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Dean Emerita and Professor Michelle S. Simon has been named the recipient of Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University’s 2025 Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. The Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes that outstanding pedagogy occurs in a variety of settings at the Law School—it can be found in courses of all sizes and types, in teachers with diverse styles, and across subject matters. Each spring, the Faculty Development Committee selects as a recipient of the award a member of the tenured or tenure-track faculty or a visiting professor with a contract longer than one year in duration. The award typically is based on the faculty member’s teaching during the current academic year.

Professor Katrina Fischer Kuh, chair of the Faculty Development Committee, remarked: “Year after year, Dean Emerita and Director of Legal Skills, Professor Michelle Simon, makes important contributions to the development of our Legal Skills curriculum. In an ever-evolving world, Professor Simon demonstrates a willingness and capacity to experiment with and refine new approaches to scheduling and the use of technology to accommodate the diverse needs of our school and students. Professor Simon recognizes that evolving with and prioritizing our students is tantamount to the success of all; she is very much beloved by both her students and colleagues at Haub Law.”

“I am honored to have been selected by my peers to receive this special recognition,” said Professor Simon. “The Legal Skills curriculum at Haub Law has always been a passion of mine – not just ensuring it stays relevant, but that we are taking innovative approaches and remain one step of the curve. Our Legal Skills curriculum encompasses the fundamental skills of lawyers – research, writing, citation, analysis, and more. As technology evolves in the legal arena, we must also, and as a result it has always been a goal of mine to match our approaches and tools at Haub Law with practicality and ease, thereby preparing our students for the legal atmosphere they enter upon graduation.”

Professor Michelle Simon served as the dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University from 2008–2014, after serving as interim Dean during the 2007–2008 academic year. She has been a member of the Haub Law faculty since 1985 and also served as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for six years. Professor Simon is one of the primary architects of an innovative legal writing curriculum that integrates doctrinal law with skills training. She currently teaches Civil Procedure, Torts, Federal Courts and Conflict of Laws. Her other teaching areas include Criminal Law Legal Skills, and Education Law. Professor Simon’s substantive expertise lies in the areas of civil procedure, torts, conflict of laws, federal courts, criminal law and matters concerning secondary and higher education. She is the faculty director of the first-year legal skills program, and specializes in studying how first-year students learn. Professor Simon has written numerous articles and book chapters on these topics.

Prior to joining the Haub Law faculty, Professor Simon served a law clerk for U.S. Magistrate Judge Honorable A. Simon Chrein (EDNY) and practiced law for several years at Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker LLP, where she specialized in products liability litigation. She is an honors graduate of Syracuse University College of Law, where she served as Senior Lead Articles Editor of the Syracuse Law Review.

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Wenkai (Kevin) Huang

Class of 2025
Childhood Education/Biology, BS

Why did you choose to pursue a Childhood Education/Biology, BS major? Why did you choose to attend Pace?

I chose an education major because I enjoyed working with children in summer camps in Shanghai, China, where I am from. Biology was also one of my favorite subjects in high school, and when I realized my passion for research in my junior year at Pace, I continued with my education major and enrolled in as many biology and chemistry courses as possible.

Pace came up on my radar because one of my best friends had been admitted, and, since Pace offered an education major (my primary interest at the time), I applied and decided to enroll.

You have been accepted to Penn State’s Plant Biology PhD program. How has your experience as a student at Pace prepared you for this extraordinary achievement? Tell us about all the research opportunities you’ve had with the New York Biology department and its faculty.

One of the advantages of the Biology department is that it is a small department with a high faculty to student ratio, which allows students to have both closer relationships and more research opportunities with them.

In my sophomore year, Professor Eric Brenner, PhD, introduced me to research, and, with funding from Pace’s Provost Office, I presented my work on plant movement in his lab at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research in Long Beach, California. It was a wonderful opportunity, as I got to experience what it is like to attend a conference and make great connections with fellow undergraduate researchers.

In my junior year, I was fascinated by Professor Jeanmaire Molina’s (PhD) research on the endangered Rafflesia (a parasitic plant, as well as the world’s largest flower) and became a paid research assistant in her lab, thanks to funding from a National Science Foundation grant. She also funded me to attend the world’s largest plant biology conference, the American Society of Plant Biologists, in Hawaii, where I shared our research. Additionally, I have co-authored two papers with Professor Molina, one published in Current Plant Biology, and another in EvoS Journal: Evolutionary Studies and Higher Education. It has been amazing to have two academic publications as an undergraduate, and I believe this was a huge advantage when applying for PhD programs, as research skills and publications are heavily valued.

It has been amazing to have two academic publications as an undergraduate, and I believe this was a huge advantage when applying for PhD programs, as research skills and publications are heavily valued.

At a conference at the WPUNJ Symposium at William Paterson University, funded by the biology department, I presented posters for my research with both Professors Brenner and Molina, and each won second place in their respective categories.

Other key faculty include Professor William Eaton, PhD, who expanded my research and analytical skills, including scientific writing, data analytics, and statistical testing, and Professor Mauro Fa, PhD, who provided constructive criticism on my research papers. Further, I am grateful to Professor and Lab Director Kelly McDaniel, PhD, who keeps students safe in the labs.

What other activities have you been involved in as a student?

I’m the founder and president of the Botany Club, the idea for which was to create a community for plant lovers at Pace. Some of the events we have hosted include tea talks on the medicinal properties of teas, potting events, terrarium days, and more. This role has allowed me to practice leadership, planning, and collaboration skills.

What advice, if any, would you like to give to students?

Self-doubts are real, but if we truly have the passion, we can achieve way more than what we believe. Also, be kind to and forgive yourself if the outcome isn’t what you were wishing for. Everything that happens is arranged for the best, even if it may not feel like that in the moment.