Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University Professor Nicholas A. Robinson was honored with Pace University’s prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his dedication to teaching, service, and scholarship, and his significant contributions to and impact on the University community. A pioneering figure in environmental law, Professor Robinson has been a distinguished member of the faculty at Haub Law since 1978. The award was presented during the 2025 Faculty Recognition Ceremony, held in the company of esteemed colleagues and peers.

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This honor is among many that reflect Professor Robinson’s extraordinary legacy. In 2009, Pace University conferred the prestigious position of University Professor for the Environment on Professor Robinson for his significant contribution to scholarship in the field of environmental law, both in the USA and abroad. He also holds the title of inaugural Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law Emeritus.

Professor Robinson is widely recognized in the U.S. and globally as a pioneer of modern environmental law. He began developing environmental law in 1969, when he was named to the Legal Advisory Committee of the President’s Council on Environmental Quality. Professor Robinson is Chair Emeritus of the IUCN World Commission on Environment Law, serving from 1996 to 2004, and responsible for many innovations including the launch of the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law. He has engaged in drafting treaties and counseling different countries on preparation of environmental laws.

During his tenure at the Law School, Professor Robinson helped establish its environmental law programs, founded the environmental law review, launched the Pace Environmental Law Clinic, secured Pace’s membership in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and pioneered the first United Nation’s Environmental Diplomacy Practicum. His work and influence can be attributed to advancing the Law School’s premiere reputation as the top ranked Environmental Law Program in the nation and across the globe.

Professor Robinson is a prolific legal scholar with hundreds of books, chapters, law review and scholarly journal articles and citations to his credit on pressing topics including conservation, historic preservation, climate change, sustainable development, zoonosis, human rights, international environmental law and more. A collection of his work is preserved in the Nicholas A. Robinson Seminar Space dedicated at the Law School in 2024.

Professor Robinson has contributed greatly to public service at the local, state and international level, serving on dozens of boards and committees over his career. Demonstrating his impact in the field of Environmental Law, Professor Robinson has been honored with numerous awards and accolades. Two awards have also been created in his honor to celebrate outstanding achievement in the field of Environmental Law: the Nicholas Robinson Award for Distinguished Environmental Achievement, established at Haub Law in 2005, and the Nicholas Robinson Award for Excellence in Environmental Law, created by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Commission on Environmental Law in 2021.

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The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes Professor Robinson’s extraordinary career and his unwavering dedication to excellence in the field of Environmental Law and the indelible impact he has had on Pace University as a whole.

Established in 1971 in White Plains, the law firm Cuddy & Feder LLP has always had strong ties with its community. When Pace Law School (now the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University) opened its doors five years later, a close relationship between the firm and the law school naturally evolved. Now, in 2025, fourteen Haub Law graduates are employed as attorneys at Cuddy & Feder.

“Our firm prioritizes initiatives that support Haub Law students,” shared Kristen Motel ’15. “Our firm’s Diversity Committee theme for 2025 is: Cuddy & Feder Gives Back. We want to highlight our firm’s commitment to local communities. In this spirit, we came up with the idea to organize a suit donation to Haub Law’s Career Center, which was met with enthusiastic support throughout the firm.”

The suit donation initiative was spearheaded by Kristen Motel ’15, Maximillian Mahalek ’19, and the firm’s Diversity Committee. Both Kristen and Maximillian shared that they both had very positive experiences during their time as students at Haub Law. “The opportunity to participate in different legal clinics, in tandem with the support of the Career Center, opens countless doors for students to get in-depth and practical experience working in their fields of interest,” said Maximillian.

The Haub Law community is a close-knit community where many graduates rely on one another for mentoring, referrals, and networking long into the future.

“The Haub Law community is a close-knit community where many graduates rely on one another for mentoring, referrals, and networking long into the future,” said Kristen. “Alumni strive to stay engaged and seek out ways to support the school and its students. We want to equip the next generation of legal professionals with the tools and confidence that they need to succeed. This latest initiative of Cuddy & Feder is an example of that support.”

