Biology alumnus and one of Dyson's first graduates to attend medical school shares his prescription for success.

I saw every course as a step closer to my goal and I truly enjoyed the process of learning.

Harold Brandford ’72 calls himself the accidental Pace student, and one can say the outcome has been positive, and even miraculous.

Arriving in United States from Barbados as a young man, he was first tipped to Pace College, as it was known in 1968, by an admissions officer at another institution he considered attending, who had praised Pace for its experience guiding foreign students. When he sat for his entrance exam, so much in the educational system of this new country seemed novel to him: the use of #2 pencils, instead of pen. Multiple choice questions, instead of essays. A required dress code of jacket and tie.

Once accepted to Pace, Brandford immediately set his sights on going to medical school, and to further this, he had found the perfect mentor in Professor of Biology Dudley Cox.

A family member of Cox had also emigrated from Barbados, so the two men immediately shared a common bond, developing a friendship over the years. When Brandford expressed concern that Pace, known primarily at the time for being a business school, had not yet seen a graduate go on to medical school, Cox was confident that it would only be a matter of time. Brandford was guided to enroll in challenging courses, seeing each as a step closer to his goal, and enjoying the process of learning.

“I will never forget the look on [Cox’s] face when I showed him my first acceptance letter from medical school. He started giggling, looking back and forth between me and the letter,” Brandford said.

Today, he is in private practice in Seattle as an anesthesiologist with a focus on outpatient surgery.

His dream of being a doctor is rooted in his childhood, a time in which Brandford describes himself as rather sickly, suffering from asthma, eczema, and frequent injuries. When he visited the office of his local doctor, Brandford admired him as a man who could “fix” people, and he aspired to do the same one day. Initially studying surgery, he later switched to anesthesiology, finding it a perfect mix of the understanding of anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, and how these disciplines interacted.

Celebrating his 40th year in the profession, he loves his work and is inspired to keep going, hoping that through his efforts, the quality of care in outpatient surgery will continue to improve.

The journey wasn’t easy, as Brandford admits to finding the development of self-discipline initially challenging. He recalls his days at Cornell University Medical College, when he would hear the sounds of laughter and good times outside his apartment while he was studying. The habits he acquired then, however, served to benefit him.

He said, “Many people are endowed with considerable natural talent, but without self-discipline and the will to excel, they will, at best, be mediocre. Most of us are not especially gifted, but if we set a goal, and make a commitment to achieve, miracles are possible.”

Brandford, who will now be collaborating with his alma mater as part of a recent membership on the Dyson Advisory Board, also has a prescription for success for students.

“Make your priorities. Be brutally honest. If you are interested in high achievement, there will be hard work, sacrifice, commitment and self-discipline. I promise, you can surprise yourself in what you can achieve.”

Thirty-five years ago this month, Bruce Bachenheimer (BBA ’83) graduated from Pace with a degree in international management. Today, Bachenheimer is a vocal and vital member of the Pace Community, helping shape the minds of future business leaders in management and entrepreneurship. Bachenheimer recently took some time to chat with Opportunitas about what he’s working on, what he likes about Pace, and the current dynamism of New York City.

You’re both a professor at Lubin and in charge of the Entrepreneurship Lab. Tell us more about those roles.
What’s nice about teaching and running the Entrepreneurship Lab (eLab) is that I’m able to use the eLab and its many resources for my classes. It directly supports curricular instruction—things that happen in the classroom—but also provides co-curricular and extra-curricular support. For example, the eLab runs a pitch contest and business plan competition, in class we are pitching new business concepts and developing business plans.

Do you see that type of blending happening more in the future?
The whole nature of education is changing. This idea of what’s called the “sage on the stage”—one person lecturing to a room of students lined up in rows—that worked during the industrial revolution. But now, people aren’t learning well that way and students want a lot more. Society has changed. Everyone has a short attention span, whether it's texting, Twitter, or one paragraph Yelp reviews. If students aren’t learning the way I teach, I have to change the way I teach.

Is there anything you’re working on that you’re particularly excited about?
I do research, read, and speak regularly about New York City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. One thing I find particularly interesting is just how and why New York City transformed itself into an entrepreneurial city. We were big finance, traditional media, Madison Avenue ad agencies, iconic department stores. We had all of these major industries and Fortune 500 companies, but after the 2008 financial crisis we had to become a lot more entrepreneurial. How New York City did that is incredibly interesting. After the financial crisis, there’s so many things that have been done in a very strategic way. Everything from cutting some red tape to opening up Cornell Tech on Roosevelt Island. And now, New York City has surpassed Boston/Cambridge as the number two metro area for VC investment after Silicon Valley.

