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The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University is pleased to announce that Michael Hamersky has been appointed to serve as the Executive Director of the Pace Energy and Climate Center. In addition to leading the Center, he will teach Natural Resources Law at the Law School. Over nearly four decades, the Pace Energy and Climate Center has established itself as a national leader working at the intersection of energy and the environment.

Prior to this role, Michael served as the Climate Change and Land Use Policy Fellow at Pace Haub Law where he focused on the clean energy transition and the various barriers to, and incentives for, renewable energy deployment. Specifically, Michael has advised the United States Department of Energy, as well as end-users and municipalities, on how to best implement on-site distributed energy resources in the New York/New Jersey region considering the economics in light of regional energy markets. Michael has also developed recommendations to the New York State Research and Development Authority (“NYSERDA”) to update New York’s battery storage, and wind energy, systems model laws and has prepared resources related to large renewable energy project siting and permitting process, which is used by NYSERDA to educate municipalities throughout the state. Michael has also produced scholarship related to conservation in Indigenous communities and ocean governance.

“During his time at the Law School, first as an LLM student, and more recently as a Climate Change and Land Use Policy Fellow, Michael has established himself as a forward-thinking leader in the field of environmental law,” said Dean Horace E. Anderson Jr. “Our Pace Energy and Climate Center has established itself as a trusted Center and thought-leader, frequently engaging government decision makers and key stakeholders with objective research and analysis in law and policy. I am confident that with Michael serving as the Executive Director of the Center, our Center will continue to serve as a model and leader in the field.”

“I am beyond excited to join Pace Haub Law in this new capacity,” stated Michael. “I look forward to using this new platform to highlight the incredible work of the number one environmental law program in the nation’s talented students and to prioritize the Pace Energy and Climate Center’s work on the clean energy transition and the impact such transition will have on vulnerable communities.” Prior to joining the Haub Law community, Michael practiced corporate restructuring litigation for over fifteen years in New York City, and was an adjunct professor at the Fordham University School of Law. He received his JD from Fordham University School of Law and his LLM in Environmental Studies from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, with a focus on Energy Law and Climate Change.

I look forward to using this new platform to highlight the incredible work of the number one environmental law program in the nation’s talented students and to prioritize the Pace Energy and Climate Center’s work on the clean energy transition and the impact such transition will have on vulnerable communities.

—Michael Hamersky

Over time, the Pace Energy and Climate Center has grown from its initial focus on energy regulatory law and policies, expanding its focus to encompass transportation and fuels as well as climate change mitigation and resilience. Through the analysis and advancement of critical policies engineered to improve energy efficiency, accelerate renewable energy and distributed generation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and make our communities more resilient in the face of climate change impacts, the Center has continually reconfirmed its position at the leading edge of finding solutions to our energy and climate challenges on the local, state, regional, national, and international levels.

The Pace Energy and Climate Center was founded in 1987 as the Pace Energy Project by Dean Emeritus Richard L. Ottinger upon his retirement from the US Congress. Dean Ottinger recognized early on the significant environmental impacts of our supply and use of energy in the United States. From the very beginning, under Dean Ottinger’s leadership, the Center provided cutting-edge research and analysis of energy production alternatives’ social and environmental costs and benefits. Through careful and consistent engagement across communities, the Center was among the first organizations to highlight the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy as alternatives to conventional electricity generation.

In addition to being a force for legal and policy change, the Center also trains the next generation of smart energy leaders. Students from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University are actively involved in the Center’s projects. Haub Law student interns contribute directly to the creation and development of work products for both domestic and international projects, building important professional skills in policy analysis, legal writing, administrative practice related to electric utility law, and other areas related to energy law.

Students who participate in the Center’s work have gone on to careers at institutions central to the energy discussion, such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Energy Foundation, the California Independent System Operator, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the New York Power Authority, the New York Public Service Commission, and the New York Independent System Operator, to name a handful.

Prior to Michael’s appointment, Elisabeth Haub School of Law Adjunct Professor Joseph Siegel served as interim Executive Director of the Pace Energy and Climate Center. Previously, Joe worked for 38 years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2, office in New York where he was a Senior Attorney, co-chaired the Region 2 Climate Change Workgroup and the Office of Regional Counsel’s Climate Change Workgroup, managed the Region 2 Environmental Collaboration and Conflict Resolution program, and served on the Steering Committee of the Mid-Atlantic Federal Climate Partners.

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Meet Azeem Azhar: a soon to be Pace University dual alumni. A 2021 graduate of the Bachelor of Arts in Biological Psychology, Azeem continued into the Master of Science Physician Assistant Program – Pleasantville program, which he aims to have completed in December 2025. Throughout his time in the program, Azeem makes sure to take advantage of all Pace has to offer – connecting with the expert faculty, diving into clinical rotations, and becoming a leader in the community.

What inspired you to become a physician assistant (PA)?

