On Friday, April 26, students from Pace University's Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems experienced a day of inspiration and innovation at Google's New York City office. The visit, which featured a series of lightning talks, a facility tour, and extensive networking opportunities, was part of the school’s commitment to experiential learning, and Pace’s priority of enhancing educational experiences through real-world exposure.

The day was hosted by Tequila Lamar, an advocate for Education for Social Impact, who facilitated the engaging sessions that offered students firsthand insights into the tech industry. Highlight speakers included Vahid G., who shared his intriguing journey into technology and artificial intelligence, and Frankie Lamar, who discussed his path from a diverse background to finding success in the tech industry, and Toby Kovacs, who illustrated how a passion for sales can lead to substantial career achievements.

Students were especially excited to interact with professionals working in what many consider their dream job environment. "Being with students as they explored one of their absolute dream offices was a gift. As they get to interact and dream big about their futures, I absolutely get to do the same," reflected Katie Todd, Seidenberg’s Assistant Dean of Strategy and Engagement and the co-director of the school’s newly founded AI Lab.

The event was not only a chance for students to glimpse the inner workings of a leading global tech company but also served as a bridge between academic theories and practical, impactful tech applications.

As Seidenberg continues to facilitate these transformative experiences, its students are increasingly equipped to enter the tech field not just as participants, but as innovators and leaders.

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Associate Professor of History Michelle Chase, PhD, has been selected as a Periclean Faculty Leader by Project Pericles and has received a $4,500 grant from the organization to create a new humanities course that incorporates a community-initiated project.

Project Pericles is an organization that focuses on voter education and is a longtime partner of Pace University’s Center for Community Action and Research (CCAR) and the Pace Votes program. The course supported by the grant also must incorporate voter education through discussion of relevant civic issues.

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With the grant, Chase launched HIS 134: Modern Latin America this spring, a course that satisfies Pace’s civic engagement requirement. Through the course, Chase and her students are partnering with a local nonprofit, the North American Congress on Latin America (NACLA), an organization dedicated to advocating for social justice throughout the Americas, focusing specifically on Latin American migration to the United States, and U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America.

“I am thrilled about this grant because it gives my students an opportunity to explore in a hands-on way what it means to be an active historian and to contemplate ways that scholarship can intersect with community engagement,” said Chase.

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Students in the course combine the academic portion—studying recent history of Latin America—with civic engagement, exploring significant events in Latin America through NACLA’s archives. The archives, located in Washington Square, include photos of Fidel Castro speaking at a rally in Cuba, protests in Puerto Rico, agricultural projects in Mexico, and more.

“The entire class has been able to fully submerge ourselves into the NACLA’s work and try to live through what they were capturing,” said Ana Cristina Armstrong Matta ’26, History. “I’m from Puerto Rico so when I found a few archives that focused solely on my home, it was so special.”

The goal of the course is to curate an online exhibit for NACLA, with students carefully selecting photos to highlight significant events and photographic works.

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Chase and Armstrong Matta also presented on the course at an event hosted by CCAR entitled Leading with Civic Engagement: Faculty Info Session on Community-Engaged Work in Civic Engagement Courses on Friday, April 12.

“It is a very eye-opening course when looking at the actions of the U.S. towards Latin American,” said Armstrong Matta. “It’s a really great experience to not just have in class discussions, but to get to see the work and even contribute to NACLA’s mission.”

Om Gaikhe (MS in Data Science ’24) is a committed senior at Pace University's Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems. Om blends rigorous academics with active campus engagement, delving deep into software development and innovative technologies. His journey started with an early interest in programming and led him to specialization in artificial intelligence. As a student who is always participating in hackathons, contributing to research, and mentoring peers, Om embodies the collaborative, ambitious spirit of the Seidenberg community, aiming to make a significant impact in the tech industry.

What initially attracted you to Pace University, and how has the school lived up to your expectations?

