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.”
Sachin Archer knows what it’s like to defy expectations.
“I'm a very artsy person. So, when people see my photography, or how I dress, or know my music, they’re shocked to find I’m a computer science major,” he says. “I'm now at a point where I can blend both my tech side and my artistic side.”
Sachin is a computer science major and photography minor who, in his home country of Jamaica, used to dream about the big things in life he’d accomplish. “To come from a third world country and even live in New York City is kind of crazy,” he shares. “I remember the month before I moved to America, I was watching Home Alone 2, where they're lost in New York. Now to be able to wake up and see the Brooklyn Bridge outside my window, it's surreal. To not only do that, but now even go on a global scale and go to Europe and go to Switzerland, it’s amazing.”
Now to be able to wake up and see the Brooklyn Bridge outside my window, it's surreal.
Sachin had the chance to experience Europe as the youngest member of Pace’s NYC Design Factory during the Fall 2022 semester. For two weeks, Sachin and the other members of Team Fusion learned how CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, uses technology to address the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. “We visited the largest particle accelerator in the world,” he says. “We also got to go to the United Nations Headquarters, sit in on a meeting, and got a full tour.”
He made sure to maximize his trip by bringing his other passion into the mix, photography. “When I had some free time, I had the chance to meet some other people and models to help get my name out there,” Sachin explains. “It was amazing, to hit multiple birds with one stone.”
Once the students returned stateside, the work really began, as his team dived into redesigning New York City streets to not only support sustainability but to make way for advancements, like artificial intelligence. “I would say overall the Design Factory experience was a transformation, both mentally, physically, and politically,” Sachin says. “I was the only undergraduate student, and I was youngest one there. To be the youngest person involved, and to be the only Black male from a third world country, that was very important.”
To be able to represent myself on a bigger global scale was a big deal.
While it was a new experience, it evoked familiar feelings. “I've always been the only Black child in the room while I was growing up,” he says. “I knew that I had to work twice as hard, because of the color of my skin, unfortunately. To be able to represent myself on a bigger global scale was a big deal.”
The experience has left him marveling at the connections he’s made, and the connections he hopes to forge. He’s made friends from places he’s never been, from Germany to Australia. Over the summer he worked at a summer camp in his home in Connecticut and had the chance to share his experience with those young students. “I’ve been able to give these kids hope, and show them that you can leave home, that it's okay. Opportunities like this do happen for people like us.”
Sachin initially considered Pace because his sister was an alumna, but he believes now it was the best choice he could have made. “I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t until last semester that I really realized all the opportunities that Pace really had,” he admits. “That's when I got really close with my advisors and I started getting my name out more. I'm close to my dean now, which helped me find more opportunities, and now I work at Goldman Sachs. I'm very grateful for Pace and the environment that it creates.”
I'm doing all these amazing things. And I'm only 19.
Sachin’s Pace experience so far has been so rewarding, and he’s hoping to slow down and enjoy next last two years. “I have two years left, and I feel like I haven't done enough, you know?” he says. “I want to tell the freshmen to just do it all. The city really is your campus. Not only that, the faculty is your biggest help. They know so many people, and just one conversation can change your life forever.”
Take it from him, it’s never too early to dive in. “The best thing I always get is people asking, ‘How old are you?’ I'm doing all these amazing things. And I'm only 19.”
Read more about the Fall 2022 Design Factory experience.
Thanks to a new designation provided by the Federal Aviation Administration, Pace’s innovative drone program is flying high. Read how Professor Kate Fink, PhD, is exploring drone usage, regulations, and preparing Pace students for the FAA's Commercial Drone Pilot License exam.
Jump into generative AI with Darsh Joshi, AI and machine learning intern and recent winner of the Inclusive Hackathon, sponsored by Digital Page and Capgemini, as he explains how companies are looking to get ahead using accessible artificial intelligence tech.
Imagine dancing with Doja Cat. Now imagine doing it in front of 865,000 people. For Joanne Daquigan, Jada Clark, and Tiffani Rusell that dream became reality. Last month, they and several other members of the Pace Commercial Dance community performed alongside some heavy-hitting A-listers at MTV's VMAs.
Thanks to a new designation provided by the Federal Aviation Administration, Pace’s innovative drone program is flying high. Read how Professor Kate Fink, PhD, is exploring drone usage, regulations, and preparing Pace students for the FAA's Commercial Drone Pilot License exam.
“Any college can teach you how to use a camera and edit. But when I was choosing a college, I wanted something more. I didn’t know anything about drones until I took a tour at Pace, and I thought that was something new and innovative that I hadn’t seen.”
These are the words of Adam Ng ’23, ‘24. Having recently earned a Bachelor of Science in Digital Cinema and Filmmaking, Adam is currently completing a master’s in communication and digital media; all while working as a post-production assistant at The View. His busy schedule–typical of an ambitious Pace student–is a product of his curiosity, drive, and the fact that while at Pace, he took advantage of unique opportunities Dyson’s department of Media, Communications, and Visual Arts had to offer.
