Accomodating Every Student

Although no two students are the same, Pace is committed to meeting the needs of each individual learner. Because of this, the University offers a variety of resources to ensure that all students have the tools they need to succeed. Below are several of the programs and services Pace offers to students to help them fulfill their potential—both in the classroom and beyond.

The Office of Disability Services

Whether it’s providing extended time for tests or offering note-taking services, the Office of Disability Services works with students on an individual basis to identify and provide for their unique needs. Our accommodations are designed to help every student, whether he or she has learning challenges or a physical impairment. These can include specialized software, screen readers for students with visual impairments, interpretive services, permission to tape record classes and lectures, and more.

In order to access these services, students must register with the office on their campus and meet with a coordinator to determine the accommodations that will best meet their needs. While the coordinators are happy to speak with parents, they encourage students to reach out directly.

For more information, visit the Office of Disability Services here. Students can contact the disability service coordinators directly on either campus.

New York City

Jenna J. Cler, LMSW

Coordinator of Disability Services

(212) 346-1526

Pleasantville

Elisse M. Geberth

Coordinator of Disability Services

(914) 773-3710

The BOSS Program

The Build on Special Strengths (BOSS) Program provides students with autism a comprehensive support system to have a “true college experience.” While many students with autism are capable of attending college, they don’t always have the test scores that will help them get into school. Starting with an admissions process that looks at the whole package, the BOSS Program shepherds students’ applications through the system to ensure they don’t get rejected without consideration of all the facts. However, Program Director Dianne Zager, PhD, emphasizes that the curriculum at Pace is not diluted or altered in any way for BOSS students.

Once enrolled, students attended weekly group and individual counseling sessions, as well as weekly social communications sessions, which pair BOSS students with undergraduate students in the Communication Science and Disorders Program. Additionally, students receive four hours a week with a study mentor to help them review what they have learned in the classroom and ensure they complete their work.

The BOSS Program staff works very closely with parents to ensure students are achieving to their fullest potential. For more information on the BOSS Program, contact Professor Dianne Zager, PhD, at dzager@pace.edu.

The Office for Student Success

The college experience can be overwhelming, especially for first-year students. It’s not always easy to know where to go for help, whether it’s academic or personal. If there’s one catchall resource for students, it’s the Office for Student Success. From financial aid to academic concerns to getting more involved at Pace, the OSS meets with students one-on-one to help them navigate the University. Or find more financial aid. Or connect to some of the other great resources and programs Pace has to offer. The OSS even encourages parents and families to stop by. Visit the OSS Web site for more information.

Pace Common Reading

In addition to these unique programs, Pace has chosen the book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon for its 2010 common reading. This unique story is narrated by Christopher Boone, an autistic 15-year-old falsely accused of a crime: the murder of his neighbor’s dog. As Christopher decides to track down the real killer, the reader joins him in his journey, learning how someone overwhelmed by his senses and the world around him can successfully navigate his surroundings, achieve his goals, and answer some of the greater mysteries in life. Themes from the book will be incorporated into a number of courses, civic engagement programs, and discussion groups throughout the year.