Shortlisting the right universities for me to study away from home was a crucial step, especially coming from a business & finance background. Not only did I want to learn more about tech, but I also wanted to be able to apply the knowledge I had consumed before. What really attracted me to Seidenberg was the flexible electives that I could choose as I proceed with my education. Data Science has multiple applicability in the real world, but Seidenberg offered more concentrated electives around multiple fields including MBA, Finance, Marketing, Information systems & Economics. It suited just right with what I was seeking.

Can you describe a class or project at Pace that was particularly impactful for you? What made it stand out?

A class at Seidenberg that deeply impacted me was my capstone class, inspired by a paper I co-authored with Dr. Christelle Scharff and our team, titled “AI Strategies: National Strategies and Regulations.” This project, which won the Best Paper Award at the RII 2024 Research and Innovation Forum in Ravello, Italy, involved developing an AI-driven chatbot that used BERTopic and Llama 2 models to streamline literature reviews for machine learning projects. What stood out was not only the advanced technical skills I developed but also how the project transformed my approach to research. The chatbot, which handled a database of over 1.7 million machine learning publications, not only enhanced research efficiency but also inspired users by making vast amounts of information easily navigable. This capstone project was a major milestone in my academic career, showcasing how technology can revolutionize traditional academic practices and highlighting the transformative potential of intuitive AI in academic research.

How have your experiences outside the classroom, such as in clubs or sports, enhanced your education at Pace?

Representing Pace Esports team the Lapis Blus, was a splendid experience full of fun, teamwork, challenge, and healthy competition. It really helps me connect with people learning different tracks of careers. I made a few friends, we played, we won, we lost, overall, it was a good place to be in.

What has been your favorite moment or memory from your time at Pace so far?

One of my most memorable experiences at Pace occurred on an eventful day when New York City experienced a 4.8 magnitude earthquake. I was part of the organizing team for the Google Women Techmakers event, held in celebration of International Women’s Day at Seidenberg. Despite the unexpected shake-up, the event was a great success. Adding to the thrill of the day, I had the opportunity to take the stage and present a paper I co-authored, titled “Inclusion Ethics in AI: Use Cases in African Fashion”. It was both a scary and thrilling day, packed with learning and unique experiences. My friends & I always have a good laugh about that day!

What advice would you give to prospective students considering Pace University?

There will be a time when things may feel overwhelming and that’s okay. Ask for help; you will find that help will always be given to those who ask for it. My advice for any prospective student would be to remember that college/university is all about the process of learning and growth. It’s a process and you must be in love with it, so that one takes initiative to work on it. Be grateful for small victories along the way and trust that there are better times ahead if you stay on the course.

Can you share a story about a professor or staff member at Pace who has significantly influenced your academic journey?

My academic journey at Pace has been profoundly influenced by the mentorship of Dr. Kaleemunnisa and Dr. Christelle Scharff. Dr. Kaleema first recognized my potential during my initial year at Seidenberg. Her guidance was crucial; she encouraged me to seek help and introduced me to Dr. Scharff, who has been instrumental in my development. Under Dr. Scharff’s mentorship, I evolved as a research and graduate assistant, making significant contributions to the fields of AI and ML. Together, we co-authored the paper "AI Strategies: National Strategies and Regulations". Dr. Kaleemunnisa's encouragement to seek help when facing challenges and Dr. Scharff’s patient mentorship opened doors to numerous research opportunities and inspired me to embrace them fully. Their support has been invaluable in shaping my academic path.

How do you engage with the Pace community and the wider environment of New York City in your studies or extracurricular activities?

Volunteering! I think that’s been my go-to way to give back to the Seidenberg community. Helping me with gaining extra knowledge and wisdom from people across the world. I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Opportunities in Africa Summit, and it was an experience to remember. The perspectives I learned, life-stories I heard, and the networking goes a long way. Probably one of the best ways to attend conferences without breaking your wallet as a student!