Looking to expand his horizons and skill-set as an undergraduate, Adam enrolled in MCA 350: Making Media with Drones during the spring of his sophomore year. The class, which was launched in 2017 by Dyson Associate Professor of Media, Communications, and Visual Arts Kate Fink, PhD, explores drone usage, regulations, and prepares students for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Drone Pilot License exam.
Fink, who first became interested in the uses of drones in journalism and storytelling about a decade ago, created the class to help anyone at Pace interested in drone usage to obtain their pilot’s license, understand drone usage in a larger context, and apply this ever-evolving technology to a wide variety of fields.
“There are so many applications of drones–not only in cinematography and film, but in a growing number of other industries–agriculture, construction, real estate,” says Fink. “We learn about the different ways drones are used, and the legal and ethical issues–issues related to privacy, trespass, conflict between national and local regulations. It gets really complex and interesting to look at the legal and ethical challenges that come up due to drones.”
After taking the class–which he describes as one of his favorites at Pace–Adam took the FAA exam and obtained his pilot’s license. Immediately, he put his newly official skill to use, serving as the drone pilot for the last two student-produced documentaries for Pace’s Producing the Documentary course. In addition to getting the opportunity to fly drones in Cape Cod for From Tide to Table, he took his talents internationally with For the Love of Food, which filmed in France to examine the slow-food movement.
“It was amazing to go to a different country and fly a drone,” said Adam. “Before coming to college, I did not think I’d ever be doing that.”
Success stories like Adam’s will now be increasingly possible, thanks in part due to a recent recognition–Pace was recently accepted into the FAA’s UAS Collegiate Training Initiative, and is the first four-year institution in New York State to join. This designation, given to colleges and universities that are preparing students for careers in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (drones), also strengthens Pace's relationship with the FAA, which is important as regulations and industry demands change.
Fink hopes to build on the recent designation to expand drone offerings at Pace to remain on the forefront of drone technology, and provide students an entry-way into this ever-growing field.
“I’m working with faculty at other departments at Pace to expand this into a certificate program; including the current course, but also other courses that let us offer a more interdisciplinary approach to drones so that students can not only get more experience with drones, but see how drones are being applied and get experience in other fields using drones,” says Fink.
Among the fields Fink hopes to expand the program into include computer science and environmental sciences and management, where drones are currently on the forefront of environmental monitoring and issues pertaining to climate change.
“There’s exciting things happening with drones used in environmental monitoring and management as well as issues related to climate change. It’s been really cool to work on that and learn more about these issues; and the amazing potential that drones have to make advancement in those areas,” added Fink.
As the usage of drones continues to evolve, Pace is committed to remaining on the cutting-edge of the industry; and in the process, elevating the potential and career aspirations of our students to bold new heights.
Imagine dancing with Doja Cat. Now imagine doing it in front of 865,000 people. For Joanne Daquigan, Jada Clark, and Tiffani Rusell that dream became reality. Last month, they and several other members of the Pace Commercial Dance community performed alongside some heavy-hitting A-listers at MTV's VMAs.
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.
Who is going to address the Class of 2024? You tell us! The annual speaker and honorary degree recipient nomination process has opened so be sure to submit your nomination no later than Friday, October 27.
Lubin student Richelle Fatalo '25 isn't afraid to step out of her comfort zone. When the opportunity to study abroad arose, Richelle went after it—despite having never set foot in the country that she would soon call home. Not only did she get to visit new cities and see historic landmarks, but she also gained valuable insight into how marketing is done in other countries.
Class of 2025
Currently Studying: BBA in Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications with a minor in Fashion Marketing
Member Of: Pace Profashionals, Women Who Lead (Vice President)
Pronouns: She/Her
Richelle Fatalo '25 isn't afraid to step out of her comfort zone. When the opportunity to study abroad arose, Richelle went after it—despite having never set foot in the country that she would soon call home. Not only did she get to visit new cities and see historic landmarks, but she also gained valuable insight into how marketing is done in other countries.
When I was first looking at schools, I recognized that Pace University and the Lubin School of Business had more opportunities for students to achieve success compared to other schools I looked at. During my search, I also really liked the classes and majors offered here—I knew that with these kinds of courses and opportunities, I would succeed, especially with Pace being in the heart of Manhattan. The connections students can make here are so important and not found anywhere else.
During my sophomore year, I joined our on-campus fashion business club, Pace Profashionals. This club has made me feel much more comfortable with my style and who I am as a person, while also helping me see that so many students are confident in their style. It made me feel welcomed.
My favorite opportunities include receiving hands-on help from professors who want you to succeed and being handed opportunities from—not only career fairs but also from professors who see the potential to shape your future career and build your resume.
