Two students celebrating their Commencement, smiling at the camera.

Nominations and Applications

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Community Service Award

This award is presented to the undergraduate students (one from New York City and one from Pleasantville) whose active contributions to the life of the University community, and to the endeavors of our neighbors in the surrounding community, most admirably embody an appreciation for the value of social responsibility. The nominee must have completed a minimum of 60 credits at Pace University and must plan to attend Commencement in-person on Wednesday, May 20. Nomination deadline is Friday, February 27.

Nominate a Student for the Community Service Award

Trustee Award

This award is presented to the undergraduate students (one from New York City and one from Pleasantville) whose positive contributions to University life and whose academic accomplishments exemplify the highest level of achievement attainable for an undergraduate. The nominee must have completed a minimum of 60 credits at Pace, have earned a QPA of 2.75 or higher, and must plan to attend Commencement in-person on Wednesday, May 20. Nomination deadline is Friday, February 27.

Nominate a Student for the Trustee Award

Opportunitas Speaker

The Opportunitas Speaker exemplifies the ambition and resilience of the Class of 2026. All graduating students (at all levels) may apply, and the committee will choose a graduate with a compelling story, well delivered, to serve as Pace’s Opportunitas Speaker. Your speech should reflect on your time at Pace and tell an inspiring story that will resonate with all graduates. It should be no longer than four (4) minutes, about 400 to 500 words.

Eligibility requirements:

You are a December 2025, May 2026, or August 2026 graduate.
You plan to attend your college or school's Commencement ceremony in-person.

To apply to be the Opportunitas speaker at Commencement 2026, please submit this application no later than Friday, March 13, 2026. You will be asked to include a draft of your speech and a video of your delivery.

Any questions related to the application process can be directed to nycstudentaffairs@pace.edu or plvstudentaffairs@pace.edu. Nominated students will receive their own link to complete their application for consideration.

Submit your Opportunitas Speaker application

Valedictorian Speaker

The Valedictorian Speaker exemplifies the academic excellence of the Class of 2026. Graduating seniors with a 4.0 GPA may apply for the role, and the committee will choose a graduate with extraordinary academic accomplishments and an effectively delivered speech to serve as Valedictorian Speaker. On behalf of all our academically excellent graduates, your speech should reflect on your time at Pace and tell an inspiring story that will resonate with all graduates. It should be no longer than four (4) minutes, about 400 to 500 words.