Graduates of the Program Will be Prepared for Jobs in the Booming Video Game Industry

Pace University’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems is launching a new Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program in Game Development starting in Fall 2024.

The video game industry is booming. Statista, a global company that collects data, insights, and statistics in over 170 industries, reports that revenue from the worldwide gaming market was estimated at almost $347 billion in 2022. Now, Pace students will have the opportunity to either create the next mobile sensation or pursue roles at esteemed companies like Nintendo, Microsoft, or Sony, among others. The technical skills and storytelling abilities acquired through the B.S. in Game Development will prove invaluable as students embark on their professional journey.

“We are pleased to expand the Seidenberg undergraduate offerings to game development, a rapidly growing industry that impacts not only entertainment, but education and healthcare as well,” said Jonathan Hill, dean of Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems. “Gaming fits well into the Seidenberg student profile—where technology meets creativity meets entrepreneurship.”

The program will provide undergraduate students with the fundamental knowledge and abilities in computer science, art, design, and narrative. Graduates will emerge as well-rounded game developers possessing a highly sought-after skill set. With a strong emphasis on hands-on learning, students will engage in extensive project coursework to develop games across various genres and styles. They will apply their learning to build real, playable games to add to a diverse portfolio to showcase in future job interviews.

The B.S. in Game Development program supports various career paths, including roles such as Gameplay Programmer, Virtual Reality Software Developer, Mobile Developer, AI Programmer, Level Designer, and Game Designer. One of the objectives of the Game Development program is for students to successfully publish a game in an app store. They will gain insights into monetization strategies and acquire the skills to collaborate effectively within a development team.

“As of 2020, the game industry is larger than the film and sports industry combined,” said Carmine Guida, professor of Computer Science and director of the game development program at Pace. “Our new Game Development major is highly project-based, enabling our students to graduate with a diverse portfolio of styles and genres of games. All are welcome to apply. Students who love technology and want to use it for creative pursuits thrive in this new major.”

Making New York City a leading hub for digital game development was a vital piece of New York City Mayor Eric Adams's "Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City's Economic Recovery," which was announced last year. In this plan, the administration affirmed its commitment to New York City's digital games industry, a sector that plays a major role in our city's economy, supporting 7,600 jobs, $762 million in wages, and $2 billion in economic output.

The new B.S. in Game Development was built for the increasing number of students passionate about creating games. This includes Michael Falco ‘24, a soon-to-be double alum who took the B.S. in Computer Science followed by the Seidenberg M.S. in Cybersecurity program. When he enrolled in a new course, Game Development for Everyone, it opened up a world of possibilities that led to Falco not just programming but actually building an arcade game, which is playable in person on the Pleasantville campus.

“Luckily enough, my junior year I took Game Development for Everyone . . . It turned out to be the best decision I've made at this university, hands down,” said Falco. “Game Development for Everyone taught me more about scripting than some of my core Computer Science classes for my major. The class allowed for a lot of creative freedom when it came to the projects, and it helped me get a grasp on the fundamentals of independent unity game development.”

With a growing number of universities and high schools recognizing the value of esports as a competitive and educational activity, New York is emerging as a state ready to lead the charge in scholastic gaming. In December 2021, Pace Athletics announced esports as its 15th varsity sport. Since its inception, Pace’s esports program has taken the college gaming world by storm. The program was recently voted No. 1 in the nation after winning a March Madness-styled bracket for college esports programs. The victory highlights the growing scholastic esports scene in New York, which played an important role in helping Pace secure the championship.

Currently, there are more than 500 members across both campuses that are a part of the Pace University gaming community, including players on Pace’s Varsity, Academy, Club, and intramural teams. In fact, Pace is defying a national trend in the growth of participation by female or non-binary athletes. In the past year, the share of women on the school’s esports team has grown to 28% from 19%, and notably, half of the members in the esports club are female.

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.

About the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems at Pace University

The Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems at Pace University is a leading institute of technology education. Students experience a dynamic and expansive technology education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. One of the first comprehensive schools of computing in the nation, the Seidenberg School is strategically located in the heart of NYC’s tech scene, right on the doorstep of New York’s most promising companies. With access to established tech giants and exciting new start-ups from both the New York City and the Westchester campus, Seidenberg offers the opportunity to connect, intern with, and enjoy lucrative tech jobs following graduation. Through partnerships with leading tech firms, banks, federal agencies, and global institutions, the school’s curricula and programs are designed to ground students in the fundamentals while offering numerous hands-on experiential learning opportunity. The faculty includes numerous experts in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, game development, software engineering, and much more, who operate labs and centers providing students with practical experience and connections that lead to impressive internships and jobs.