Do you think that entrepreneurial spirit is built into the DNA of the city?
There’s certainly some of that DNA—the immigrant story, Ellis Island, if I can make it here I can make it anywhere. Additionally, there are numerous entrepreneurial ecosystem models, delineating critical components of success. What is interesting about New York is a concept called the perception of desirability. An entrepreneur can locate almost anywhere, but right now New York City is a very desirable place to be. When I was growing up back in the 70s, nobody wanted to be here. That perception has changed so much, people from around the world want to live and work here, and sometimes you’re really not sure why. That perception of what’s cool and what’s desirable changes, and right now New York City has it.

What’s your favorite thing about working at Pace?
It was always a dream to teach. Without having a PhD and publishing regularly, the thought of being able to do so on a full-time basis at a major metropolitan University was something I didn’t think was possible. Pace made it possible and it’s been incredibly satisfying. I could be entering the classroom exhausted after a long day, wondering how I’m going to make it through a 3-hour night class, and within minutes, the energy from the students...I love it.

In regards to the eLab, the autonomy. I’m happy to work toward institutional goals, the mission and objectives of the University or my School set, but the ability to do that independently and autonomously is very empowering and motivational. Given the mission and objectives, I’ve been afforded a huge degree of freedom to figure out how to best achieve them, and the resources to do it.

You can have a dinner party for any four people, living or dead. Who would you invite?
My mother, my mother-in-law, and my daughter. My mother and mother-in-law both passed away before I was married and never knew our daughter. If it was possible for my mother and mother-in-law to meet our daughter, that would be an amazing dinner for four.

The film, a passion project of the PaceDocs Team, was entirely produced and edited during the pandemic

After much hard work, dedication and anticipation, Pace University’s documentary film team – PaceDocs – last night premiered Bee Aware, a film focusing on the environmental threats facing one of the most important pollinators for humankind.

The film aptly debuted online on Earth Day as it spotlights the vital role bees play in our food supply; their importance to the environment; and some of the challenges facing the insect and the environment. It was followed by a virtual Q&A with the filmmakers via Zoom.

“The PaceDocs team, under the guidance of Professor Maria Luskay, always does remarkable work,” said Marvin Krislov, president of Pace University. “This year, they did something extraordinary, persevering through a pandemic to create a truly inspiring, thought-provoking, and poignant documentary. ‘Bee Aware’ is a wonderful example of Pace students’ commitment to hard work, hands-on education, and environmental conservation. I couldn’t be prouder of this group of young filmmakers.”

The film was shot on location at bee farms throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Initially, the class -- made up of 20 graduate and undergraduate students from around the country -- was set to embark on a trip to Paris, France last spring to spotlight the rooftop bees that survived the historic Cathedral of Notre Dame fire. But the global pandemic halted all international travel, and the university, like most others around the world, immediately pivoted to remote learning.

Professor Luskay, whose “Producing the Documentary” course is part of the Department of Media, Communications, and Visual Arts, knew the show must go on. Luskay, assisted by Professor Lou Guarneri and the PaceDocs team scrambled and came up with “Plan Bee.”

“This year’s lessons were ones of endurance and adaptation,” said Professor Luskay. “The students really learned how to adapt, change and solve problems as the world around them changed. I couldn’t be more proud of them. They produced a great film.”

The popular class is part of Pace University’s highly regarded film program, and as part of it, students have been introduced to documentary filmmaking, teamwork, problem-solving, and organization. They’ve also been introduced to different areas of the world where they’ve experienced firsthand a number of important environmental and humanitarian issues -- and have been challenged to document them in remote locations around the globe.

In recent years, Pace filmmakers have produced documentaries about the 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.

“Every year, Dyson College’s student filmmakers travel abroad to produce a documentary that shines a light on an important issue, educating us all,” said Tresmaine R. Grimes, dean, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education. “I am so very proud of this year’s team, as they not only produced a compelling, informative film, but also rose to overcome the unique challenges posed by the pandemic. Congratulations to them and Professors Luskay and Guarneri for another stellar PaceDocs production.”

Although difficult at times, students say the experience was invaluable, and gave them a real dose of what it’s like to make a film under challenging circumstances.

“We had a special experience,” said Austin Braun, a graduate student from Stockholm, New Jersey. “We learned how to produce a film online. We learned that we can make a powerful film with all of the technology we have … It’s the future of filmmaking.”

While it may very well be a sign of things to come in the industry, getting there was no small accomplishment. In addition to finding new locations to film and experts to speak with over the summer, the class had to learn how to edit together while working remotely across the region.

“We worked our tails off,” Braun added. “Through hard work and determination, we got it done.”