Film to Make its International Premiere on May 19

PaceDocs team spotlights Azorean musical heritage

Pace University’s documentary film team – PaceDocs – will be making its international premiere of its latest film, Viola da Terra: Harmony of the Azores, on the Azorean island of Terceira, Portugal, on May 19.

It follows the film’s successful debut on May 5 to a sold-out theater at the Jacob Burns Film Center and marks the second time that a PaceDocs production will be shown in two languages – Portuguese and English.

The documentary captures the essence of Azorean music through interviews with master musician Rafael Carvalho, Mayor José Gabriel do Álamo de Meneses, educators and artisans, highlighting the instrument's significance in preserving the region's heritage.

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The documentary was produced by Dyson College of Arts and Sciences Professors Maria Luskay and Lou Guarneri, and Pace University’s documentary film team.

“Producing a documentary in just 14 weeks is an extraordinary feat, one that few, if any, professors and students — undergraduate or graduate — undertake at this level,” said Luskay. “This is not a class where assignments are handed out and left to be completed independently. We’re in the trenches together — writing, filming, editing, problem solving. We do it all side by side, that’s what makes it so meaningful and so rewarding.”

Viola da Terra: Harmony of the Azores delves into the rich musical traditions of the Azores, focusing on the viola da terra— a traditional 12- to 15-string instrument integral to Azorean cultural identity.

The documentary is the focus of the popular class, “Producing the Documentary”, which is part of the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences at Pace University’s highly regarded film program that requires students complete a full-length environmentally themed documentary within 14 weeks. During the process, students learn teamwork, problem-solving, research, and organization, along with technical skills such as lighting, sound, camera work, interviewing, and other real-life lessons necessary to complete a film.

The course prepares students for careers in a growing industry: Westchester County, for example, is home to several major film studios and the county recently announced that its film and television sector generated $924 million in economic impact in 2024. The data highlights steady growth in production activity, employment and local revenue, reinforcing Westchester’s reputation as a sought-after destination for film and television production.

The PaceDocs crew conducted on-location filming across São Miguel and Terceira islands, capturing performances, workshops, and community events that showcase the viola da terra's role in Azorean culture. The premiere event featured a reception with traditional Azorean music and a post-screening Q&A session with the filmmakers.

“I’m originally from Brazil, so being part of a documentary that also includes Portuguese meant a lot to me,” said Carolina Caputo Nogueira, a sophomore digital cinema and filmmaking major. “This is one of the most important things I’ve done so far because it helps bring the culture of Portugal and the Azores here. It’s something we should keep alive — and I’m proud to have contributed to that.”

“This was my second time on the PaceDocs team after working on The Cooper in Spain, and filming in the Azores was an entirely new and inspiring experience,” said Donovann Smit, a senior digital cinema and filmmaking major from California. “Operating the drone in such a stunning landscape gave me the chance to capture the beauty and culture of the islands in a way that brought the story to life.”

“Viola da Terra” continues a proud tradition of producing high-quality, meaningful and award-winning films. In recent years, Pace filmmakers have produced documentaries from around the globe focusing on a number of topics, including the craft of barrel making in Spain (The Cooper, 2024), which received multiple international awards; the farm-to-table food movement in France (2023); how oysters depend on the ebb and flow of tides (2022); the importance of bees as pollinators in our food supply (2021); the impact of earthquakes in Hawaii (2019); the endurance of the people of Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria (2018); Cuba at a cultural crossroads (2016); reviving Curacao’s coral reefs (2015); as well as many other poignant films.

“Once again, Dyson College’s student filmmakers have created a fascinating and beautifully crafted documentary,” said Tresmaine R. Grimes, dean of the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education. “Viola da Terra: Harmony of the Azores highlights the importance of preserving cultural traditions and shows how this unique instrument reflects the soul of the Azorean community.”

