As the Spring 2025 semester wrapped up, students, families, faculty, and staff of Pace University’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems gathered on our NYC and Pleasantville campuses to recognize the Class of 2025 award recipients at our annual Awards Ceremonies.

Below is the full list of honorees from this year’s graduating class. Congratulations to you all—we are proud to celebrate your outstanding achievements!

Doctoral Awards

• Outstanding Student of the Year: Lisa Ellrodt

Graduate Awards

• Outstanding Student of the Year: Roshan Niranjan Kalpavruksha, Rohan Niranjan Kalpavruksha
• Computer Science Departmental Award: Ross Richard Carvalho, Kaiyin Chen, Yining Chen, Tarjanee Desai, Sharon Dsouza, Jenisha Gajera, Xinyu Guan, Rishita Gupta, Sivasankaran Kaleeswaran, Bala Selvaraj, Murali Kummari, Uday Reddy, Zaid Mohammad, Sushanth Nandeti, Jill Pathak, Dylan Pereira, Damin Shah, Amulya Thatha, Sarat Vanam
• Francis Marchese Software Development and Engineering Award: Parimal Borkar
• Cybersecurity Scholar Award: Hari Chodapuneedi, Samantha Henry, Linda Laryea, Ceasar Lugo, Austin Powlette, Matthew Shine, Arshdeep Singh
• Data Science Scholar Award: Esha Bawaskar, Amey Borkar, Julia Cardillo, Tejomay Kapadia, Aravind Yeddula
• Information Systems Scholar Award: Akshay Dhakan, Sravani Kola, Nishad Kolhe, Vaishali Laveti, Impanaa Lokesh, Durga Madhiraju Shashank Mysore, Viraj Rasal
• Human Centered Design Scholar Award: Tejaswini Khedkar, Angelique Perrin, Rosa Ramos, Jason Truong, Lalita Wongsakvanich

School Awards, Graduate

• Jean Coppola Award for Excellence in Service-Learning: Fabian Hiller
• Susan M. Merritt Computing Award for Academic Excellence: Riya Golani
• Seidenberg Civic Engagement Award: Ross Carvalho
• Graduate Alumni Achievement Award: Victor Zapata
• Seidenberg Leadership in Action Award: Tejomay Kapadia
• Career Services Award: Jill Pathak

Undergraduate Awards (Pleasantville)

• Scholastic Achievement Award: Isabella Coraci, Anthony Oramas
• Computer Science Departmental Award: Vincent Ret
• Information Technology Departmental Award: Charles Ten

Undergraduate Awards (NYC)

• Scholastic Achievement Award: Alyssa Lahaise
• Computer Science Departmental Award: Evan Frazier
• Information Technology Departmental Award: Huy Nguyen

School Awards, Undergraduate (Pleasantville)

• Jean Coppola Award for Excellence in Service-Learning Research: Ashley Peleg, Andrew Iadevaia
• Susan M. Merritt Computing Award for Academic Excellence: Madelyn Zambrano
• Seidenberg Civic Engagement Award: Ariana Contes
• Alumni Achievement Award: Thomas Karintholil
• Seidenberg Scholars: Victor Lima, Madelyn Zambrano
• Blue CoLab Innovation Award: Victor Lima
• Career Services Award: Meryl Mizell

School Awards, Undergraduate (NYC)

• Jean Coppola Award for Excellence in Service-Learning Research: Justin Boudreau, Nico Middleton
• Susan M. Merritt Computing Award for Academic Excellence: Nicole Romano, Fatima Bensassi, Audrey Louie
• Seidenberg Civic Engagement Award: Julia Tretyakov, Sachin Archer
• Seidenberg Involvement Award: Andrew Dinspechin, Junior Jean
• Seidenberg Scholars: Justin Boudreau, Amogh Iyer, Alyssa Lahaise, Solace-Simone Lattery, Paul Mash, Nico Middleton
• Career Services Award: Maisha Rauzat

Latin Honors (Pleasantville)

• Summa Cum Laude: Aaron Amalraj, Ariana Contes, Isabella Coraci, Anthony Oramas, Ashley Peleg, Vincent Ret, Madelyn Zambrano
• Magna Cum Laude: Dave Bileri, Ariel Cargill, Thomas Karintholil, Shahid Khan, Victor Lima, Meryl Mizell, Justin O'Neill, Mauricio Rabanales Cruz, Andres Rodriguez, Sebastian Roman
• Cum Laude: Gerardo Basso, Conor Jonassen, Dain Nishad, Kristan Panton
• With Distinction: Charlie Ten, Kelvin Rodriguez De Jesus

