Alumni Love Stories

In a 1L class, outside of the library, in the halls of Dannat, in student organizations, or through mutual law school friends – these alumni hit it off during their time at Pace Haub Law and the rest is history. We asked them to briefly tell us their Haub Law love stories here. If you want to share how you found Love at Pace Haub Law please email Jessica Dubuss, Executive Director of Communications, at jdubuss2@law.pace.edu.

Gabriella Mickel '23, '24 and Daniel Guarracino '23

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Gabriella Mickel ’23, ‘24 and Daniel Guarracino ’23 had many overlapping coincidences during their 1L year at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University – they both decided to live in Dannat Hall, and they were also placed in the same section and Legal Writing class. “We very naturally spent a lot of time together right away and it progressed from there,” shared Gabriella. “We were married shortly after graduating from the Law School with many Pace Haub Law alumni and even professors in attendance; one alumni friend even helped officiate!"

Gabriella went on to not only obtain her JD from Pace Haub Law, but also her LLM. Today, Gabriella is a Teaching Professor at Wayne Law in Detroit, teaching legal writing and environmental law. Daniel is an attorney at the law office of Norman Abood where he focuses mostly on civil litigation. “We are both so grateful for our time at the Law School,” said Gabriella. “Not only did we both gain a law degree, but we were lucky enough to find each other.”

Brent Keith ‘09 and Erin Flannery Keith ‘09

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Brent Keith ’09 and Erin Flannery Keith ‘09 were environmental law friends at Haub Law, but didn’t become a couple until reconnecting through work travel two years after graduation. They live in the northwest corner of Connecticut where Erin is an Assistant Regional Counsel at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 1 and Brent directs the land policy team for the Nature Conservancy in North America. They have been married for 13 years and their second grader loves ecology, chemistry, and rules.

Michael J. Konicoff ’13 and Hon. Taylor A. Piscionere ’13

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Michael J. Konicoff ’13 and Hon. Taylor A. Piscionere ’13 met during their first year of law school as members of the same section. Several years later, Michael proposed on the Haub Law campus, just outside the library where their story first began. The couple recently celebrated their 10-year wedding anniversary. Michael is a partner at Piscionere & Nemarow, P.C., a litigation firm in Rye Brook, while Taylor serves as a judge in Rye City Court. They are the proud parents of two children, Jordan (7) and Charlie (5), who are their greatest joy.

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What attracted you to Pace?

I loved the campus locations and the roles each campus played in its neighborhoods and communities. I had heard some nice things about how collaborative the leadership team was, and that has been true!

How do you contribute to the success of Pace?

First and foremost, I think about our reputation among our many audiences: students, parents, current faculty and staff, elected officials, and alumni. The list goes on and on. Universities play an immense role in people’s lives and people tend to have strong feelings, both good and bad. I think our team really has tried to build Pace’s academic reputation since I joined. There’s much more to do, and I’m excited for our new branding project which will help each campus compete better.

What is your favorite aspect of working at Pace?

I feel like I can make an impact on important matters. In many ways, Pace is a bit smaller than the other organizations that I’ve worked for, so I always feel close to big decisions.

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

I love to play basketball and travel. At one point in my life, I was a professional basketball coach overseas, so I was able to combine my two favorite hobbies. But then reality set in. Coaching is a tough life.

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

I think it’s crucial that everyone who works here – faculty and staff – feel pride and build pride. Culture building is truly a shared responsibility, and I hope everyone comes to work excited to make Pace just that much better every day. Energy and optimism build and helps make Pace an even better place to work.

Every time you check a bank balance on your phone, track a package, or register for classes, you rely on an information system (IS). These systems turn raw data into timely answers that help organizations serve customers, manage operations, and make informed decisions.

An information system is a coordinated mix of people, processes, data, and technology that produces useful information on demand. If you’re choosing a major or changing careers, IS offers practical work with real business impact. It also opens pathways to numerous roles, from business analyst to systems manager. Keep reading to learn how information systems deliver the right information at the right time, who depends on them, and what that means for your next step.

What is an Information System?

An information system is an integrated set of components that collects, stores, processes, and outputs information to support an organization’s activities and decisions. That integrated idea matters: the value comes from how the pieces work together to transform data into insight and action.

Every effective information system brings together these building blocks:

• Hardware
  Computers, servers, mobile devices, sensors, and peripherals used to capture, store, and deliver information
• Software
  System software (OS, database engines) and application software (ERP, CRM, analytics tools) that execute tasks and present results
• Data and databases
  Structured and unstructured data organized so it can be retrieved, combined, and analyzed
• Networks
  Wired and wireless connections that move data between people, devices, and locations
• Processes
  Agreed steps and rules for how to collect, secure, analyze, and share data
• People
  Stakeholders who design, administer, and use the system: analysts, administrators, managers, developers, and end users

A helpful way to remember the essentials comes from the classic “five components” framing (hardware, software, data, procedures, and people), which you’ll still see in many IS courses.

What is the primary purpose of an information system?

At a high level, information systems connect business needs with technology. More concretely, well-designed systems do the following:

• Capture data from internal applications and external sources, organize it for use and deliver the right data to the right people
• Process data into information using calculations, sorting, filtering, and summarization
• Enable collaboration across teams via intranets, shared workspaces, and messaging platforms
• Support decisions with analytics and decision support tools that surface trends, forecasts, and recommendations

Types of Information Systems

Below are common categories you’ll encounter in organizations of all sizes. Each serves a distinct purpose, yet many integrate with one another.