About Dyson College of Arts and Science

Pace University’s liberal arts college, Dyson College, offers more than 50 programs, spanning the arts and humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and pre-professional programs (including pre-medicine, pre-veterinary, and pre-law), as well as many courses that fulfill core curriculum requirements. The College offers access to numerous opportunities for internships, cooperative education and other hands-on learning experiences that complement in-class learning in preparing graduates for career and graduate/professional education choices.

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.

Versatile – a word to describe the work done by speech pathologists, and more specifically, Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) student, Julia Bonoan.

Julia joined the CSD program in the fall of 2023 and has had the opportunity to complete one of her externships at the Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) - a short-term, field placement experience where students connect with mentoring physicians and supervising clinicians.

As a medical placement opportunity, Julia would meet with several patients throughout the day for either their usually scheduled therapy session, an initial evaluation, or a Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS). This experience pushed Julia into new learning opportunities.

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“It was difficult to switch gears from seeing a patient with aphasia, then assessing a patient’s swallow in an MBSS, and then doing cognitive therapy with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) patient,” Julia explained. “But I was able to adapt quickly to the fast-paced environment with the support and guidance from my supervisors and by making sure I was prepared for the day.”

Even though the medical placement created a new challenge for Julia, working with the patients made it all worth it. Each patient has their own goal in mind and their own treatment plan to follow. She describes her patients’ motivation to succeed and their desire to get better as “contagious” – which in turn helped her be a better provider.

To best prepare Julia and her fellow classmates for their externships, the CSD department’s faculty and staff work closely with the students. Students take specialized courses including Dysphagia, Adult Language Disorders, Motor Speech Disorders, Neuroscience, and other courses that create the foundation needed for success.

Additionally, all students work in Pace’s on-campus Speech, Language, and Hearing Center in Manhattan, a cornerstone of the CSD Program, before moving on to the externships. The clinic is free to the community and patients range from children through geriatric with all different disorders to give a well-rounded, educational training experience.

To ensure that student’s get a variety of experiences, they get connected with multiple externship sites – including private practices, a highly specialized private school for students ages 5-21 years with traumatic brain injuries and multiple disabilities, and a school that provides high quality services to children of all ages and their families utilizing a combination of academic and therapeutic approaches. The Program makes a point of connecting students with placements based on their interests and preferences, which allowed Julia the opportunity to work at her old elementary school, creating what she called “a full circle moment.”

When the CSD Program was launched in 2015, Founding Director and Associate Professor Linda Carozza, PhD, worked to develop her connections with community partners and wanted to find a partner that was medically focused.

“In medical speech, the students actually practiced bedside techniques, on patients who have had strokes, or catastrophic accidents causing TBI.” Dr. Carozza explained. “Julia is a wonderful, accepting, and open-minded student. She's perfect for these types of programs with the adults and in the community and works very well with the hospital directly.”

Prior to joining Pace, Dr. Carozza had started a patient group at SIUH, focusing on helping patients with long-standing aphasia that occurred after a stroke in order to create a community where they could share communication challenges, help practice techniques after being released from the hospital, and provide support to one another. Her existing relationship with SIUH made way for the perfect opportunity for CSD students to complete their externship at this sought-after site.

"Medical settings like SIUH are highly desired sites for externship,” explained Ellayne Ganzfried, M.S, Director of the Speech, Language Center. "We are proud of Julia's motivation to prepare for the very competitive interview process and successfully secure this opportunity."

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In addition to landing her goal externship locations, Julia has continually taken advantage of the opportunities the CSD Program has provided. She attended the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention in Boston her first semester, giving her networking opportunities with speech-language pathologists across the country. In the classroom, faculty created interprofessional collaborations on case studies and simulations with students in the College of Health Professions Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Nutrition and Dietetics, and Physician Assistant master programs which Julia notes has been a highlight of the program.

“Pace provided me with a challenging and supportive environment to thrive in the field of speech-language pathology. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunities I was given to practice my skills and begin my journey as a clinician. Pace has given me the foundation to be the speech-language pathologist I’ve always dreamed of becoming.”

Julia is expected to graduate in May 2025. We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors!

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What attracted you to Pace?