Latin Honors (NYC)

• Summa Cum Laude: Shalini Basu, Evan Frazier, Carson M Glines, Vasilios Koumbaros, Gregory Krupoff, Alyssa Lahaise, Kenny Luong, Audrey Louie, Huy Nguyen, Maisha Rauzat, Dominick Sacchetti, Tyler Stafford
• Magna Cum Laude: Joel Avendano Ascencio, Fatimazahra Bensassi, Justin Boudreau, Saatvik Chaudhari, Thomas Dinopoulos, Nathan Feng, Joseph Hilditch, Amer Issa, Solomon Khalili, Kevin Liu, Eleanor S Nealon, Russell C Ng, Nicole Romano, Ayden Rodriguez, Younes A Roumila, Pride Yin
• Cum Laude: Sahim Ahmed, Aleenah Alam, Sachin Archer, Patrick Casseus, Jason Forrisi, Gabriel Fanshteyn, Dante Hurr, Maleehah Jaaber, Nico Middleton, David Pinheiro Rosa, Paul Mash, Solace-Simone Lattery, Wilson Lu, Aaliyah Singh, Yared Yehualashet, Julia Tretyakov, Myron Zun Hao Weng
• With Distinction: John Bambury, Brandon Barrett, Andre D'sa

Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems Professor Namchul Shin has co-authored a new book published by Oxford University Press that offers a timely, forward-looking exploration of institutional collaboration in the 21st century.

The Consortia Century: Aligning for Impact, released in 2025, is the work of the Stakeholder Alignment Collaborative, a multidisciplinary group of 30 scholars, policymakers, and practitioners. Among them is Shin, Professor of Information Systems at Pace University’s Seidenberg school whose research and teaching focus on innovation, information systems, sustainability, and the organizational dynamics that shape technology-driven transformation.

Shin, his expertise in innovation, IT value, and environmental sustainability to the project. His recent research includes using large language models to assess biodiversity reporting in the coal mining industry, presented at conferences in Seoul, South Korea. This work exemplifies his commitment to leveraging technology for global sustainability efforts.

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The book posits that consortia—multi-stakeholder alliances—will be the defining institutional form of the 21st century, capable of tackling issues too large for any single organization to solve alone. It offers real-world case studies and a framework for achieving lateral alignment across sectors, collective action beyond traditional top-down or bottom-up models. The authors made their point by using diverse case studies spanning biomedicine, social work, labor relations, video games, science, and higher education, among additional sectors, domains, and ecosystems.

With The Consortia Century, Shin and his co-authors provide both a conceptual foundation and practical guidance for fostering institutional collaboration, offering a roadmap for organizations seeking to align diverse stakeholders in pursuit of shared goals.

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On June 16, 2025, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and Albany Law School cohosted a Feminist Legal Studies Roundtable at the Pace University campus in Lower Manhattan. Participants from Pace Haub Law included Professors Jessica Miles, Margot Pollans, and Emily Waldman. The event was convened by Professor Bridget Crawford and cosponsored by the US Feminist Judgments Project and the Law and Society Association’s International Research Collaborative on Feminist Judgments.

In this day-long program, nineteen faculty members from twelve schools presented works in progress that related in some way to women, gender & sexuality studies. During her opening remarks, Professor Crawford emphasized the value of shared scholarly inquiry. “Bringing together scholars committed to feminist legal analysis helps cultivate new insights and challenge traditional legal narratives,” she said. “In a time of rapid legal and political shifts—especially those impacting bodily autonomy, gender identity, and reproductive justice—convenings like this roundtable are more than collaborative opportunities; they are essential spaces for critical thinking, intellectual risk-taking, and mutual support. These gatherings help sharpen our tools, deepen our resolve, and move the field forward in ways that respond meaningfully to the world around us.”

Bringing together scholars committed to feminist legal analysis helps cultivate new insights and challenge traditional legal narratives.

Participating faculty members from other schools were: Noa Ben-Asher (St. John's), Cinnamon Carlarne (Albany), Mary Anne Case (Chicago), Dale Cecka (Albany), Liz Chen (Brooklyn), Tyler Rose Clemons(St. John's), Jenny-Brooke Condon (Seton Hall), Michelle Browning Coughlin (Northern Kentucky), Monica Iyer (Georgia State), Marcy Karin (Rutgers), Ramya Kudekallu (Cardozo), Lynn Lu (CUNY), Laura Rosenbury (Barnard), Cindy Soohoo (CUNY), and Carla Spivack (Albany).

