Thirty-four Pace University students, the highest number to date, have been selected for the competitive United Nations Academic Impact-Millenium Fellowship Class of 2025, including 16 students from Dyson College of Arts and Sciences. The total pool of candidates included a record-breaking 60,000+ applicants from 7,500+ campuses across the world, and from 290+ US campuses, with only 4% selected for 2025. This year also represents the first time Dyson College, Lubin School of Business, School of Education, Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, and the College of Health Professions at Pace were all represented; further, this year’s Millennium Fellows class features a first of its kind, 19-member international team.
Students accepted into the UN Millennium Fellowship program launch individual or group semester-long projects on their campuses or in their communities relating to one or more of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, 17 objectives focused on bettering our world through social impact projects relating to peace, justice, wellbeing, and sustainability. Fellows will also connect with students around the world and attend enrichment sessions led by their peers and global leaders.
Pace has developed a tradition of participation in the Millennium Fellowship, and that tradition continues with this year’s 2025 class of Fellows working on projects that include: the right to know what is in one’s drinking water, Pace’s embrace of the LGBTQIA+ community, aid and outreach for individuals struggling with housing insecurity, technical literacy, and English language outreach.
The Dyson Fellows include: Diana Aldabergenova ‘28, Psychology; Natasha Baker ‘27, English Language and Literature; Angela Basha ‘27, Psychology; Briana Duarte ‘26, Criminal Justice; Mamoun Edfouf ‘28, Undecided; Yesenia Erazo-Tequianes ‘27, Peace and Justice Studies, Political Science; Skyler Flynn ‘26, Communications; Symphonie Ivory ‘28, Art; Seth Jarmol ‘26, Political Science; Varshita Korrapati ‘22, Political Science; Mimi Langley ‘26, Modern Languages and Cultures; Nkechi On (Colene) Munroe ’28, Psychology, Adolescent Education (SOE); Kayla Nestfield ‘26, Global Studies; Spechal Nickey ‘28, Biology; Rachel Parker ‘25, Communications; and Samantha Sergi ‘28, Psychology.
For Master of Public Administration student Rajni Jaiswal ’25, Pace has meant opportunity—from internships and research to national conference presentations and faculty mentorship—all fueling her passion for equity, leadership, and inclusive governance.
Cassie Hasaj ’26, a Writing for Diversity and Equity in Theater and Media major, is heading to 30 Rock. This fall, she’ll join The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as a production intern—another step toward her dream of a career in television.
When Natasha Depaoli ’26 gave up her dorm room to commute, her family worried she’d miss out on campus life. Instead, she found her people—and built a community for others along the way.