The Lubin Link Podcast

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After graduating with her BBA in Arts and Entertainment Management, Emma Wannie '23 was immediately rubbing shoulders with music legends. As an Assistant Shooter/Editor at Madison Square Garden, Emma shoots concerts and events at the world's most famous arena...But it's the internal events that truly capture her heart. On this episode of The Lubin Link, Emma discusses Lubin's AEM program, how she turned her dreams into reality, and her favorite shoots so far.

This episode was recorded on December 8, 2023.

• Listen to Emma on Spotify
• Listen to Emma on Apple Podcasts
• Listen to Emma online

Tune into the Lubin Link podcast to hear how guests went from go-getting Lubin students to successful entrepreneurs, social media mavens, directors, CEOs, and beyond. They offer their best tips to students and share how you can make the most out of your #LubinLife.

Jonah White-Wilson

Class of 2025

Currently Studying: BBA in Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications

Member Of: Blue CoLab, Excelsior Mentors Program, and Pace University Men's Lacrosse Team

Pronouns: He/Him

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Jonah White-Wilson is fully living the #LubinLife. Beyond being on the Pace University Men's Lacrosse Team and working on campus, Jonah took the knowledge he gained from his classes and his experience working at Pace Fit to start his own business, which focuses on delivering healthy food to his community. Between his entrepreneurial efforts, leadership skills, and internship with Dynasty Consulting, Jonah will be set up for success well before he graduates in 2025.

Why did you choose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business?

I chose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business because I wanted to be prepared, in the right setting, for what I aspire to do. As a third-year student, I can attest that Lubin's professors are well-versed professionals in the business world. New York is the best place to be in order to grow in the field of business, and Lubin professors are the mentors you need to navigate it.

How have clubs on campus helped enrich your student?

I am a new member of the Blue CoLab team. Our mission is to provide Pace University and other communities with real-time water quality data. We believe everyone has the right to know what is in their water before they drink it to prevent water-borne diseases. Through information technology and the data collected from our own Choate Pond, students have created informative and unique projects like making music out of water quality data. Once I learned about this initiative on campus, I knew I had to get involved in any way I could. I brought my Lubin skills into this Seidenberg project and joined the communications team, which helps give a platform for this wonderful project.

You are spending the semester as a Marketing Intern with Dynasty Consulting. How will this experience aid in your post-graduation career search?

Dynasty Consulting is an amazing place that allows me to hone my skills, not only as a student studying marketing but as a salesman at heart. Dynasty Consulting provides real-life, hands-on experience that has helped me develop my communication skills. Being able to consult to brokers and financial advisors across the country is a demanding yet exhilarating task. I have been selling my entire life, and having the opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced salesmen in the industry is an opportunity that cannot be replicated. I certainly would not have had this opportunity if I had not chosen the Lubin School of Business.

You worked with Pace Fit as part of the Center for Student Enterprise. What was your experience like?

Working at Pace Fit was an excellent experience for me. Being the Assistant Marketing Manager, while making what many said were "the best smoothies on campus," was a pleasure. It was always fun meeting and connecting with new people. I was also making the beloved TikToks for Pace Fit. The TikToks were filled with comedy while also serving as a marketing tool and a way to push our new smoothies to customers.

Tell us about your business, Acai on Wheels.

Acai on Wheels is a mobile acai business I started in the summer of 2023. Acai on Wheels is located in the Upper Marlboro area in my home state, Maryland. I walk around my neighborhood, knocking on doors and taking appointments from customers interested in ordering acai bowls. I make them fresh right on their doorstep. We also cater events such as concerts, birthdays, office parties, and more! I started this business because I realized there was a lack of healthy food options in my area, and there was no better time than summertime to connect with my neighbors and serve them fresh, organic acai. Serving my community is a great honor, and there aren't any other great-tasting healthy options within 20 miles. I wanted to be the one to give my community a sweet treat during the scorching hot summer months.

How have your Lubin classes helped you further the success of your business?

My Lubin classes have taught me many skills that I have applied to my own business, such as budgeting, marketing, and all the ins and outs of how to run a business. There are many pros and cons to starting a business, but being a part of the Lubin School of Business made the process easier by preparing me on what to expect. Having one-on-one meetings with professors and taking in the material provided has educated me on how to build a foundation to run my business effectively and with great profitability.

