on. I have dreamed of being able to perform on a stage as big as the VMAs, so to finally be able to do it felt like I was not only making my younger self proud, but I was doing what I believed I was always meant to.

Tiffani Russell: Being able to dance at the VMAs was truly a dream come true for me. When I was a kid, I was enamored of the dancers on TV. Having the opportunity to be part of such an iconic performance and an annual tradition celebrating both music and dance is an honor beyond measure. There is no doubt in my mind that I made my little self proud. From rehearsals to the performance, the experience was extraordinary. From this experience, I have gained a stronger appreciation for performing for artists and amplifying their stories. The manifestation of much more is therefore on its way.

Joanne Daquigan: In the commercial dance program, we are required to take a Choreography on Camera class during our LA semester where we would analyze different types of on-screen choreography such as film, television, commercials, and more. One of our projects was to study a live award show performance and plan our own. I chose Ariana Grande's “God is a Woman” VMA performance in 2018 and would always think how cool it would be to be a part of something like that.

Jada: It was my first time dancing on national television, first time dancing behind a music artist, let alone one as big as Doja Cat, and apart from theater it was the first commercial dance job I have booked since graduating. Although this was a big first I would definitely consider it the beginning of many opportunities to come. I was able to build so many connections with the choreographer, her assistant, and all of my fellow dancers which makes me certain our paths will cross again.

Joanne: I had "VMAs" on both my list of dream jobs and vision board for this year, right underneath "movie musical or film," which I also got to complete this year when I booked my first job with Mean Girls the Musical coming to theaters in 2024. Getting to cross both of those experiences off those lists was truly an indescribable feeling. I can't wait to continue crossing off that list as my career continues.

With the level of talent in the room, did you feel like you were prepared as performers? Did your education inform your performance?

Joanne: I was most definitely nervous, but I believe that I was very prepared walking into those rehearsal rooms. As previously mentioned, we studied VMA performances during our LA semester and did many exercises that involved dancing in front of the camera in class. It was surreal getting to experience everything behind the scenes that you used to talk about in class. I would be in the middle of dancing and think "Oh, wow—That's the type of camera that our professor taught us about.” It was so interesting getting to apply everything that I learned into real life.

Jada: Although the level of talent in the room was equal parts inspiring and intimidating, I felt fully equipped to handle this experience. My education at Pace has played a significant role in how I navigate professional dance opportunities. Since my training was so diverse I am able to feel comfortable and capable doing almost anything that is asked of me. Another huge takeaway from my time at Pace was the countless number of experiences we had working with guest choreographers and teachers. Having already been exposed to working with industry professionals has made me feel more confident in my ability to take direction and communicate with not only my peers, but those who are leading the room as well.

Tiffani: Our Commercial Dance Lab teaches us how to audition and how to act through rehearsals with both resident choreographers and guest choreographers. Although Pace University provided me with valuable knowledge, it was not the only factor that contributed to my success. It was a pleasure to be surrounded by 29 talented females who contributed to an atmosphere of positivity created by Ebony Williams and Ardyn Flynt, the choreographer and associate choreographer, respectively. Due to the amount of laughs shared, eight-hour rehearsal days did not feel like eight hours. It was fun.

What was it like to perform alongside Doja Cat, a veritable megastar, in such a highly visible way?

Tiffani: Doja Cat—Amala—is an exceptional human being who is both visionary and kind. A true superstar, she is. The creativity she exhibited was inspiring, and I am grateful to have seen it in person.

Jada: Performing alongside Doja Cat was such an amazing once in a lifetime experience. She was so kind and appreciative of all of our hard work as dancers to help her put on such a big performance. It was also so inspiring to see how hard she worked and that made me want to push myself just as much in support of her and all of the talented individuals in the room.

Joanne: I love commercial dance because it is so accessible! My family hasn’t seen me dance in about five or six years since I moved to New York for Pace, so getting to book the VMAs gave them the opportunity to watch me through their television screens. I also didn't grow up seeing a lot of professional dancers that looked like me or came from my hometown. Pursuing a career in the performing arts industry was looked at more like a pipe dream to my peers growing up, but this was an opportunity to show them that I did have the capability to make my goals a reality.