For Cory Kinchla, a graduating senior from Tewksbury, Mass., the journey has been wild. A digital cinema and filmmaking major, he chose Pace specifically for its documentary program. Clearly it was upsetting to start over, and “chaotic at times” but the endgame was worth it.

“It was a real life experience,” Kinchla said. “The whole experience was about adapting, improvising and overcoming. We can say we produced a documentary through a pandemic and made it happen. We were able to pull it together. That’s the reward.”

About Pace University

Pace University has a proud history of preparing its diverse student body for a lifetime of professional success as a result of its unique program that combines rigorous academics and real-world experiences. Pace is ranked the #1 private, four-year college in the nation for upward economic mobility by Harvard University’s Opportunity Insights, evidence of the transformative education the University provides. From its beginnings as an accounting school in 1906, Pace has grown to three campuses, enrolling 13,000 students in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in more than 150 majors and programs, across a range of disciplines: arts, sciences, business, health care, technology, law, education, and more. The university also has one of the most competitive performing arts programs in the country. Pace has a signature, newly renovated campus in New York City, located in the heart of vibrant Lower Manhattan, next to Wall Street and City Hall, and two campuses in Westchester County, New York: a 200-acre picturesque Pleasantville Campus and the Elisabeth Haub School of Law in White Plains. Follow us on Twitter or on the Pace News website.

About Dyson College of Arts and Sciences

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.

Computer science major Mackenzie Dolishny ’20 had no coding experience when she first came to Pace. She worked hard to catch up, landing internships at the likes of IBM and American Express, and even a full-time job at Microsoft.

Mackenzie Dolishny ’20 is passionate about facilitating connections between people. It’s why, she said, she decided to pursue a career in the STEM field despite having no coding experience when she applied to colleges. “In the beginning of my first programming class at Pace, I did not do well on the first few assignments,” she told us. “I wallowed in self-pity for a few days and then put my head in the books. I spent countless hours reading the textbook, developing different projects, and doing challenges on HackerRank.”

She not only learned how to code, but she worked her way up to the top of her class—with a 3.99 GPA, no less. Talk about serious dedication. “My advice to incoming students would be not to confuse movement with progress,” Dolishny said. “Many times, we complete assignments and finish tests with good grades. However, I challenge every student to ask themselves: are you actually learning? Are you actually improving?”

In an effort to improve and hone her skills, Dolishny added a mathematics minor to her busy schedule, as she says, “computer science is heavily rooted in calculus and probability.” She even included an economics minor! “[It] has broadened my education beyond engineering and math and has made me a more well-rounded individual.”

“This big picture thinking completely redefined the goals I have for myself and redefined the way I perceive the world around me.”

It really comes as no surprise, then, that Dolishny’s drive attracted the attention of a Seidenberg professor who offered her a position as lead developer on the Pace University Multi-School Environmental Sensors Project. “An opportunity like [that] won’t find you in a classroom of 400 students in a big lecture hall,” she explained. “Working on this project as lead developer helped me attain interviews and internships further down the line that completely changed my career path. If I hadn’t gone to Pace, I would not have been as successful as I was.”

Since then, Dolishny’s internships have been numerous: data analyst at Seidenberg, application development at IBM, software engineering at American Express, and most recently, a full-time position in software engineering at Microsoft in Seattle come Fall 2020. But like all exceptionally successful people, Dolishny initially struggled with imposter syndrome. “In the beginning of my internship [at IBM], I was worried that I didn’t know enough to be working for such a great company and I was nervous that I wouldn’t do well,” she told us. “I realized during that internship that so many of the skills we use at work, we learn on the job. This gave me more confidence and that confidence carried into future internships.”

Dolishny is also a Grace Hopper Scholar, having been selected to participate in the Challenge Based Innovation Project, which allowed her to study abroad. “I had the opportunity to work with renowned physicists at CERN in Switzerland, which is home to the world’s largest science experiment, the Large Hadron Collider,” Dolishny explained. “This big picture thinking completely redefined the goals I have for myself and redefined the way I perceive the world around me.”

That level of knowledge and experience has opened doors for her even beyond Pace. In her sophomore year, Dolishny was asked to guest lecture a graduate class at NYU on big data and non-relational databases. “I felt so honored to be teaching such intelligent and brilliant students. It made me realize that one of my greatest passions is giving back and teaching others,” she told us.

As Dolishny climbs to even greater heights in her career, she’s also reaching for the sky in other ways, too. Did you know she parasails? “I parasail frequently with my family on summer vacation,” she said, in addition to playing basketball, softball, volleyball, dodgeball, and a variety of other sports, including skiing and snowboarding in the winter months. “I love to stay active and play sports in my free time,” Dolishny explained.