Educators, industry leaders, and students converge to explore how AI is reshaping higher education, workforce development, and the future of learning

A Google executive spoke to a packed room of business leaders, faculty, and students about the power and importance of harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) in their academic and professional lives.

In speaking at Pace University’s inaugural Actionable AI Conference in Pleasantville on Friday, Charles Elliot, head of industry at Google Cloud, advised attendees that when using AI tools, they should lean into learning, focus on the end-user, and be curious about the application of evolving technologies.

“Think ‘what if,’ ” he told attendees. “Everybody needs to be curious— be a skeptic as well— but be curious. Now is a great time to lean in. I think we’ll see education evolve to adapt to lots of new ideas being brought into the classroom, and that really promotes sophisticated learning. I’m excited about that opportunity.”

Nearly 200 people attended, many eager to learn how to use AI to improve instruction, streamline operations, and prepare for new workforce demands.

During his remarks, Elliot highlighted practical tools already in play: “When it comes to higher education, Google’s goal is to have a tutor for every learner, and a [teaching assistant] for every teacher.”

Throughout the day, attendees explored how AI is being applied across campus and industry — from data analytics and marketing curriculum design, chatbots, and student support systems. Sessions emphasized practical and responsible adoption of AI, spotlighting topics like:

• AI ethics and audits for academia and private industry
• Prompt engineering and search optimization for research
• AI-powered learning management systems that improve retention and engagement
• Workforce development and new career pathways in AI and data
• Custom-built bots for communications, advising, and classroom use
• The future of AI research, including Neurosymbolic and Embodied AI, among other tools.

“We’re seeing tremendous potential in generative AI to streamline operations and support students at scale,” said Beth Gordon, chief information officer at Pace University. “From 24/7 chatbot services to AI-assisted transcript reading and recruitment tools, we’re piloting real applications that are already improving efficiency and access. As tools evolve, affordability and strategy remain key. Our approach is hands-on and intentional—and we’re excited to keep pushing forward.”

The event was supported by sponsors including Carahsoft, D2L, and Google, whose collaboration helped bring hands-on tools and insights directly to attendees.

On the academic side, faculty are also embracing this evolution.

“What began as a small task force has become a vibrant, cross-disciplinary community,” added David Sachs, professor in the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems and faculty co-chair of the University’s AI Committee. “We’ve built training programs, redesigned courses, and launched our AI in the Workplace series—all to ensure our students and faculty aren’t just keeping up, but leading. This work is still evolving, and that’s what makes it exciting.”

The event follows a recent visit from the Google Education team, which brought Google Gemini Pop-Up events to Pace University’s campuses in New York City and Pleasantville last week. These sessions gave students hands-on-experience with AI tools designed to support learning, productivity, and academic success — including free access to Google Gemini for Education Plus.

Students responded enthusiastically to both events: “It was eye-opening,” said Emma Seijo, sophomore criminal justice major from Ossining, New York, who attended both the conference and the Gemini Pop-Up. “Seeing how AI could help me stay organized, find new ideas faster, and actually support my learning made it feel a lot less intimidating. I’m walking away feeling more confident and more curious about what else it can do.”

In addition, Pace University now offers a free, four-week AI in the Workplace course designed to help students, faculty, and staff build real-world skills using tools like ChatGPT, Claude, DALL·E 3, and Julius.ai. Participants earn a digital badge while learning to navigate AI tools, tackle real-world challenges, and future-proof their careers.

The day concluded with tabling and networking opportunities, giving participants time to connect across industries, academic disciplines, and student groups. From technical demonstrations to strategic discussions, the event reinforced Pace University’s leadership at the intersection of education, innovation, and ethical AI adoption.

“Today’s conversations make clear that artificial intelligence will play a defining role in how we teach, learn, and lead,” said Jonathan H. Hill, DPS, interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Pace University. “Through events like this and the ongoing work of our faculty and staff, we’re creating a model for what responsible and innovative AI use in higher education can look like.”

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.

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Rajni Jaiswal

Class of 2025
Master of Public Administration

Why did you enroll in the Master of Public Administration program at Pace?

Even though I once imagined attending an Ivy League school, when I received my acceptance letter from Pace, my brother, who lives in Jersey City, New Jersey, encouraged me to attend Pace because it was both close to family and well recognized. I now realize that Pace has given me opportunities I may not have had elsewhere—internships, conferences, and strong faculty support. After meeting Professor Gina Scutelnicu-Todoran, PhD, in my first class, I decided I wanted to take full advantage of the program and do my capstone under her mentorship.