I was fortunate to intern at Westchester Medical Center during my senior year of high school, which gave me early exposure to the healthcare field. I shadowed various professionals, but it was the PAs who really stood out. I admired their strong patient interaction and the unique flexibility of their role—being able to switch between specialties without being confined to just one. That balance of autonomy and collaboration is what truly drew me to the PA profession.

Why did you decide to continue at Pace for your master's program? What made this program stand out to you?

As a Pace undergrad, I was already familiar with the College of Health Professions and the high standards it maintains. The small student-to-faculty ratio was a huge plus—it fosters meaningful connections with peers and professors, creating an environment where learning is personalized and supportive. Being just five minutes from home, I could stay close to family, avoid long commutes, and devote more time to my studies. What also stood out was the program’s strong clinical affiliations throughout New York and surrounding regions, which ensures exposure to a diverse patient population and learning experience.

What has your experience with the program faculty been like?

What sets this program apart is how much the faculty genuinely care about student success. They consistently provide feedback, share learning resources, and push us to refine our foundational skills—from performing physical exams to confidently presenting patients. Their focus isn’t just to get you through exams; it’s to make sure you’re walking out of this program with a strong, lasting foundation that you can build your career on. That kind of dedication makes a big difference in your learning and growth.

What benefits and opportunities have you had in the program that stand out to you?

The greatest benefit has been the access to faculty who are not only experts in their field but are also approachable and generous with their time. I’ll never forget Professor Joshua Blair's open lab sessions that helped me feel confident before starting rotations. Dr. Lisa Millman shared customized study guides and AI learning tools and took the time to show us how to use them effectively. These moments are a reminder that this program isn’t just about instruction—it’s about mentorship.

What has been your biggest challenge during your academic career and how have you overcome it?

Coming straight from undergrad, I was one of the younger students in the program. While I was ready academically, I didn’t yet have the clinical or patient interaction experience that many of my classmates had. Fortunately, the faculty were incredibly supportive—they took the time to coach me through patient scenarios and helped me build the confidence and skills I needed to communicate effectively in a clinical setting. That level of individualized support made a huge difference.

A large part of the PA program involves engaging with the community (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, fundraisers, etc.) — what has that experience been like?

It’s a blessing to be able to give back to the community that has supported you. One thing I appreciate about this program is how it emphasizes service—it’s not just about clinical excellence, but about staying grounded in the reason many of us chose this path: to help people. From working with youth organizations to participating in fundraisers, these experiences reconnect you with the human side of medicine and remind you why you started this journey.

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You recently gave the keynote speech at Westlake High School’s National Honor Society induction. What was that like?

It was a truly special and full-circle moment. Growing up, my family moved around quite a bit, but we eventually settled in Westchester, and I attended Westlake High School. There were six of us—my siblings and I—and over time, we became well-versed in the community. Westlake embraced us, and we really felt at home.

Even after graduating over seven years ago, when I returned to give the keynote speech, students came up to me asking, students came up to me asking about my experiences and even if I was related to people that they knew. That really stuck with me. It reminded me of how close-knit and welcoming this community is, and how meaningful those ties are.

When my former high school science teacher invited me to speak at the National Honor Society induction ceremony, I was truly honored. I wanted the students to know that I had once been in their shoes—that the person speaking to them was one of their own. With my family's long-standing connection to the school, it felt like I was speaking to extended family.

In my speech, I reflected on my own journey through clinical rotations and how, even in a hospital full of professionals with accolades and experience, the qualities that truly stand out are your curiosity, your humility, and your drive to keep growing. I reminded them:

"When you're standing in front of a patient, the accolades matter less than your desire to learn, your humility in how you treat others, and your never-ending commitment to help. If you can hold onto those values, you'll go far."

That’s the message I hoped they would carry forward—because it's what continues to guide me every day in medicine.

How has CHP prepared you for life post-graduation and what are your plans?

CHP has given me more than just clinical skills—the resources they provide have helped me grow into someone who is confident navigating real-world patient care. I’ve developed a strong medical foundation, built meaningful relationships with peers and faculty, and learned the value of collaboration. These are tools I’ll take with me long after graduation.

Right now, I’m exploring interests in both surgery and emergency medicine. I'm using rotations as an opportunity to absorb as much as possible and learn from every experience. Thankfully, the formula for growth is the same in either field: show up ready to learn, study diligently, and ask questions. If I stay consistent with that mindset, I know I’ll be successful in whichever path I choose.

Any additional details you'd like to share?

Clinical rotations have been incredible. There’s something powerful about watching the material you’ve studied come alive in a real patient encounter. It deepens your appreciation for medicine and pushes you to think more critically. Seeing how symptoms, diagnostics, and treatment plans all come together in real time is what really brings learning full circle—and it keeps the curiosity alive.

One moment that really stuck with me was during a neurosurgery case. We had the chance to speak with the neurosurgeon, and someone asked about their long hours and demanding schedule. We were all amazed and asked, “Do you ever feel exhausted?” The surgeon smiled and said, "There is no exhaustion when you truly love what you do."

That line really stayed with me. It reminded me of the kind of passion I hope to carry into my own career—that when you find fulfillment in your purpose, even the hardest days are worth it.