How Daisy Molina Found Her People—and Her Passion for Computing—at Pace University

Coming from a small town in Arizona, Daisy Molina was curious about how the big changes of moving to New York City would impact her. She wondered whether she would be able to find her place and a sense of community in one of the world’s busiest cities. But she found a sense of belonging at Pace University’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

“When I visited Pace and learned about Seidenberg, what stood out to me was how much it felt like a family,” says Daisy, a BS in Computer Science major with a minor in Information Assurance for the Criminal Justice System. “Not just faculty supporting students, but students supporting each other. I quickly realized that Seidenberg wasn’t just a school; it was a community where people lift each other up.”

This mindset—building excellence through community—became the foundation of Daisy’s college experience and helped her grow from a newcomer in the field to a confident computer scientist ready for what the future will bring.

Finding Joy in the Challenge

While the world of programming felt challenging to Daisy at first, it didn’t take long before she learned to embrace it—and even enjoy it.

“One of the pivotal moments for me as a computer science student was when I began to have fun with my coding assignments, and even enjoying the challenge,” she recalls. That moment came during her Data Structures and Algorithms course with Professor Carmine Guida, who also serves as the program chair of Pace’s BS in Game Development.

“It stood out to me because not only was he a stand-out teacher and mentor taking the time to explain each concept, but having friends in the class made it so much fun,” says Daisy. “I still remember cramming in the library with my friends and thinking that while studying wasn’t super fun, having them there made it so much easier. I am so thankful to the students of that class and to Professor Guida for not only making it fun to study, but also helping me become more confident in my programming skills.”

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Getting Involved at Pace—and Growing as a Leader

During her first-year University 101 course, Daisy learned another lesson that proved pivotal in her Pace journey: get involved early, and stay involved.

“I took that to heart and I definitely dove in,” she says.

By the end of her first year, she had joined both the Cybersecurity Club and the Women in Tech club—and is now treasurer for both. “These clubs have taught me how to be a leader and how to balance a somewhat heavy workload,” Daisy says. “I have met some of my best friends through these clubs and met so many new students and learned so much.”

She also found a home in Seidenberg’s Digital Forensics Research Lab. “This has not only provided me with opportunities to network with professionals of numerous fields, but I have learned so many technical skills that are invaluable in real-life application,” Daisy says. She adds that Dr. Darren Hayes, her direct supervisor in the lab and Director of Cybersecurity, “has been a great boss and mentor guiding me to be a professional in the workforce, who can be successful and proactive in chasing new opportunities.”

One of her favorite memories? A road trip to the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition with her team. “It was four hours in a car, competing under pressure, and celebrating afterward by baking cookies together—the embodiment of the Seidenberg family.”

What Makes Pace and Seidenberg Stand Out

Daisy sums up her Pace experience in three words: community, opportunity, and growth.

“This school truly feels like a family. From faculty who go out of their way to help you succeed, to students who support and push each other, there’s always someone in your corner,” she says.

“Whether it’s labs, clubs, conferences, competitions, internships, or traveling for events, Pace constantly opens doors. If you’re willing to show up and get involved, there’s always a new opportunity waiting. Seidenberg pushes you to expand your comfort zone, technically and personally. I came in nervous and unsure of myself, but the projects, mentorship, and leadership roles I’ve taken here have shaped me into a confident computer scientist and future cybersecurity professional.”