I was drawn to Pace for many reasons. My career has focused on the access, success, and graduation of low-income students, and of the transformative promise that higher education provides. Knowing that Pace is committed and recognizes supporting students’ upward social mobility was something that aligns with my personal and professional values. I felt additionally attracted to several of the university’s strategic pillars: commitment to becoming an anti-racist university, and to becoming a student-centered university. These principles and goals align with my work as a Student Affairs Educator.

How do you contribute to the success of Pace?

At Pace, I hope that my systems-focused strategic planning approach and collaborative practice have helped the university in strengthening and advancing our current policies and practices. As a result, important partnerships and collaborative coalitions across the institution to help achieve our shared goals have been established. Student Affairs folks also handle emergencies and crisis management rather often. I’ve been grateful to have the opportunity to serve our talented staff within the Division of Student Affairs and impact positive changes on the institutional level. And most of all, my team and I work diligently to ensure that our students feel a strong sense of belonging, have reliable support systems and see how much we care as a result of our work.

What is your favorite aspect of working in Student Affairs?

At the heart of Student Affairs are the students themselves. They are our namesake and purpose for being. I often tell students that we work for them in terms of providing support systems, compassion, advocacy, and giving them a voice. I love that at Pace, colleagues across the institution approach students and their experience in quite the same way. In addition to connecting with, mentoring and serving the Student Affairs team, supporting hundreds of events per year, and watching our staff grow as professionals, my favorite part of any day is making the time to talk and connect with students.

What hobbies/activities do you like to participate in outside of work?

My wife and I have become green thumbs, often tending to our tomato, eggplant, cucumber, and herb garden. We often go hiking on the weekend, exploring the river towns of the Hudson Valley, and cheer our kids on at their sporting events. With the help of my staff, I am inspired to get back into running again.

Is there anything else, that you would like to share with the Pace Community?

There are remarkable people at Pace – students, faculty, and staff! If we can continue to work closely together, communicate clearly and often, and break down organizational silos, there is nothing we can’t achieve. Community is at the heart of our success in Student Affairs.

Sending your student off to college is a big step—for them and for you. At Pace University, we’re committed to making that transition as smooth and supportive as possible. From academic advising and free tutoring to vibrant student life and health resources, we’ve built a strong network of services to ensure your student’s success both in and out of the classroom.

Wondering how your student will register for classes, get involved on campus, or receive mail? Need to know about billing, insurance, or accommodations? We’ve got answers. Our Frequently Asked Questions guide is designed with families in mind—giving you peace of mind while empowering your student to navigate their new chapter with confidence.

Getting Started at Pace

If my student needs an accommodation, how do we start the process? who should we contact?
To request academic accommodations through Student Accessibility Services (SAS), students must:

1. Self-identify by filling out the SAS Registration Form.
2. Submit documentation via fax at (914) 989–8047 or by email at disability@pace.edu.
3. Call SAS at (212) 346–1526 to schedule an intake screening appointment (approximately 60 minutes, conducted remotely by phone).

All three components are required to initiate the accommodation process.

How do students get involved on campus?
The Center for Student Engagement offers a range of student groups and educational, social, and professional development co-curricular opportunities. These provide students with meaningful outlets for involvement and help them stay connected to the campus and community at Pace.

Students can download the Corq app or explore SetterSync to view student organizations, find out about upcoming meetings, and learn about campus events. Events, announcements, and opportunities are also posted on the Current Student page.

Stay connected through the following links:

• Student clubs and orgs
• Pace University’s Instagram
• New York City Student Engagement on Instagram
• Pleasantville Student Engagement on Instagram

Academic Resources at Pace

Are tutoring services available for students?
Yes. Free tutoring is available both in person and online for specific subject areas. No appointment is necessary. For more details, visit the Learning Commons website.

How is my first-year students’ first semester schedule created?
Your students’ First Year Advisor creates their first semester schedule; it is generally 15–17 credits, 5 days a week and is designed to help them graduate on time. Students review their schedule with their advisor at Orientation. After their first semester, students will select courses with guidance from their advisor and register themselves for classes.