You are also a member of the Pace University Men's Lacrosse Team. How will your team building skills help you in the business world post-graduation?

Being part of the Pace University Men's Lacrosse Team gives me real insight into how to work on a team. I think of my team as one big family. We work together, we have disputes, we have success, and at the end of the day, we will always be together. That's what being on a team means—friendship. Being a leader while also being a follower of others gives me transferable skills for the business world that many other people will not have. Two of the biggest skills I've gained on the lacrosse team that will help me within the business world are handling adversity and communication. Those skills are pivotal in my own business and will be pivotal in future business ventures.

Having a vast alumni network while also being on the lacrosse team provides many great opportunities. Pairing that with Career Services will open up so many doors for me after graduation. Pace University gives its students a leg up in the already-ultra-competitive business world.

What has been your favorite opportunity at Pace?

My favorite opportunity at Pace has been networking with alumni and working with Career Services. Having a vast alumni network while also being on the lacrosse team provides many great opportunities. Pairing that with Career Services will open up so many doors for me after graduation. Other universities cannot replicate this opportunity simply because New York is the "mecca" of business. Pace University gives its students a leg up in the already-ultra-competitive business world.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students?

Please, please, please go to as many events as possible and connect with as many people as possible! You never know who you may run into. Always look professional, hold great eye contact, and if someone gives you their information or connects you with someone, actually contact them! You only have four years at Lubin to soak up all the valuable information from extremely knowledgeable people, so do not waste it!

What does #LubinLife mean to you?

We can all agree that, in high school, choosing a university that helps you reach your goals is a difficult process. However, I would do it all over again, knowing that at the end of my four years, I would be able to say that I am a product of #LubinLife. Pace University has students and faculty from all over the world—kind professors helping you in all aspects of life and a community filled with friendship. I cannot thank my teammates, coaches, professors, classmates, and mentees enough for shaping my amazing experience at the Lubin School of Business. There is no place I'd rather be than at Pace University in the Lubin School of Business.

Connect with Jonah:

• Connect with Jonah on LinkedIn
• Follow Jonah on Instagram
• Follow Acai on Wheel on Instagram
• Visit Acai on Wheels' website
• Follow Jonah on Tik Tok

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Yomara Lopez

Class of 2012

Bachelor of Arts in Communications

Yomara Lopez is a bilingual and investigative reporter, most recently for NBC Universal Telemundo in California, and three-time Emmy award winning journalist.

Please tell us more about your role and how your work is meaningful to you.

My role is to bring to light issues and concerns that are affecting the Latino community. The relationship and trust I’ve built with my viewers has allowed me to tell their stories and help them report crimes they were previously afraid to even speak about. Most importantly, my investigations have helped authorities reopen various cases of wage theft and human trafficking. One of my most recent investigations in San Jose, California, led the mayor of the city to propose an ordinance to prohibit homeless living next to schools. Investigative journalism is about affecting change with stories, and that’s why my work is so meaningful to me. If I’m not making a difference, I’m not doing something right.

Please tell us more about your Emmy wins and your role(s) leading up to them.

I won my first Emmy with Univision Sacramento in June of 2019 for my coverage of Camp Fire, the deadliest fire in the history of California. As part of this experience, I spent months in Paradise, a city that was wiped out by the fire, speaking to survivors and those who lost everything. This year, I won two Emmys with Telemundo in the Bay Area: one for best daily news report story for my coverage on a rat infestation problem in one of the biggest homeless encampments in Santa Clara County, and another for an educational piece on inmates getting a second chance in education through a college credit program at Elmwood Jail in Milpitas.

Why did you choose to major in the Bachelor of Arts in Communications?

Ever since I was a little girl, I enjoyed writing and was always curious about things that were happening in my community, and as I got older, I realized that journalism was a way that I could help those in need.

How has your degree prepared you for your career? How did you get started in your career?

The cinematography and video production classes taken at Pace helped me become a better multimedia journalist (MMJ), which means being able to shoot, write, and edit my own stories. My first job in the industry was behind the camera as an associate producer for the early morning shows on Telemundo 51 in Miami. From there, I obtained a job as a producer/reporter for an international channel called Hola TV, followed by work as an MMJ at Telemundo Oklahoma. I was also an MMJ at Telemundo Austin and Univision Sacramento.

Investigative journalism is about affecting change with stories, and that’s why my work is so meaningful to me. If I’m not making a difference, I’m not doing something right.