Transaction Processing Systems (TPS)

• Purpose: Handle routine, high-volume transactions reliably and accurately (think sales, deposits, shipments)
• Who uses them: Frontline staff, cashiers, service reps, and the systems that interface with customers
• Example: Point of sale (POS) systems in retail, such as the Walmart checkout system, which tracks sales, inventory, and customer purchases in real time

Management Information Systems (MIS)

• Purpose: Summarize operational data into periodic reports managers use for planning and performance tracking
• Who uses them: Line and mid-level managers across operations, finance, HR, and marketing
• Example: SAP ERP used by Coca-Cola to manage logistics, inventory, and production processes while generating performance reports

Decision Support Systems (DSS)

• Purpose: Combine data, models, and interactive analysis for “what if” questions and scenario planning
• Who uses them: Analysts and managers evaluating options and forecasting outcomes
• Example: IBM's Watson Analytics, used in healthcare to analyze patient data and assist doctors in diagnosing illnesses and recommending treatments

Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP)

• Purpose: Integrate core functions (finance, procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, HR) into one shared system
• Who uses them: Finance, operations, HR, procurement, and leadership teams
• Example: Oracle NetSuite, used by companies such as Airbnb to manage financials, customer relationships, and human resources

Customer Relationship Management Systems (CRM)

• Purpose: Track and manage customer interactions across marketing, sales, and service to improve retention and revenue
• Who uses them: Sales reps, marketers, account managers, and support teams
• Example: Salesforce CRM, used by companies such as American Express, to manage customer support and improve customer engagement

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

• Purpose: Map, analyze, and visualize location-based data for planning and operations
• Who uses them: Urban planners, utilities, logistics teams, public health agencies, and retailers
• Example: Google Maps is a global information system that analyzes and displays geographically referenced information

Many organizations blend these systems. For instance, transactions flow from TPS into ERP and CRM, then feed BI dashboards that managers use for weekly decisions.

What does an information system consist of? (Putting it together)

To see how parts connect, imagine a mid-size e-commerce brand and how it integrates the following components:

• Hardware and network: Cloud servers host its website; barcode scanners update warehouse inventory; staff use laptops and mobile devices
• Software: An ERP handles orders, inventory, and finances; a CRM manages customer emails and support tickets; a shipping system prints labels and tracks deliveries
• Database layer: Data from orders, returns, and marketing campaigns lives in structured tables that analysts can query
• Processes: Standard procedures govern how data is captured, validated, secured, and archived
• People: Developers maintain integrations, analysts build reports, managers review dashboards to schedule labor and plan promotions

Best Paying Information System Degrees

You can arrive at IS careers through several academic routes. Below are common degrees, the industries they touch, and example roles with national median pay from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Salary outcomes vary by location, experience, and industry; use these as directional benchmarks.

Information System Career Outlook

The broad computer and IT category pays well compared with the economy overall: $105,990 median for the group (May 2024) versus $49,500 across all occupations.

Specific IS-aligned roles show strong demand over the next decade:

• CIS Managers: Projected to grow by 17% from 2023–2033, which is much faster than the average and reflects ongoing digital transformation and cloud adoption
• Information Security Analysts: Projected to grow by 33% over the same period, driven by cybersecurity needs across industries

The bottom line: Organizations rely on information systems to compete, comply, and innovate, which sustains opportunity for professionals who can connect technology with business outcomes.

Where to Build Information Systems Experiences

Pace offers degree pathways that align directly with the roles above:

• BS in Information Systems — Undergraduate foundation in systems design, databases, networks, and business process
• MS in Information Systems — Graduate-level depth in systems design and development, project management, and specialized tracks such as UX, data science, database management, health IS, and security
• BS in Computer Science — Core computing, algorithms, and software foundations for developer and engineering roles
• MS in Computer Science — Advanced topics in algorithms, systems, and modern software development
• MS in Data Science — Statistics, machine learning, and data engineering for analytics and AI-driven roles
• MS in Software Engineering — Architecture, SDLC, quality, and CI/CD for building reliable, scalable software
• BBA in Business Technology — Bridges business strategy and technology for product, operations, and PM roles
• Information Systems MBA — Leadership at the intersection of tech and business, preparing you to direct enterprise initiatives

With these options in mind, explore each program page for curriculum highlights, sample career outcomes, and start terms. If you’d like help narrowing the list, send us a quick message to share a bit about your goals and interests, and we’ll connect you with an advisor to discuss program fit and possible paths. They can help you compare options, think through course planning and timelines, and address common questions about admissions and available resources.

FAQ

What do information systems do?
Information systems collect data, organize it, and deliver the right information to the right people so teams can make decisions, coordinate work, and measure performance. Think of IS as the connective tissue between operations, analytics, and strategy.

What is an example of an information system?
An example of an information system is a CRM that tracks leads, opportunities, and support cases, or an ERP that integrates finance, procurement, inventory, and HR. These systems often feed analytics dashboards used by managers each week. (For location-based work, Geographic Information Systems help map assets and plan routes.)

What is the main purpose of an information system?
The purpose of an information system is to turn raw data into usable information that supports decisions, coordination, and control. The system captures data, processes it, and distributes insights via reports and dashboards so people can act with confidence.

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