Ground Beneath Our Feet launches with a series of experiential learning programs that connect students with history and current events

As part of National Arts and Humanities Month, Pace University is highlighting its commitment to experiential learning in the humanities. The university recently kicked-off The Ground Beneath Our Feet (GBOF), a program funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), which provides students with hands-on experience while connecting them to history and current events.

The GBOF initiative features a series of programs, courses, and a specialized digital mapping platform that taps into New York City’s rich history and culture and recognizes the location of Pace’s downtown campus on unceded Lenape land near the African Burial Ground–at the convergence of Chinatown, Civic Center, Financial District, and the Seaport.

Students engage with a diverse range of topics, from New York City’s 19th-century Spanish-language press to the impacts of Super Storm Sandy to an in-depth look at mutual aid networks during crises. These courses allow students to engage with local communities to address real needs in New York City, using digital mapping technology to connect historical events with modern-day challenges and possible solutions.

“Pace is proud of our strong commitment to the humanities, civic engagement, and experiential learning,” said Pace University President Marvin Krislov. “We make the humanities relevant and practical by connecting students with real-world issues.”

The GBOF efforts, led by Maria Iacullo-Bird, Ph.D., assistant provost for research and clinical professor of history; Kelley Kreitz, Ph.D., director of experiential learning and associate professor of English; and Sid Ray, Ph.D., co-chair and professor of English launched with a kickoff event in September. Moderated by Tresmaine R. Grimes, Ph.D., dean of the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education, the event featured presentations by award-winning poet Felicity Flores-Drew ’24 and Kailey Liddell ’23, a Charles S. Dyson Award-winning playwright. Additionally, faculty and community partners participated in a panel discussion highlighting the historical significance of Pace’s Lower Manhattan campus.

GBOF supports courses dedicated to advancing experiential learning in humanities in partnership with a Lower Manhattan Humanities Consortium of cultural and service organizations. Partners include: Billion Oyster Project; Bowery Residents’ Committee; New York City Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS), Municipal Archives Division; South Street Seaport Museum; and Trinity Church Archives.

“Our Chinatowns in the Americas course fosters experiential learning through mutual aid, where students collaborate with community partners in Chinatown to address real needs,” said Professor Stephanie Hsu. “Through this collaboration, students also explore critical issues such as real estate development, eminent domain, the city’s ‘mega-jail’ plans, and food insecurity.”

A second NEH grant designed to support experiential humanities courses like those in the GBOF initiative will establish a new state-of-the-art Makerspace and Humanities Lab, funded by NEH, which will allow students to engage in creative practices such as bookmaking and fabrication, with access to rare small-press publications and DIY works from New York City through the Pace Zine Library collection.

“We are a leader nationally in building what we call experiential humanities–where we empower students to learn by doing,” said Kreitz. “This is a shift away from the historical model of universities of a one-way flow of information. Ultimately, we are preparing students to create the future in which they want to participate.”

GBOF is just one of many experiential learning programs at Pace that support its liberal arts core curriculum and degree programs throughout its seven schools. Over the next few years, Pace is committed to expanding this classroom-based research and community engagement model, allowing students to immerse themselves with historic locations in Pace’s backyard.

A strong liberal arts foundation is a competitive advantage for all Pace students, as it is integrated across all schools and departments. In fact, Pace is set to launch a new Humanities, Art, and Computing minor, housed both in Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems and Dyson College of Arts and Sciences. The program will combine digital humanities with equity-centered design thinking, using advanced technology and public engagement to investigate and analyze questions in the humanities.

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.

Sensory integration refers to complex processes of the nervous system that allow the brain to understand internal bodily states and sensations from the environment. Taking in and processing information from our bodies and the world (sensations) takes up approximately 80% of brain function. These sensations include sights, sounds, touches, tastes, and smells. In addition, we have sensory systems that allow us to maintain balance and understand our movements (vestibular), feel our bodies in space (proprioception), and understand sensations from our internal organs (interoception).

Sensory integration is a vital part of the human experience, and we all have individual sensory preferences. Think about it: Do you love roller coasters or avoid them at all costs? Do you feel energized in crowded places or overwhelmed? Do you cut the tags out of your shirts, or do you not even notice them?

Many individuals face challenges in taking in and processing different sensations, which can impact their ability to participate in and succeed at daily activities. Challenges with sensory processing can present in various ways: a toddler who avoids walking on grass, a child who constantly bumps into classmates, a child who has a tantrum whenever it's time for a handwriting activity, a teenager who rushes through the hallway to avoid busy transitional periods between classes, or an adult who struggles to sit still during brief work meetings.

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As occupational therapists, we analyze a person's sensory challenges and provide theory-driven, evidence-informed treatment to help their brains better process sensory information. Sensory integration therapy supports individuals in functioning more effectively and being successful in their daily lives and occupations.

Sensory integration therapy must be fun to be effective! This is an integral principle of the approach. As educators, we would be remiss to teach the science and theory behind sensory integration without incorporating hands-on fun. In the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program, faculty strongly believe in using experiential learning to deepen student understanding of concepts, support connections between theory and practice, and emphasize the joy and creativity that should be woven into occupational therapy interventions.