The event was organized with the assistance of Pace Haub Law staff members Renee Brown-Cheng, Lauren Vaccaro, and Judy Jaeger.

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Sav Ackerman ’25 has always had a strong work ethic. Born into an abusive and impoverished upbringing, both of Sav’s parents passed away by the time Sav was 15 years old. “There were many hard days growing up,” shared Sav. “Prior to passing away, my mother was a single parent and worked full-time while going to school for nursing. I started working to support myself from the time I was 15 and continued to work throughout law school.”

It was the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University's FLEX JD Scheduling Option that attracted Sav the most. “The FLEX JD program fit my schedule perfectly,” said Sav. “It allowed me to continue working without overwhelming my already busy schedule while also providing me with the ideal amount of academic intensity I needed.” Once they started at Pace Haub Law, Sav found the Law School atmosphere extremely communal in nature. “Everyone wants one another to succeed. The connections I made – professors, fellow students, administrators – all allowed me to deepen my understanding of the law and how to be a successful advocate.”

Sav recalls Adjunct Professor Stefen Short as one of the most remarkable individuals they met while studying at the Law School. “Professor Short introduced the topic of incarcerated peoples' rights to me as a student after my summer of working at The Legal Aid Society of Westchester, and illuminated a field of lawyering I didn't know was reachable,” shared Sav. “He inspired me with a different way of thinking when approaching advocacy that I will never forget.”

While Sav was at Pace Haub Law, they were the FLEX Representative for Lambda Law Students. They launched the innovative and impactful Name Change Clinic at Cubbyhole Bar in New York City. “This initiative was very important to me,” shared Sav. “I, along with other Pace Haub Law Lambda Law Students, handed out paperwork and information to allow individuals to change their legal name in New York State. Being able to see this initiative become a reality and take it into New York City at a landmark LGBTQ+ space, like Cubbyhole, was amazing.” While Sav was a law student, they also co-founded the LAMBDA LGBTQIA+ Judge Mentorship Program, where LGBTQIA+ judges across the state of New York assist in mentoring law students at the Law School.

Today, Sav is studying for the bar exam and working as a law graduate with The Legal Aid Society of New York City. “I hope to continue to learn and expand my advocacy for minority communities and indigent clients so that their voices may be heard,” said Sav.

In their spare time, Sav pursues music as an outlet. “I am a musician and continue to play guitar, drums, and piano. I love creating lyrics and music that allows me to feel!” As far as words of advice, Sav encourages current and future law students to remember why you started your law school journey, but to also open your arms to changing and learning within the field. “Don't be afraid to evolve and never give up.”

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Angie D’Agostino, Dean for Student and Campus Affairs at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, was honored with the Honorable Richard J. Daronco Distinguished Service Award by the Columbian Lawyers Association of Westchester County at the organization’s annual dinner on June 13, 2025. The prestigious award recognizes individuals of Italian heritage who have made significant contributions to the bench or bar and who exemplify service, leadership, and a deep commitment to community.

The Honorable Richard J. Daronco Distinguished Service Award is named in memory of the former Justice of the Supreme Court of Westchester County and later the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and celebrates his legacy of integrity, compassion, and dedication to justice. Past recipients include the Honorable Janet DiFiore, Chief Judge of the State of New York and the Court of Appeals; Carl A. Vergari, former Westchester County District Attorney; the Honorable Mario Cuomo, former Governor of New York; and the Honorable Francis A. Nicolai, former Chief Administrative Judge for the Ninth Judicial District, among other distinguished Italian-American jurists and attorneys.

Dean D’Agostino’s career at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University spans nearly 40 years. She began as an assistant in the Office of Admissions and rose steadily through the ranks, ultimately serving as Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs. During that time, she admitted and guided hundreds of law students, shaping their academic journeys through scholarships, mentorship, and unwavering support. In 1999, while working full-time, she earned her law degree from what was then Pace Law School, and in 2000 was appointed Dean for Students—a role she has held ever since with steadfast dedication, compassion, and purpose.

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Affectionately known as “Dean D” by generations of students and alumni—many of whom now call her a friend and colleague—she has cultivated a culture of community at Pace Haub Law. Under her leadership, the Law School has expanded its mental health and wellness programs, providing critical resources to students during some of the most challenging times in their academic and personal lives.

The award was presented by Hon. Daniel Angiolillo, who praised Dean D’Agostino’s deep commitment to “Family, Faith, and Pace.” In his remarks, Horace E. Anderson Jr., Dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, reflected on the many lives she has touched over her decades of service.