I really wanted to experience new and different cultures and lifestyles that I never experienced before. I also really wanted to learn how people from different countries live in all aspects—from food, clothing, language, religion, and housing. Seeing different towns in Italy really opened my eyes to how different and unique they are compared to towns in America. I also always wanted to visit Italy, so studying abroad was the perfect opportunity.
I felt prepared for my time abroad in Italy, thanks to the different marketing courses I took and the professors I had within Lubin. I took a class in Italy to fulfill my minor in fashion marketing, and it was a breeze because I had already learned the bulk of it through Lubin.
Taking the weekends to go see different places! I think it is super important to use your time abroad to see different cities or countries because you'll be able to experience different lifestyles and visit landmarks. I would definitely take the opportunity to go somewhere else, even if it's only for a weekend.
Studying abroad made me more excited about my career choice and goals. I learned that other countries market products and services differently than in America. While most stores stay the same, the marketing is different, which opened my eyes to how creative other countries are when targeting their audience, even if it is for the same product.
Studying abroad made me more excited about my career choice and goals. I learned that other countries market products and services differently than in America. While most stores stay the same, the marketing is different, which opened my eyes to how creative other countries are when targeting their audience, even if it is for the same product. It just made me happy to see all the creativity.
It gives me more experience in marketing and advertising, which will help me apply what I learned abroad to what I will learn in the future as I keep growing and learning.
Perseverance. Everything in life is going to be hard no matter what you do, but you cannot just give up because you think you can't do it. You must push yourself sometimes to achieve your goals.
Do it. It may seem scary, especially if you have never traveled to another country before—let alone by yourself—but it is not that scary. I was terrified—I did not know what to expect, but I am glad I went for it because I would regret it if I graduated college and did not do it. If you're unsure, you don't have to do a semester! I only spent one month abroad because I was scared that a semester would be too long, but now, I wish I had done the full semester! Do not be worried about making friends abroad, either—everyone is in the same boat. It is like being a freshman again! Overall, face your fears now and go, or you'll regret it later.
Connect with Richelle:
Who is going to address the Class of 2024? You tell us! The annual speaker and honorary degree recipient nomination process has opened so be sure to submit your nomination no later than Friday, October 27.
Who is going to address the Class of 2024? You tell us! The annual speaker and honorary degree recipient nomination process has opened so be sure to submit your nomination no later than Friday, October 27.
Nominees may be asked to speak at the main ceremony, to speak at a school or college ceremony, or to be honored without giving a speech. Each selected honoree will be awarded an honorary doctorate, the highest form of recognition Pace University can bestow upon an individual.
We are looking for honorees who exemplify the Pace Community’s values and aspirations, will confer distinction upon the University, and will help enliven and enrich Commencement day.
As you make your nomination, please prioritize potential speakers who will resonate with our graduates and whose personal stories or passions reflect Pace’s mission of Opportunitas.
Ambitious nominations are great; the people of Pace are go-getters, and we will pursue all appropriate nominations. At the same time, please remember we have been most successful with nominees who have a personal or professional connection to Pace, for whom Pace is reflective of causes they advocate, or whose own story reflects Pace’s mission. We also have most luck with nominees who are based near New York City or will have a reason to be here around Commencement.
Nominations will be reviewed by the Commencement Speaker Advisory Committee, co-chaired by Jeff Barnett, PhD, vice president for student affairs and dean for students, and Jesse Oxfeld, senior communications advisor, and including student, staff, and faculty representatives.
Read President Krislov's October 2 message to the community regarding Commencement 2024 and stay tuned to the Commencement website for more details as we move closer to the big day.
Fall is here and that means flu season is upon us. Head to Pace's University Health Care for your flu vaccine and stay protected this year.
Camden Robertson ’23, Peace and Justice Studies, was awarded the 2023 Best Undergraduate Thesis of the Year by the Peace and Justice Studies Association for her work “Extinction Rebellion: A Case Study of Nonviolent Climate Activism.”
Pace University’s documentary "For the Love of Food: Pour l’amour de la Cuisine" recently won best student documentary at the Williamsburg International Film and Music Competition, marking the second consecutive year that the program won the top honors in this category.
After a stint at LSU, 29-year-old Pavon earned her degree in Commercial Dance at Pace University in New York City, then moved to Los Angeles, and has since been performing in movies, commercials, music videos and with female artists like Pink, Avril Lavigne, Dua Lipa, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Shania Twain and of course Beyoncè.
Pace Alumna Brianna Pavon takes the stage for Beyonce’s ‘Renaissance’ tour, after earning her degree in commercial dance she's been performing in movies, commercials, music videos, and with the biggest female artists like P!nk, Mariah Carey, Shania Twain, and of course Beyonce.
Professor Jill Gross is quoted by Financial Advisor IQ regarding pressure on the SEC to loosen the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s control of securities-industry arbitration from Thrivent, a Finra member firm.
Pace University Haub Law Professor Bennett Gershman was featured on the Voice of America podcast discussing bribery and conspiracy charges against U.S. Senator Robert Menendez.