What is academic advisement all about at Pace?
Student academic advisement at Pace is proactive, holistic, and collaborative. Advisors provide students with ongoing support and relevant advisement to support them in developing their goals, achieving academic success and planning for timely graduation. First-year students are assigned a first-year advisor and transfer students are assigned an advisor in their school/program.

How can we learn about the resources that will help my student thrive at Pace?
Your student’s Advisor will be their go-to person for this and so much more. They’ll walk them through everything Pace has to offer. You can also check out the Pace 101 website—it’s a great hub for student resources and ways to get involved on campus.

Health, Safety, and Wellness

Are students required to have health insurance?
All full-time undergraduate and graduate students, both domestic and international, are required to have health insurance. Students are automatically enrolled in Pace’s accident/sickness plan upon registration. A waiver is available if comparable coverage is provided. Visit the Health Insurance website for more information.

How does Pace ensure my student’s safety on campus?
Pace University is committed to providing a safe, secure environment for all students. Our campuses in New York City and Westchester are protected by trained security staff 24/7, 365 days a year. Make sure your student downloads the PaceSafe mobile app for instant safety resources, updates, and ready access to contact information.

Key safety features include:

• On-site professional security personnel
• Emergency alerts sent via text, email, and voicemail
• Card-access buildings and surveillance cameras
• Escort services from dusk to dawn
• Strong partnerships with local law enforcement

How does Pace support overall wellness and well-being?
Pace's Center for Wellbeing supports our community through a variety of events, resources, and on-campus initiatives. Learn more at the Center for Wellbeing website.

Housing, Dining, and Mail

Are meal plans required?
Yes. All full-time residents and commuters must purchase a campus meal plan. Plans are assigned based on earned academic credit hours or housing location. Learn more on the Meal Plans website.

My student is living on campus. What are the residence hall move-in dates and is there anything we need to know about scheduling a move-in time?
All students moving into the residence halls are required to select a move-in appointment prior to arrival. The Housing Operations Staff will send out full details to all students with directions on how to select a move in appointment, so please ensure that they are regularly checking their Pace email. Please note that students will be required to complete their Housing Agreement, their Housing Pre-Arrival Form, their Insurance form, AND ensure their student account is in good standing before they will be able to select a move in appointment. For more information about move-in dates for both the NYC and Westchester campuses, visit arrival process page.

What’s my student’s mailing address?
Use the following format when sending mail to students on campus:

New York City Campus

15 Beekman:
STUDENT’S NAME
15 Beekman, Rm. XXXX
New York, NY 10038

182 Broadway:
STUDENT’S NAME
182 Broadway, Rm. XXXX
New York, NY 10038

55 John Street:
STUDENT’S NAME
55 John Street, Rm. XXXX
New York, NY 10038

33 Beekman:
STUDENT’S NAME
33 Beekman, Rm. XXXX
New York, NY 10038

Pleasantville Campus

All student mail is delivered to the Elm Hall mailroom for pickup. Improperly addressed mail may be delayed or returned to sender.

STUDENT’S NAME
Pace University
99 Castleton Street
C/O Residence Hall Name
Pleasantville, NY 10570

Mail Services will email students when a package or letter is delivered, along with instructions for retrieval.

Finances, Student Records, and Privacy

What is FERPA?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Once a student turns 18 or enters a postsecondary institution, FERPA rights transfer from the parent to the student. Visit the Pace University FERPA website for more information.

How do I view and pay my student’s bill?
Your student will receive an online bill via the Pace Portal, and a paper bill will be mailed to their address on file. Visit the Billing and Payments website to learn more.

I'm worried that I may be missing important information from Pace. What can I do?
First, make sure your student is regularly checking their Pace email. The University uses email to communicate and it's critical that your student make a habit of reading what we send. We also post recent communications on the Parents and Families hub. Additionally, Pace provides parents and families with essential tools—Next Gen Dynamic Forms, FERPA authorization, and TouchNet—to stay informed, manage important processes, and confidently support their student’s academic journey. Make sure you familiarize yourself with these systems and register today.