How did you become interested in the pursuit of public administration as a course of study?

Originally from Calcutta, India, I completed my undergraduate and master’s degrees in political science, then a research degree called MPhil in international relations, which is a prerequisite for a PhD in India. Coming from a political science background, I’ve always been passionate about public service. Public administration allows me to serve communities directly and bring meaningful change.

Tell us about the research experiences you’ve had while in the program.

I’ve had two significant research-oriented internship opportunities as a student. The first was with the New York Public Library (TechConnect Department), where I worked on research and data analysis, examining 20 years of program data and suggesting improvements for classes. I also connected with Bengali-speaking communities in the Bronx, provided feedback, and helped organize events. At the Trust for Public Land, an opportunity through Pace’s Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship, I worked as a program assistant, doing GIS mapping of potential school playground sites, conducting site visits, and participating in community outreach activities.

Pace has given me countless opportunities, from internships to conference funding to mentorship by faculty. I truly believe it doesn’t matter whether you attend an Ivy League or another school—what matters is how much the institution supports and values its students, and Pace does that wholeheartedly.

You have also attended research conferences as a student. What has been the focus of your research and what were those conference experiences like?

My research focuses on equity, leadership, and systemic reform in public administration, with a commitment to advancing inclusive governance and civic participation. In both 2024 and 2025, I attended the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) conferences, and in 2025, I presented my paper in Washington, DC. Funded by Pace, it was my first time presenting as an international student, and I was proud to represent Pace. My research paper focused on gender and racial pay disparities among women municipal officials in New York City and Westchester County, and the study highlighted the underrepresentation of women, especially of color, in leadership positions and the persistent pay gap despite holding similar roles to men.

I also won two awards—the 2025 SWPA (Section on Women in Public Administration) Scholarship Award and the 2025 SPOD (Section on Personnel and Organization Development) Scholarship Award from the ASPA.

How else are you involved at Pace and what are your career goals?

I currently serve as president of the MPA Student Association (MPSA) and co-president of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) chapter at Pace, through which we are planning a future career panel with alumni. As far as my career goals are concerned, my first priority is pursuing a PhD in public administration, and in the long term, I want to teach and continue conducting research.

How do you feel about your journey at Pace thus far?

I feel very lucky. The university has given me countless opportunities, from internships to conference funding to mentorship by faculty, who have been very supportive and approachable. I truly believe it doesn’t matter whether you attend an Ivy League or another school—what matters is how much the institution supports and values its students, and Pace does that wholeheartedly.

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As Compliance Counsel at Wine.com, Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University alumna Brigid O’Hara ’20, shares that her experience with the Food and Farm Business Law Clinic at Pace Haub Law played a significant role in shaping the career she has today.

During her time as a law student, Brigid was selected to participate in an internship with Heineken. It was through the internship experience that Brigid was introduced to different people in the industry, including her future boss. “The connections I made through the Food and Farm Business Law Clinic were integral in landing an interview and ultimately a job at Wine.com.”

Brigid reflects more broadly on how her legal education and extracurricular experiences at Haub Law helped guide her path. “I was able to determine what type of law I wanted to practice, in a general litigation versus transactional sense, and the content area I was particularly interested in. I feel very lucky to have had a clinic experience like the one I did, because it was instrumental in understanding the type of practice I really wanted to do, which was transactional, business, hopefully beverage oriented, work.”

In addition to her internship at Heineken, Brigid also interned with Reckitt Benckiser and quickly realized how much she enjoyed the in-house legal role. “I knew I wanted to get to an in-house position as fast as possible, and luckily, I was able to skip the more traditional route of 2-3 years at a firm before jumping in-house, which I am super thankful for!”

Brigid describes her experience with the Food and Farm Business Clinic as a one-of-a-kind opportunity. “I absolutely loved working in the clinic. I loved that I had two separate clients and handled the matters for them with other students, as if working with other associates in a firm. The seminar portion of the clinic was also very interesting because we were learning about the other students’ clients and the various issues they were handling, which meant the experience covered a massive range of business, food, farming, and beverage related topics.” Brigid recalls that one of her clinic clients was a non-profit and she helped obtain tax exempt status and accomplish other incorporation related necessities. In her current role, Brigid does a lot with her company’s corporate filings and handles many tax matters, so she notes that having a foundation in working with clients about these types of matters was great.