The MSOT 2025 cohort took a field trip to Family of Kidz Sensory Gym in Harrison, NY, as part of their Pediatric course.

The occupational therapists did an amazing job at explaining how they would use specific equipment for different children. Using the equipment made me feel like a kid again and I realized how much I would enjoy working in pediatrics in the future!

—Alejandra Hogg, MSOT Student

The students learned about sensory integration in lecture and then participated in experiential learning to reinforce concepts and practice skills. We played, jumped, bounced, swung, climbed, balanced, sang, and even had a pretend snowball fight.

"This was such a great experience that helped us imagine how we would utilize sensory equipment in future practice. It was very fun "relearning" how to play!" Taylor Pandorf, MSOT student shared about the field trip.

Thank you to Family of Kidz for hosting us and to our students for bringing their enthusiasm and playfulness. The experience was a perfect blend of education and fun, truly embodying the spirit of occupational therapy.

This is learning. This is fun. This is occupational therapy and we love it! Happy World OT Day!

A week of over 30 events honors DJ Henry’s legacy and focuses on racial justice, activism, and community engagement across Pace’s campuses

Pace University will kick-off its annual Social Justice Week on Saturday across its three campuses – in lower Manhattan, Pleasantville, and at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law in White Plains. In its fifth year, the week features events that adhere to values of equity and inclusion while engaging the campus community in learning activities and dialogue centered on the issues of social justice.

In 2020, Pace alumni, students, staff, and faculty – in consultation with the family of D.J. Henry, a Pace student and member of the football team who was shot and killed by a police officer during Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 17, 2010 — conceptualized Social Justice Week to honor DJ’s life and acknowledge the connections between his story, racial injustice, and other examples around the country.

“Honoring DJ Henry’s legacy is at the core of our mission to champion social and racial justice," said Pace University President Marvin Krislov. “Social Justice Week offers a transformative platform for our students — an opportunity to engage deeply with DJ’s story, to confront the realities of systemic injustice, and to be inspired to lead the charge for meaningful and lasting change in our society.”

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DJ's family founded the DJ Henry Dream Fund to carry on his legacy and passion for youth sports. DJ’s story was also the subject of a CBS News and “48 Hours” segment entitled “Defending DJ.”

The week will kick-off with Pace’s Homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Northwell Stadium as the Setters take on American International College. At the game, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase baked goods from Greyston Bakery, a social enterprise not-for-profit that creates meaningful job opportunities for people facing barriers to employment, with proceeds going to the DJ Henry Dream Fund.

Held to coincide with DJ’s Oct. 29 birthday, Social Justice Week is a community-driven effort that understands that DJ’s story cannot be told accurately without acknowledging how it is connected to the history and present-day reality of racism, inequity, and injustice. The week aims to create meaningful dialogue and action that can be fostered for the entire Pace Community.

With a dynamic lineup of events, ranging from workshops on food sovereignty to discussions on the mental health impacts of systemic racism, Social Justice Week offers transformative opportunities for reflection and advocacy. A full schedule of events is available. Several events throughout the week will specifically commemorate DJ Henry, with programs taking place across all Pace’s campuses. Some highlights include:

• The Lower Manhattan campus will host Dinner for DJ: A Celebration of Life, where members of the Pace community will gather to reflect on DJ’s life and legacy, with DJ’s grandfather, Wayne Dozier, in attendance.
• In Westchester, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law will host the DJ Henry Open Mic Night, where students, faculty, and staff will share stories, poetry, and performances inspired by DJ’s memory and the ongoing fight for justice. Additionally, a screening of CBS 48 Hours "Defending DJ," which delves into the circumstances surrounding DJ Henry's death, will be followed by a panel discussion.
• Additional events during Social Justice Week include a Slavery and Resistance Walking Tour in lower Manhattan, exploring key historical sites like the African Burial Ground and City Hall; a joint book talk titled "Language is Political" by Dyson College of Arts and Sciences professors Meghana Nayak and Kuhu Joshi, that focuses on how creative writing fosters social change; an event on Fighting Period Poverty, which raises awareness about menstrual inequality; the COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter Oral History Project, reflecting on racial justice and health disparities; and a screening of How to Sue the Klan, which includes Haub Law Professor and Civil Rights Attorney Randolph McLaughlin examines the landmark 1982 civil rights case against the Ku Klux Klan.

"Social Justice Week is a unique and cherished tradition at Pace University," said Jeff Barnett, Ph.D., vice president for student affairs and dean for students. "It reflects our commitment to centering the student experience and advancing our goal of becoming an antiracist university. The week, which features 33 programs and events across our three campuses hosted by students, faculty, and staff, fosters education and advocacy for our greater Pace University community. We're so grateful to the entire Social Justice Week Committee and event planners for their leadership and outstanding work."

"Pace University remains committed to creating transformative experiences for our diverse student body, and I continue to be inspired by our students' passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion," said Stephanie Akunvabey, Ed.D., chief diversity officer at Pace University. "Each year, Social Justice Week showcases the incredible initiatives of the Pace community, and I look forward to actively engaging with and learning from this year’s events."

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.