Parent Communication and Visiting

Are there any hotels near Pace campuses that I can stay at when we visit our student?
Looking for a place to stay near campus? We've got you covered. Here are a few of the hotels near Pace's New York City and Westchester campuses offering discounts to the Pace Community.

Will I receive updates from the University? How can I stay informed?
Most University communications are sent directly to students, so we encourage you to remind your student to regularly check their Pace email. That said, families don’t miss out—you’ll receive Pace Now, our monthly University newsletter, and can also sign up for CampusESP, a parent-specific platform featuring key dates, deadlines, and resources. Visit the Parents and Families hub to explore recent student communications and stay connected.

U.S. Small Business Administration honors Pace SBDC during National Small Business Week

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The Pace University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been named the 2025 SBDC of Excellence and Innovation by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) New York District Office, a highlight of this year’s National Small Business Week.

The award recognizes exemplary performance in program delivery, management innovation, and economic impact among small businesses from diverse backgrounds. Based at Pace University’s Lower Manhattan campus and part of the New York SBDC network, the Pace SBDC offers in-depth, confidential business advisement, training, and research at no cost to clients. The center’s work is supported through funding from the SBA, the State of New York, and Pace University.

“Congratulations to the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). This well-deserved honor from the SBA underscores the center’s deep commitment to delivering impactful services to entrepreneurs across our city,” said Lawrence G. Singleton, dean of the Lubin School of Business. “I commend Regional Director Andrew Flamm and his dedicated team for their continued excellence and innovation.”

“Throughout its decades-long history, the Pace SBDC has remained a cornerstone of New York City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke. “This recognition is a tribute to the team’s hard work and unwavering support of small businesses, especially in underserved communities.”

The Pace Small Business Development Center is one of the City’s leading business development hubs for new entrepreneurs and small businesses, and I’m thrilled that it has been recognized with the well-deserved SBDC Excellence and Innovation Award from the SBA,” said Congressman Dan Goldman. "It has been a pleasure to work closely with Pace SBDC in supporting the small businesses that drive our economy, and I will continue to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to give every NYC small business the chance to succeed.

In the past year alone, Pace SBDC provided one-on-one counseling to nearly 1,500 clients, generating more than $12 million in economic impact and supporting the creation or retention of over 2,400 jobs. In response to growing demand, the SBA and the New York State SBDC tapped the Pace SBDC to expand services to Brooklyn, where it now operates in-person sessions at six locations in partnership with local officials, community groups, and the Brooklyn Public Library.

“Our team is deeply committed to helping small businesses in Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan thrive,” said Andrew Flamm, regional director of the Pace SBDC. “Receiving this award motivates us to continue enhancing our high-impact programs in areas like financing, marketing, procurement, and business planning.”

“The Pace SBDC is a trusted resource for small businesses throughout the New York region,” said Matt Coleman, SBA Atlantic Regional Administrator. “Their expertise and dedication help ensure that entrepreneurs not only access vital SBA programs but also gain the tools to grow and scale successfully.”

“Pace SBDC’s commitment to small business success is unmatched,” added John Mallano, district director of SBA’s Metro New York Office. “Their advisors work tirelessly to help businesses start, grow, and expand across Manhattan and Brooklyn. We’re proud to name them the SBDC Center of Excellence and Innovation for 2025.”

“From CPA-led finance clinics to website development workshops and bootcamps, Pace SBDC continues to lead with high-value programs that drive real results,” said Sonya Smith, state director of the New York SBDC network. “This award reflects their ability to combine innovation with impact.”

Since launching in 1986, Pace SBDC has directly supported more than 20,100 small businesses, facilitating over $255 million in investment and helping to create or retain more than 10,600 jobs across New York.

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 Pace University Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

The Pace University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is part of a statewide network created to help small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs grow or launch their business ventures and is a U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) resource partner. Funded by the SBA, the State of New York and Pace University, the Pace SBDC combines the resources of Pace University and the public and private sectors to enable small businesses to reach their full potential.