After graduating from law school, Brigid received an LLM in Corporate Compliance from Fordham Law School. “I started my career in 2021, freshly off a massive change in the alcohol industry stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. The industry, and my company specifically, really had a boom in 2020, as sales for alcohol consumption at home drastically increased. The industry continued to change at the end of 2021 and into 2022, as the trend of buying alcohol for at home consumption shifted back down after the COVID bubble and continued to decrease to below the levels of before the pandemic. Many alcohol companies are having to handle lower than average sales, as the younger generations continue to trend towards not consuming as much alcohol as their predecessors did at their age.”

Brigid notes that this downward trend has forced marketing and sales departments at alcohol companies to be more creative in how they draw people in and keep them coming back as a returning customer. “The industry as a whole, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, are having to face tough decisions on how to handle different and lower alcohol consumption.” Despite this, Brigid shares that, “We are currently in an exciting time in the alcohol law world, as many of the people who have dominated and run the industry for decades are retiring. This is leaving a gap for younger attorneys to make a space and name for themselves. It will be very interesting to see how the shoes of the people who have made the alcohol industry what it is today will be filled.”

Today, in her role as Compliance Counsel for Wine.com, Brigid describes her role as varied and covers a wide range of topics, which is one of the main reasons she wanted to work in-house. “I work closely with essentially every department at the company: human resources, marketing, merchandising, finance, engineering/development, and operations. I handle employment matters, reviewing contracts and leases, approve marketing campaigns, conduct tax compliance, handle data security and privacy, maintain website terms and conditions, among others. The legal department is also responsible for licensing for alcohol and business purposes, conducting research for various reasons, staying up to date on all applicable new laws that may be passed, handling certain customer escalations, being the direct contact for state and federal agencies, to name a few.”

I felt that Pace Haub Law could offer me so many different options and a broad and great legal education. And, I was right. I absolutely loved law school. I had great classes, great professors, made great connections, and I was able to really nail down what type of career I wanted through the opportunities and experiences I had in school.

Brigid remains grateful for her law school experience. “I was initially drawn to Pace Haub Law because of the environmental program because I always had a passion for nature and animals and thought I could turn that into working in a career that would fight to help the environment, potentially even in a lobbying position. Additionally, I interned at a law firm in college that specialized in alcohol law, so I was also drawn to the Food and Farm Business Law Clinic, but I also did not want to choose a school based on one specialization just in case I did not love it. I felt that Pace Haub Law could offer me so many different options and a broad and great legal education. And, I was right. I absolutely loved law school. I had great classes, great professors, made great connections, and I was able to really nail down what type of career I wanted through the opportunities and experiences I had in school.”

As far as advice for students or graduates who want to get involved in the alcoholic beverage industry, Brigid shares that it is a very small industry where everyone knows each other. “The more people you can meet, the more you can make appearances at conferences, possibly publish papers or articles, the better off you will be to continue a career in this field. Your ability to stay in this industry will greatly increase the more you get to know the big players. It’s a super fun, super relaxed, but very intelligent group of people; things are always interesting in the alcohol regulatory world!” Brigid even met her fiancé through working in the alcohol beverage industry – he works for a national liquor licensing law firm.

A self-described massive reader, Brigid spends a lot of her spare time reading for fun. She also loves anything that is outside and in nature – hiking, kayaking, camping, just taking walks, viewing sights, being by bodies of water, etc. In the winter, when outdoor activities are more limited, Brigid puts her art degree to work and spends as much time as she can painting and drawing.

October is the perfect time to reconnect with your student and experience all that Pace has to offer. Setter Family Season is your opportunity to celebrate Pace Pride while making lasting memories together. From campus traditions and athletic matchups to discounted Broadway shows, local attractions, and seasonal favorites in Westchester and New York City, there’s something for every family. Plan your visit, join your student on campus, and discover what makes the Pace Community so special.

New York City Campus Events Pleasantville Campus Events See Nearby Hotels

For more information, contact Pace’s Center for Student Engagement.

New York City Campus

Weekend of October 3 through October 5

Friday, October 3

• Van Gogh’s Flowers: Immerse yourself in a breathtaking floral tribute at the New York Botanical Garden.
  Reserve your spot today.
• Ghost Tours: Stroll through haunted New York and uncover spine-tingling secrets.
  Book your ghost tour.