Jada: Getting to see the humanity in someone who is regarded as such a superstar by the world was special and is one of the biggest things I will takeaway from that day. As dancers, the music that these artists create drives our careers and is a significant point of inspiration for us, so to create art alongside her was an energy unlike any other.

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How did you land the job and how intense were rehearsals? How do you balance life, school, and career?

Joanne: I received this private audition through my agency, MSA. It was about 60 women initially, which later got cut down to about 30. I was fortunate to book the job through that audition and start two weeks later on my birthday.

Tiffani: The rehearsals were intense; my body was so sore. There was a day that I could barely move my neck and back. However, I would not trade it for anything in the world. In order for me to do this job, I had to take off my side job at Body Roll Studio and push back choreography dates. My sole focus for two weeks was rehearsals for this particular gig.

Jada: The work load of rehearsals was intense, but it was such a fun environment which made it all completely worth it. The choreographer, Ebony Williams, and her assistant, Ardyn Flynt, created beautiful yet very physical and challenging movement. That combined with thirty dancers and all of the technical elements that were incorporated into the performance, required a lot of work and focus from everyone.

Joanne: I was actually booked on another dance job at the same time. I was in my second week of rehearsals with Step One Dance Company/RWS Entertainment for the Holland America Cruise Lines. Usually, jobs don't allow you to do double duty like I did, but the team at RWS was so gracious and allowed me to do so. The rehearsals for Doja were long with 12:00 p.m.–8:00 pm. days. Although the choreography was intense, rehearsals did not feel overbearing because the wonderful choreography team (Ebony Williams & Ardyn Flynt) just treated us so well and made the learning process so smooth. Doja Cat, herself, also was incredibly kind to us. Going to work every day that week was the epitome of the phrase "Do what you love, and it will never feel like work." It did get a tad bit difficult, personally, to come from VMAs rehearsal to learn choreography that I missed for the cruise off of video at night, but I made it work because I was so passionate about both jobs.

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On the YouTube video of the performance, there's a comment that got 23,000+ upvotes. The comment is "The backup dancers deserve a raise cuz… WTF 😭 ." What's your first response to that?

Jada: FACTS! I am very happy to see comments like this one because it shows that other people can see not only our hard work, but the value in what we do. Often times dancers get overlooked in terms of fair pay and treatment on sets, when we are asked to do more work and take significant safety risks. Fortunately the room was lead by a fellow dancer who was able to look out for us in this regard, but a lot of people don’t realize how physically taxing dance can be. A lot of hours of strenuous work goes into creating a performance of that magnitude. It only lasts minutes for the audience and there are lots of things that don’t even get seen on television. I love what I do and all of the hard work that comes with it and I don’t do it for the recognition, but it feels amazing to be appreciated and seen as more than just something in the background. The dancers were a significant part of that performance and I am truly honored to have been apart of it.

Tiffani: The incredibly high speed wind, paper flying, hours of getting painted red, and wig installation were amazing features that added to the vision that was created for this performance. The comment is really funny; I think I saw it when I watched it back on YouTube the following day. We were well-compensated for our time and abilities. I am just very grateful to be on the stage.

Joanne: I thought the comment was hilarious. We all saw it on the bus on the way back and just laughed, but honestly, we do deserve a raise and not just for this job. I believe that dancers should be recognized and paid more for all types of commercial jobs. It is the job of dancers to highlight the artist, make them stand out, and be a reason why a viewer decides to keep watching. The most popular award show performances on TikTok or YouTube are the ones with phenomenal visuals or choreography. Aside from award shows, dance is everywhere—commercials, billboards, or even movement direction for actors. Many don't realize how vital dancers are for entertainment.