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Jonna Hagglund ’19 joined us for the April 2025 episode of The Lubin Link podcast to share her journey from performer to entertainment industry professional. After earning her degree in Arts and Entertainment Management at Pace University, Jonna returned to Europe to pursue a master’s in musical theatre. Eventually, she pivoted to the business side of the industry. Today, she works as a Talent Success Manager at Spotlight in London, where she supports performers across the UK.

This episode was recorded on April 18, 2025.

• Listen to Jonna on Spotify
• Listen to Jonna on Apple Podcasts

Connect with Jonna on Instagram

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.

NYC Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker, Golden Globe–nominated Actor Cooper Koch ’18, and Nurse Leader Dr. Launette Woolforde also among this year’s speakers and honorary degree recipients

Josh Silverman, chief executive officer of Etsy, will deliver the keynote address at Pace University’s 2025 Commencement and will receive an honorary doctorate, Pace University recently announced.

Joining Silverman as honorary degree recipients and Commencement speakers are New York City Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker ’96, Golden Globe-nominated actor Cooper Koch ’18, and nationally recognized nurse executive Dr. Launette Woolforde ’93.

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The university’s commencement will be held on May 19–20, 2025, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. This year marks the fourth consecutive time Pace will host a combined ceremony for graduates of its campuses in New York City and Pleasantville, N.Y., and its Elisabeth Haub School of Law in White Plains, N.Y. The celebration will include a main ceremony, highlighted by Silverman’s remarks, followed by individual school and college ceremonies where graduates will cross the stage.

At Commencement each year, Pace also honors community members who exemplify the Pace motto of Opportunitas. This year’s Opportunitas in Action Award-winner is Lorelei Atalie Vargas, chief community impact officer at Trinity Church in lower Manhattan.

Commencement Speakers and Honorees

Lorelei Atalie Vargas

Vargas has three decades of experience in the nonprofit and government sectors focused on critical areas of child and family wellbeing, including physical health, substance abuse, mental health, education, childcare, and food insecurity. At Trinity, she leads a place-based initiative that holistically supports communities across New York City. Previously, she served as deputy commissioner for child and family wellbeing with the City of New York, where she developed and led the country’s first child welfare division focused on a two-generation approach. She also served as deputy commissioner of early care and education, overseeing the nation’s largest publicly funded subsidized childcare system, serving nearly 110,000 children annually with a $1 billion budget.

Vargas earned her Bachelor of Arts from Bryn Mawr College, where she serves on the Board of Trustees, and holds two master’s degrees from the University of Michigan in public policy and education administration and policy, where she was a Woodrow Wilson Fellow. She was named a Pahara Fellow in 2017 and an Ascend Fellow in 2018 by the Aspen Institute, and in 2020, she was named to New York’s City & State Responsible 100 list for her leadership in transformational social change.

“This year’s group of honorees are pioneers and leaders across industries—from health care and public safety to technology and the arts,” said Marvin Krislov, president of Pace University. “We are proud to celebrate the Class of 2025 with such inspiring role models who represent the best of what it means to live with purpose and lead with opportunity.”

Josh Silverman

Josh Silverman will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, at the 1:00 p.m. Undergraduate Main Ceremony on Monday, May 19, and address the Class of 2025 and their guests. Silverman is Etsy’s chief executive officer, leading the company as it builds a platform that empowers creative entrepreneurs around the world. He is also a member of Etsy’s board of directors. Silverman’s two decades of leadership experience include growing consumer technology companies and scaling global marketplaces. He previously served as president of Consumer Products and Services at American Express, CEO of Skype, and CEO of Shopping.com, and he held various executive roles at eBay. Earlier in his career, Silverman co-founded Evite, Inc., where he also served as the company’s CEO. He is currently on the board of directors of Shake Shack. Silverman was previously a member of the Stanford Business School Management Board and the Lincoln Center Theater board.