Weekend of October 10 through October 12

Saturday, October 11

• Broadway: Beetlejuice: The smash-hit musical that’s quirky, spooky, and unforgettable.
  Get your Broadway tickets now.
• One World Observatory: Experience breathtaking, sky-high views of the city.
  Reserve your time at the Observatory today.

Sunday, October 12

• One World Observatory: Don’t miss this chance to see New York City from above.
  Book your visit at the Observatory.

Weekend of October 17 through October 19

Saturday, October 18

• Broadway: Wicked: The untold story of the witches of Oz—an absolute must-see.
  Snag your Wicked tickets.
• One World Observatory: See the skyline sparkle at night.
  Reserve your spot at the Observatory.

Sunday, October 19

• One World Observatory: A view so good, you might want to go twice.
  Book your Observatory trip today.

Weekend of October 24 through October 26

Saturday, October 25

• Broadway: Buena Vista Social Club: Tells the story of the legendary Cuban musicians, weaving together their lives in 1950s Havana and their eventual reunion to record the Grammy-winning 1997 album.
  Get your Broadway tickets.
• One World Observatory: Elevate your weekend with jaw-dropping views.
  Reserve your time at the Observatory.

Sunday, October 26

• One World Observatory: End your October adventures with a view from the top.
  Book your Observatory visit.

Pleasantville Campus

Weekend of October 3 through October 5

Friday, October 3

• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: Stroll carriage roads framed by peak foliage.
  Plan your hike at the Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
• Sleepy Hollow, NY: Seasonal happenings on October 3 and October 4.
  See all events at Sleepy Hollow.
• Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm: Pick apples, sip cider, savor fall.
  Visit the Wilkens Fruit & Fir farm.
• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Fresh donuts, hard cider, live-music vibes.
  Plan your visit to the Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard.
• Jacob Burns Film Center: Indie gems and special screenings.
  Browse the calendar of the Jacob Burns Film Center.

Saturday, October 4

• Pleasantville Farmers Market: The region’s flagship market—rain or shine.
  Get info about the Pleasantville Farmers Market.
• Women’s Field Hockey vs. Roberts Wesleyan University (Free Entry): Home turf energy.
  View the field hockey game details.
• Blue Out! Women’s Soccer vs. Saint Michael’s College (Free Entry): Wear blue, bring noise.
  View the women's soccer game details.
• Blue Out! Men’s Soccer vs. Franklin Pierce University (Free Entry): Pack the stands.
  View the men's soccer game details.
• Thompson’s Cider Mill: Small-batch cider and seasonal treats.
  Hours and info for the Thompson’s Cider Mill.
• Stuart’s Fruit Farm: Classic apple picking and hayrides.
  Plan your trip to Stuart’s Fruit Farm.
• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: Stroll carriage roads framed by peak foliage.
  Plan your hike to the Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
• Sleepy Hollow, NY: Continue the festivities.
  See all events at Sleepy Hollow.
• Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm: Make it a full fall day.
  Visit the Wilkens Fruit & Fir farm.
• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Grab a dozen cider donuts.
  View the visitor guide for the Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard.
• Jacob Burns Film Center: Catch a matinee.
  Browse the calendar for the Jacob Burns Film Center.

Sunday, October 5

• Make-A-Wish: Walk for Wishes Hudson Valley: Step out for a great cause.
  Event info for Make-A-Wish: Walk for Wishes Hudson Valley.
• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: End the weekend in the woods.
  Plan your hike to the Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
• Sleepy Hollow, NY: Last day for this weekend’s activities.
  See events for Sleepy Hollow.
• Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm: One more basket of apples.
  Visit the Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm.
• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Orchard views for days.
  Plan your visit to Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard.
• Stuart’s Fruit Farm: Donuts, pumpkins, photos—done.
  Plan your trip to Stuart’s Fruit Farm.
• Jacob Burns Film Center: Close the weekend with a film.
  Browse the calendar for the Jacob Burns Film Center.

Weekend of October 10 through October 12

Friday, October 10

• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: Crisp air, quiet paths.
  Plan your hike to the Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
• Sleepy Hollow, NY: Events on October 10 and October 11.
  See events for Sleepy Hollow.
• Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm: Peak-season picking.
  Visit the Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm.
• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Orchard eats and live lawn time.
  View the visitor guide for the Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard.
• Jacob Burns Film Center: New releases and retrospectives.
  Browse the calendar for the Jacob Burns Film Center.