“Dean D’s impact extends far beyond the walls of the law school. For nearly 40 years, she has been a guiding force in the lives of thousands of law students—many of whom are now legal professionals in our community,” said Dean Anderson. “Her care, encouragement, and willingness to step in during some of the most difficult moments in a student’s life have made all the difference. There are countless attorneys today who would not be where they are without her.”

I’ve been blessed to serve at an institution where Opportunitas—the opportunity for first-generation students to rise—has mirrored both my personal journey and my cultural heritage.

—Dean Angie D'Agostino

During her heartfelt remarks, Dean D’Agostino spoke about her journey from humble beginnings, the transformative power of education, and the responsibility that legal educators carry as gatekeepers of the profession—one she has approached with deep seriousness and care.

“I’ve been blessed to serve at an institution where Opportunitas—the opportunity for first-generation students to rise—has mirrored both my personal journey and my cultural heritage,” she shared.

Dean D’Agostino has been a long-standing, involved member of the Columbian Lawyers Association, which has been a generous partner to the Law School, supporting many deserving law students through its scholarship program.

Dean D’Agostino’s award acceptance speech (PDF)

Barbara A. Abeles and Sabrina A. Griffin ’92 bring a shared dedication to leadership, philanthropy, and student success

Pace University’s Board of Trustees announced the election of two new members, Barbara A. Abeles, owner, chairman and chief executive officer of CBL Ceramics Ltd, and Sabrina A. Griffin ’92, inaugural chair of the Pace Alumni Association Leadership Council, to its Board of Trustees.

“Sabrina and Barbara exemplify Pace’s mission of expanding opportunity—Sabrina through her continued alumni leadership and Barbara through her longstanding philanthropic commitment to education,” said Rob Sands, chairman of Pace University’s Board of Trustees. “We are proud to welcome them to the board and look forward to the insight, perspective and leadership they bring to our community.”

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Abeles is chairman and CEO of CBL Ceramics Ltd., a Wales-based manufacturer of advanced ceramics for the global electronics industry. She has led the company for nearly three decades, overseeing global operations across finance, regulatory compliance, sales, and human resources. Under her leadership, CBL has become one of only three firms internationally producing a highly specialized class of industrial ceramics.

A longtime resident of Westchester County, Abeles has demonstrated a deep commitment to education and philanthropy. She serves on the Foundation Board of Westchester Community College and Pace University’s President’s Council. She is a major supporter of Pace’s Community Impact Internship Program and established a permanently endowed scholarship to address gender disparities in the sciences. Abeles holds a bachelor’s degree from Smith College and a master’s from Boston University.

“I’ve long admired Pace University’s commitment to creating opportunity through education,” said Abeles. “It’s an honor to join the Board of Trustees and to support a community so dedicated to empowering students to reach their full potential.”

Griffin served for more than 30 years at the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, most recently as assistant vice president and diversity manager. During her tenure, she successfully managed and implemented leadership development programs geared towards women, people of color and LGBTQIA+ employees.

She currently serves on Pace University’s President’s Council, as inaugural chair of the Pace University Alumni Association Leadership Council and as a member of the Development, Alumni Relations and Public Affairs Committee. Griffin also serves on The Mahaffey Leading Ladies committee for The Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts, in St. Petersburg, FL. helping bring live theater, books, art and music to more than 30,000 students annually. In addition, she serves on the arts and finance committees of the St. Petersburg Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, a national women’s organization committed to education, health and civic engagement. She holds an MBA in finance from Pace’s Lubin School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from NYU’s Stern School of Business.

“Joining the Board is an opportunity to give back in a way that’s intentional and inclusive,” said Griffin. “I want to help create pathways that meet people where they are—whether they’re students figuring it out or alumni reconnecting after time away. If we design experiences that reflect our community’s needs, we’ll keep building something truly meaningful together.”

About Pace University

Since 1906, Pace University has been transforming the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, Pace offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, Sands College of Performing Arts, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

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The Westchester County Board of Legislators honored Horace E. Anderson Jr., Dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, during its annual celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month on June 16, 2025. Held at the Westchester County Center—with Dean Anderson’s name prominently displayed in lights for the evening—the ceremony recognized the extraordinary achievements and contributions of individuals who have made a significant impact on education, civic life, and public service in Westchester County, while celebrating the rich cultural legacy and community influence of Caribbean Americans.

Dean Anderson was celebrated for his unwavering commitment to advancing equity in the legal profession and expanding educational access, demonstrated through the Law School’s many partnerships aimed at diversifying the legal pipeline. Dean Anderson’s leadership has elevated the Law School’s national profile and strengthened its core mission of justice, academic excellence, and community engagement.