Robert S. Tucker

Robert S. Tucker will receive a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, and address graduates of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20. Tucker is the 35th New York City fire commissioner. A lifelong New Yorker, Commissioner Tucker grew up in Manhattan and attended George Washington University. He went to law school at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University at night while working as the special assistant to the late Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown. The experience allowed him to work closely with an extensive network of executive-level members of the New York City Police Department and the city administration, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, and other public safety entities.

In 1999, he founded T&M USA, an international security and investigations firm. During his time at T&M, he was also devoted to philanthropic work. This included service as a trustee of the New York City Police Foundation and on the board of directors of White Plains Hospital, Pace University, and the FDNY Foundation. As a 1996 graduate of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, Commissioner Tucker has a deep connection to his alma mater and served on Pace University’s Board of Trustees from 2018 until 2024.

In 2017, through his generous support, Haub Law established the Robert S. Tucker Prize for Prosecutorial Excellence to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to criminal prosecution and exemplify excellence in prosecutorial practice. Commissioner Tucker prides himself on being a son of the city and the father of three children—two daughters and a son. He is the grandson of the late Richard Tucker, an American operatic tenor and cantor long associated with the Metropolitan Opera. Serving as the FDNY commissioner is the realization of Commissioner Tucker’s lifelong dream.

Cooper Koch

Cooper Koch ’18 will speak at the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Sands College of Performing Arts, and School of Education Undergraduate Ceremony at 9:45 a.m. on Monday, May 19. Koch is an American actor who received a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of Erik Menendez in the biographical crime drama series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. He has also appeared in the slasher film They/Them and the body horror film Swallowed. Cooper graduated from Pace School of Performing Arts with a BFA in acting in May 2018.

Dr. Launette Woolforde

Dr. Launette Woolforde, EdD ’93 will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, and will speak at the Lubin School of Business, College of Health Professions, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems Undergraduate Ceremony at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, May 19. Dr. Woolforde is the deputy chief nursing officer for Northwell Health and assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

With 88,000 employees, including 19,000 nurses, Northwell Health is the largest employer and largest health system in New York State. Dr. Woolforde developed its system-wide nurse residency program, which is accredited with distinction by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). She established the health system’s infrastructure that enabled growth from three Magnet hospitals to eleven—the most of any health system in New York.

Dr. Woolforde began her 32-year nursing career as a student at Pace University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Lienhard School of Nursing. She earned a master’s degree from Hunter College and a post-master’s certificate from the College of New Rochelle. She earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Case Western Reserve University as well as a Doctor of Education from Columbia University’s Teachers College—pursuing both degrees simultaneously and becoming the first nurse at Northwell to earn two doctoral degrees.

Dr. Woolforde has served as an executive board member at the National League for Nursing, the country’s oldest nursing organization, and on the board of the Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD). For her many contributions to the profession, she received the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society for Nursing International Founders Award, was named the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s National Certified Nurse of the Year and was inducted into Columbia University Teachers College Alumni Hall of Fame. She holds two board certifications and is a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine, the Health Management Academy, and the esteemed American Academy of Nursing.

Anjali Sud

Anjali Sud will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, and will speak at the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems Graduate Ceremony at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20. Sud is CEO of Tubi, America’s most watched free TV and movie streaming service. Under Sud’s leadership the company has exhibited exciting growth and momentum, scaling to over 97 million monthly active viewers, expanding globally and solidifying its position as a major entertainment destination.

Prior to Tubi, Sud served as CEO of Vimeo, the global online video platform. During her six-year tenure, she took the company public and established Vimeo as the home for video creators and professionals worldwide, building a community of over 300 million users. Before that, she held various positions in e-commerce and media at Amazon and Time Warner.

Sud has been featured in Fortune's 40 under 40, The Hollywood Reporter’s Most Powerful Women in Entertainment, Bloomberg’s Ones to Watch, and CNBC’s Changemakers. She is a designated Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum and a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute. She serves on the board of directors of Dolby Laboratories, SiriusXM, and as Chair of the board of Change.org. Anjali grew up in Flint, Michigan, and lives in New York City with her husband and two young sons.

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.