Why did you choose to attend Pace? Did you have any internships as a student?

I liked the program that Pace offered in communications, as well as access to internship opportunities for students (I always wanted to live in New York, so that was also a plus).

I had several internships through Pace, which included Telemundo Sports in Miami, CBS Newspath in New York City, and Telemundo in New Jersey. My internships were so helpful because they showed me what it was like to work in the industry and helped me decide that I wanted to be a reporter. Through my internship with CBS, I was offered a per diem position with 48 Hours to help translate information about illegal adoptions in Guatemala. It was then that I realized I wanted to be an investigative reporter.

Are there any challenges you have faced that you overcame and are proud of?

I was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and at 11, moved to Miami, Florida. Coming to the United States without speaking the English language was difficult, and I dealt with a lot of bullying growing up because of my accent. As I got older, I realized that my accent was part of my identity and I started to embrace it. I never thought I would be working as a bilingual reporter for Telemundo and NBC in the Bay Area and with the investigative unit team, but here I am living my dream. I never gave up and always believed in myself.

What advice would you give to our students, as they navigate their college life?

Take advantage of as many internships as possible, as they will provide you with a sense of what you want to do professionally. Most importantly, don’t give up on your dreams. There will always be hard days, but be persistent, stay focused, and believe in yourself. You’ll get there.

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The Pace University Art Gallery has received a $20,000 grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), recognizing the quality of the gallery’s exhibitions over the past three years. The grant, which will support artist stipends and exhibit marketing, will take effect on January 1, 2024, beginning with an exhibit featuring contemporary comic book artists. Through New York State’s continued investment in arts and culture, NYSCA has awarded over $80 million since Spring 2023 to over 1,500 artists and organizations across the state.

“Pace University Art Gallery is dedicated to developing local partnerships that are so critical to reaching a diverse audience,” said Pace University Art Gallery Director Sarah Cunningham. “The support from NYSCA will help us continue to provide enriching, meaningful exhibitions and programming and enhance our outreach to our downtown community.”

Since its launch in its current space on the ground level of 41 Park Row in 2019, the Pace University Art Gallery has sought to provide innovative, thought-provoking exhibits and programs that are free and open to the public. The rotating exhibitions have highlighted diverse artists and a wide array of subject matter, including a partnership with New York Latin American Art Triennial’s multi-site exhibit and an exhibition showcasing art by New York City sanitation workers.

The Gallery also received a grant from NYSCA in 2023. The Gallery’s first NYSCA-supported exhibit in February 2023 was Degentrification Archives, a collection of pieces from the Chinatown Art Brigade amplifying the stories of those impacted by the gentrification of Chinatown near Pace’s downtown Manhattan campus. During the exhibit, the Gallery hosted an artist panel discussion, a zine workshop, and the launch of the Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence (CAAAV) archive.

Throughout 2023, the Gallery hosted three more exhibitions supported by NYSCA. To Be Made Whole featured work from five artists who sought to explore identity through representational imagery using tangible textiles. A solo exhibition by Firoz Mahmud entitled Inscaping Legacies reflected upon the histories of the South Asian Bengal region, connecting his roots to immigrant communities in New York City.

The current solo exhibition, Mother Octopus, features the work of Mie Yim, who, by breaking apart her cute characters with abstraction, invites the viewer to deeply feel her subjects’ dynamic inner states rather than to gloss over their sweet facades. The exhibit also includes a mural, which features a deep-sea cephalopod brooding her eggs. The mural was created in collaboration between Yim and students in Cunningham’s Introduction to Museum and Curatorial Studies course.

This exhibit, which remains on view through Saturday, January 20, 2024, is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. The artist will also give a talk about her work on Tuesday, November 28, at 2:15 p.m. The gallery is located in Lower Manhattan at 41 Park Row. All of the gallery’s exhibits and events are free and open to the public. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday–Saturday from 12:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. and by appointment.

About the New York State Council on the Arts

The mission of the New York State Council on the Arts is to foster and advance the full breadth of New York State’s arts, culture, and creativity for all. To support the ongoing recovery of the arts across New York State, the Council on the Arts will award $127 million in FY 2024. The Council on the Arts further advances New York's creative culture by convening leaders in the field and providing organizational and professional development opportunities and informational resources. Created by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1960 and continued with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, the Council is an agency that is part of the Executive Branch. For more information, please visit the NYSCA website, and follow NYSCA's Facebook page, Twitter @NYSCArts and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts.