Sue Maxam, EdD, has been at Pace for 35 years! She began as a Cooperative Education Coordinator and was most recently the Assistant Provost for Special Projects and Retention Initiatives. However, as of September 1, Maxam stepped into her newest role as Assistant Provost for Wellness, where she will oversee Pace’s Center for Wellbeing and all the initiatives and opportunities related to wellness.

She shared with us more details about what the center is doing, its upcoming plans, and her hopes for how the Pace Community can get involved.

What is the Center for Wellbeing and why is it important to the Pace Community?

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The American Psychological Association (2022) reported that in a recent survey, 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem, and almost three quarters of students suffered from moderate or severe psychological distress over the past few years. Of course, mental health issues are not limited to college students. TimelyCare (2023) reported that two-thirds of higher education professionals have experienced mental health issues, such as anxiety, psychological distress, depression, and burnout, at some point in their career.

By partnering with departments and students throughout the entire University, the newly established Center for Wellbeing seeks to create a culture of wellness and kindness by connecting students, faculty and staff to resources and opportunities that prioritize wellbeing and empower them to take action.

In your new role, what are some things you hope the Center for Wellbeing can accomplish?

Building upon the foundation that the former Chief Wellness Officer Harriet Feldman, had put in place, and working in partnership with so many people and units throughout the University, we have already been able to accomplish a great deal in a short amount of time.

We would like to continue creating a “community of care” that prioritizes health, wellbeing, kindness, and inclusion. To that end, below are just a few recent initiatives, carried out in close partnership with members of the Pace Community:

• Wellness Wednesdays, which are weekly common hour sessions relating to the eight dimensions of wellness
• Kindness Committee, which comprises 60+ students, faculty, and staff working to promote kindness throughout the University
• RADical Health Program, a four-week mental health and wellness program focused on resilience, connections, engagement, and stress management
• Healthy cooking demos hosted by the Nutrition and Dietetics Department
• Food Insecurity Task Force
• Partnerships with outside organizations like Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation; The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation; Inspiring Futures; and RADical Hope Foundation.
• Wellbeing Fairs: To be held the week of February 12, 2024
• Mental Health First Aid and Kognito: Virtual and in-person training programs to promote mental health and wellbeing.

More and more, there’s a greater focus on self-care—we see it online, on TV, in pop-culture—but what does self-care really mean and why is it important?

Research shows that self-care fosters positive health outcomes, such as strengthening resilience, living longer, becoming better equipped to manage stress, and feeling more physical, mentally and emotionally healthy.

Self-care means taking care of yourself so that you can be healthy (in every sense of the word), do your job, help and care for others, and do all the things you need and want to accomplish in a day. After all, as the saying goes, you cannot serve from an empty vessel!

There are myriad ways to engage in self-care, including exercise; eating nutritious foods; journaling; meditating; praying; connecting with others; going for a walk; spending time in nature; reading or listening to a book; asking for help; scheduling a routine medical appointment; going screen-free for a few hours; engaging in hobbies; getting enough sleep; etc. The list is endless! Everyone needs to make the time to prioritize self-care!

October is Emotional Wellness Month. What are some ways that members of the Pace Community can participate?

There is so much going on at Pace that people can tap into as well as activities they can do on their own throughout the month and beyond! Here’s a sampling:

• Participate in wellness-related sessions at Social Justice Week the last week of October
• Join the kindness and/or wellbeing committees by emailing kindness@pace.edu or wellness@pace.edu
• Participate in our Wellness Wednesday series on each campus
• Attend one of HR’s Health Fairs on each campus
• Learn about and practice Mindfulness as highlighted on CHP’s website
• Refer students to the Counseling Center’s Welltrack Boost app, a self-guided, clinically supported set of wellness tools
• Take Born This Way Foundation’s asynchronous mental health certificate program “Be There”

If there is one thing you want the Pace Community to know about the Center for Wellbeing, Pace’s wellness initiatives, or the importance of taking care of oneself, what would it be?

Partnerships with the Pace Community are key to our success! Please contact us at smaxam@pace.edu or wellbeing@pace.edu to offer feedback/input; make recommendations; ask questions; or collaborate and/or take advantage of the many initiatives, resources and programs we currently offer and/or will be rolling out. We are all in this together in our collective efforts to foster a culture that prioritizes health, wellbeing, kindness, and inclusivity!