Board Chairman Vedat Gashi reflected on Dean Anderson’s journey as a first-generation American and pioneering educator, calling him an “exemplary Caribbean American whose contributions embody the values we celebrate.”

“As the first Black dean in the history of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, Dean Anderson has demonstrated exemplary leadership, elevating the Law School’s national standing and expanding its impact within our community. His commitment to fostering academic excellence, advancing diversity within the legal profession, and championing innovative programs in environmental law, social justice, and civic engagement has set a remarkable standard,” added Majority Leader Tyrae Woodson-Samuels. “We celebrate Dean Anderson as a distinguished leader and an outstanding representative of the Caribbean American community, whose contributions continue to enrich our institutions and inspire future generations.”

Also honored during the evening was Annmarie Smith, a longtime advocate for public education in Yonkers and a respected PTSA leader. Over decades of service, Ms. Smith has been a consistent voice for equitable school funding and quality education for all students.

Students from Pace University’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems concluded the Spring 2025 semester with an international trip—by teaming up with peers from across Europe to take on disinformation through game design.

In May 2025, a group of Pace students from Seidenberg’s Game Development program traveled to Stuttgart, Germany, to participate in a unique international collaboration: the FMX PartnerDay Game Jam. Organized as part of the annual FMX (Film and Media Exchange) Conference, the experience brought together students from Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Germany, and the United States for a week of creativity, cross-cultural connection, and hands-on learning.

The Game Jam was the culminating in-person phase of a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), co-organized by several international universities and built around three core phases: digital preparation, international team-building, and finally, a 48-hour in-person challenge.

“Each team had students from different countries,” said Carmine Guida, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and director of the Game Development program at Seidenberg, who accompanied the Pace students.

They worked together to design games tackling the topic of disinformation—something every country is grappling with.

The program kicked off with the Digital Learning Experience phase, which was an online foundational course on Game Design that allowed students to explore key concepts and tools necessary for the future stages of the program, particularly focusing on game mechanics, narrative design, and user experience. In the second online phase, the International Team-Building Workshop, teams from all participating countries focused on simulating real-world, international collaboration by equipping the students with cultural exchange and fostering communication skills across borders and time zones.

For the third and final phase of the program, students traveled to Stuttgart, Germany. The highlight of this phase was a 48-hour Game Jam, during which all participants delved into an intensive weekend of work with diverse and interdisciplinary teams, and resulted in the creation of exciting, inventive game prototypes. These fully playable games—available online through itch.io—were created by the international student teams consisting of artists, coders, and designers who united their various talents to bring their visions of fighting disinformation to life.

Following the Game Jam, students exhibited their work at the FMX Educational Fair, a multi-day expo. They demoed their games, explored VR and motion capture demos, and attended industry talks—including sessions with industry-leading artists that created Arcane.

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“The games and the overall experience were amazing,” Guida shared.

The students were able to see what’s possible and got a glimpse of where the industry is heading.

Pace students also staffed a university booth, representing Seidenberg and the larger Pace community to a global audience of professionals, educators, and students. Guida added that “it was great for our students to have the opportunity to represent Seidenberg and present the results of the Game Jam at the FMX educational fair, allowing for broader exposure and networking with industry professionals and peers”

As the Seidenberg students returned with new skills, broader perspectives, and playable proof of their creativity, they brought with them stories that extend far beyond the screen, ready to continue tackling real-world challenges.

In his article, The 'Realness' Key to Compelled Passcode Production, published in the Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology (Vol. 115, 2025), Pace Haub Law Visiting Assistant Professor Gabriel Pell offers a novel framework for applying the Fifth Amendment’s Foregone Conclusion exception to compelled passcode entry. At the heart of the article is a key question: when the government forces someone to unlock a phone, are they permissibly being compelled to produce real evidence that exists outside of their mind—or are they revealing the contents of their mind in violation of their privilege against self-incrimination?

Drawing on the “act of production” doctrine, Professor Pell argues that where the average user experiences their passcode as something that exists outside of their mind, courts can conceptualize the passcode stored within a given device or the unlocked device itself as the 'real' evidence produced through compelled passcode entry. This conceptual shift can resolve a national split in authority among courts while protecting targets from compelled revelation of mere memorized information.

“[T]he government need not demonstrate pre-production knowledge of the contents of a locked device to satisfy the Foregone Conclusion exception,” Professor Pell writes, challenging assumptions some courts have made about the application of this paper-based doctrine to passcodes in the digital era.

• Read The 'Realness' Key to Compelled Passcode Production, Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology (Vol. 115, 2025)