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When Dan Ruben was a 2L he read a small article in the NY Times about a program at another law school where students were raising money to fund summer public interest jobs. A self-starter, committed to public interest, he thought this program was a great idea and decided to start a similar one at Haub Law, which today, we know as PILSO.

“To get the program off the ground, I went knocking on the office doors of every faculty member. I was surprised and very pleased that nearly all of them took out their checkbooks and made a contribution,” said Dan. “I realized that this idea could grow beyond fundraising at the level of a single school.” Dan describes starting PILSO as the highlight of his law school career. “The issue driving it—the lack of adequate legal representation for so many Americans—is so compelling, the need is so great, that I imagined such an organization could be successful on a national scale. I realized almost right away what I’d be doing when I graduated.”

In 1993, Dan launched Equal Justice America. His goal upon founding EJA was “to put as many law students and graduates as possible to work on behalf of people in need.” Dan wanted to help law students committed to public interest get hands-on experience that would help them achieve their career goals and thereby the greater good.

“I wanted to see our EJA Fellows become inspired by the work and turn their Fellowship experience into careers devoted to helping others in need. The organization started off modestly but has grown exponentially. In the summer of 1994, EJA awarded five law student fellowships. Since then, more than 6,000 law students have served as Equal Justice America Fellows working with more than 700 legal aid programs across the country. “So many of our EJA Fellows have done exactly what I had hoped. They’ve devoted their careers to public interest and provide shining examples of how the benefits of our program long outlive the duration of each individual fellowship.”

In more recent years, EJA has started funding post-graduate fellowships. “We currently have post-grad EJA Fellows advocating for domestic violence victims, veterans, young people trying to avoid the school to prison pipeline and human trafficking survivors,” said Dan. “Another post-grad EJA Fellow’s work is focused on civil rights, racial justice and ending the criminalization of poverty.”

In 2000, Equal Justice America partnered with the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University to establish its Disability Rights Clinic. “I was grateful to the Law School and wanted to give back.” One of EJA’s Board Members, David Santacroce, was the very first student at Pace to respond to Dan’s call to his fellow students for help launching PILSO. “David and I had conversations with Professor Vanessa Merton way back then and the EJA Disability Rights Clinic was the result of those conversations.” The Clinic was launched with a major grant and an ongoing commitment from EJA.

Over the years, the EJA Disability Rights Clinic led by Professor Gretchen Flint and more recently Professor Patricia Angley, has helped develop so many students into public interest attorneys and as a result helped so many low-income individuals with disabilities.

When Dan started law school, he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. “I was looking for a way to try to do some good. When I had that great success in getting Pace faculty to support PILSO I knew that I was on to something and that I had found a way to use my law degree in a constructive way that would help lots of people who really needed it.”

Over the years, PILSO has remained steadfast in their commitment to helping students launch careers in public service. The student run organization runs public service networking events, career panels, and also collaborates closely with the thriving Public Interest Law Center (“PILC”). PILC was formed at Haub Law in 2009 to unite and expand the public interest programs and career opportunities at the Law School and has continued to grow and expand their initiatives.

In the early 2000’s, Haub Law and PILSO recognized Dan and his trailblazing efforts of founding PILSO and Equal Justice America with a Lifetime Achievement Award. “Dan has done more for the practice of public interest law in this country than any other Pace Law graduate,” Haub Law Professor Vanessa Morton wrote in an email to her faculty colleagues, which was read at the dinner that honored Dan.

Today, Dan is confident he made the right career path for himself in founding PILSO and ultimately, EJA. “The U.S. Constitution rightly guarantees that criminal defendants will be provided with legal counsel. There is no such right to counsel for people who are unable to afford lawyers in legal matters involving basic human needs - such as shelter, sustenance, safety, health, and child custody.

The Legal Services Corporation estimates that 80% of the legal needs of low-income people are not being met. “That justice gap needs to be closed,” said Dan. “Unfortunately, what EJA is able to do is really just a drop in the bucket. Legal aid programs need to be better funded to meet the need. However, in our own small way, I believe EJA has contributed to a better and more just legal system by encouraging students to make careers serving others and giving them the opportunity to get the experience necessary to have successful public interest careers. Countless thousands of individuals struggling to keep it together in difficult and often desperate situations have received help from our EJA Fellows during their Fellowships and during their careers as public interest attorneys.”

Equal Justice America is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year, please consider a donation.