Adulting is hard, but you don’t have to do it alone.

There are many life lessons you can’t learn in the classroom, and the Pace Library is helping fill in the gaps with their community-led workshop series Adulting 101.

Think you might have something worth sharing? The Library is looking for faculty and staff who can share their expertise in brief, conversational, fun talks. Past workshops have included “Financial Literacy” and “Job Search, Resume Writing, and the Interview.” A recent survey shows particular student interest in subjects such as:

• Mindfulness/mental health: looking for helpful strategies, understanding available resources and how to use them.
• Sewing: looking for info on homemade clothing, tailoring, and repair
• Insurance: understanding the purpose of insurance, kinds of insurance, and when and how to get insurance.
• Local politics: understanding different kinds of local offices and how to get involved.
• Parenting: learning how to prepare a baby bottle, how to handle teething, potty-training, etc.
• Taxes: learning how to prepare your taxes, how to hire a tax professional, what to avoid, and what resources to use.

If you’re interested in leading a workshop on any of these topics, or any others not mentioned, send an email to Rose Gillen at rgillen@pace.edu (for Pleasantville) or to Jennifer Rosenstein at jrosenstein@pace.edu (for NYC).

Danny Canales

Class of 2024

Currently Studying: BBA in Arts and Entertainment Management

Member Of: Frequency Acapella, Latin American Student Organization (LASO), Pace Volleyball Club

Pronouns: He/Him

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Although he's far away from home, Danny Canales '24 is finding his on-campus family at the Lubin School of Business. Not only is the native Los Angeleno building a network within our AEM program, but he is also creating a community within several organizations that promote culture, the arts, and athletics.

Why did you choose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business?

It has always been a dream of mine to study in New York City, and the Lubin School of Business BBA in Arts and Entertainment Management program merged my love for the entertainment business and management into one immersive major. Pace University offered my desired course of study, and I haven't looked back since.

Clubs provide a sense of "family" on campus. Being from Los Angeles, these organizations have introduced me to lifelong friends and have granted me opportunities I would have never imagined. These clubs have enriched my student experience because they allow me to be a contributing member of the Pace community and ensure I always have something to do while on campus.

How have clubs on campus helped enrich your student experience?

They provide a sense of "family" on campus. Being from Los Angeles, these organizations have introduced me to lifelong friends and have granted me opportunities I would have never imagined. These clubs have enriched my student experience because they allow me to be a contributing member of the Pace community and ensure I always have something to do while on campus.

You serve as the President of the Latin American Student Organization (LASO). Why was it important for you to go after this leadership role?

As the son of two immigrants from Mexico and El Salvador, I've always been taught to view my heritage with the highest level of pride. LASO has granted me the opportunity to lead the Latinx student body—it's important to me because it allows me to be the voice and representation for my people on campus. This honor that was humbly bestowed on me, and the notion of being the leader of this organization, is a blessing.

How has being part of LASO impacted your experience as a student?

Being part of LASO has given me a family on campus that I can rely on and relate to on a spiritual level. Being surrounded by people with similar upbringings and the same appreciation for our culture has been a true blessing. It has also allowed me to network with so many other cultural organizations around campus and opened my eyes to the endless collaboration opportunities with them.

Why is it important for students to be involved with student organizations?

Being involved allows students to take advantage of what our school offers. Being a student goes beyond the four walls of the classroom, and being a contributing member of your school and the surrounding community is of great importance.

What has been your favorite opportunity at Pace?

My favorite memory at Pace was, by far, winning the ICCA Quarterfinals with Frequency Acapella.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students?

Value the excellent professors and advisors that Lubin offers and enjoy your four years at Pace because they will pass by before you even know it.

What does #LubinLife mean to you?

#LubinLife means being blessed enough to attend an award-winning business program at an award-winning school in the greatest city in the world.

Follow Danny Canales on Instagram.