Saturday, October 11

• Pleasantville Farmers Market: Stock up for the week.
  Get Pleasantville Farmers Market info.
• Field Hockey vs. University of New Haven (Free Entry): Rally for the Setters.
  See field hockey game details.
• Broadway: Beetlejuice: Spooky, snappy, spectacular.
  Get Broadway tickets.
• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: Foliage loop, anyone?
  View the trail map for the Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
• Sleepy Hollow, NY: Keep the thrills going.
  See the event lineup for Sleepy Hollow.
• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Donuts before noon is self-care.
  Plan your visit to the Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard.

Weekend of October 17 through October 19

Friday, October 17

• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: Sunset stroll perfection.
  Plan your hike to the Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
• Sleepy Hollow, NY: Seasonal happenings continue.
  See events for Sleepy Hollow.
• Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm: Autumn at its sweetest.
  Visit the Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm.
• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Orchard weekends hit different.
  Plan your visit to the Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard.
• Homecoming Weekend begins: Men’s Soccer vs. Assumption University (Free Entry): Kick off in blue and gold.
  See what’s happening for Homecoming.

Saturday, October 18

• Pleasantville Farmers Market: Peak-season produce.
  Get Pleasantville Farmers Market info.
• Broadway: Wicked: A modern classic for a reason.
  Get Broadway tickets.
• Homecoming Volleyball vs. Saint Michael’s College (Free Entry): All-out energy.
  See volleyball game details.
• Homecoming Football vs. Southern Connecticut State University: Saturday lights, campus pride.
  Buy Homecoming football tickets.
• Homecoming Women’s Soccer vs. Southern New Hampshire University (Free Entry): Loud and proud.
  See Homecoming women's soccer game details.
• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: Midday leaf-peeping.
  Plan your hike at the Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
• Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm: Donuts to go? Yes.
  Visit the Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm.
• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Live music + lawn chairs.
  View the visitor guide for Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard.

Sunday, October 19

• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: One more hike before Monday.
  Plan your hike at the Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Treat yourself.
  Plan your visit to the Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard.
• Stuart’s Fruit Farm: Classic Hudson Valley day.
  Plan your trip to Stuart’s Fruit Farm.

Weekend of October 24 through October 26

Friday, October 24

• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: Quiet trails, big colors.
  See visitor info for the Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
• Sleepy Hollow, NY: Final-weekend thrills.
  See events for Sleepy Hollow.
• Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm: Apples, pumpkins, and porch décor.
  Visit the Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm.
• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Friday night feels.
  View the visitor guide for the Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard.
• Jacob Burns Film Center: Wrap the week with a film.
  Browse the calendar for the Jacob Burns Film Center.

Saturday, October 25

• Pleasantville Farmers Market: Local, fresh, delicious.
  Get Pleasantville Farmers Market info.
• Broadway: Buena Vista Social Club: Tells the story of the legendary Cuban musicians, weaving together their lives in 1950s Havana and their eventual reunion to record the Grammy-winning 1997 album.
  Get your Broadway tickets.
• Field Hockey vs. Saint Michael’s College (Free Entry): Home-field hype.
  See field hockey game details.
• Women’s Soccer vs. American International College (Free Entry): Pack the stands.
  See women's soccer game details.
• Sleepy Hollow, NY: Last-call festivities.
  See events for Sleepy Hollow.
• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Orchard-to-table treats.
  View the visitor guide for Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard.
• Jacob Burns Film Center: Festival vibe without the lines.
  See showtimes for the Jacob Burns Film Center.

Sunday, October 26

• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: One last leafy loop.
  See visitor info for the Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
• Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm: Cap the month with cider.
  Visit the Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm.
• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Goodbyes are sweeter with donuts.
  Plan your visit to the Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard.
• Stuart’s Fruit Farm: Finish strong with pumpkins and a hayride.
  Plan your trip to Stuart’s Fruit Farm.

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When Anna Shostya, PhD, talks about economics, she rarely starts with numbers. Instead, she begins with people, experiences, and the ways economic decisions shape lives. “Economics is often taught as abstract theory,” she explains. “But it doesn’t have to be. My goal is to humanize it and make it more relevant.”

That philosophy informs both her scholarship and her teaching. Shostya recently co-edited Pathways to Sustainable Development: Implementing the Pact for the Future, a forthcoming volume from Edward Elgar. The project, undertaken with longtime UN official Narinder Kakar, assembles an international team of contributors ranging from established experts to rising PhD students. “It was an honor to learn alongside Professor Kakar and gain deeper insight into how the UN works,” she says.

Bringing her research questions to the classroom is central to her approach. In her macroeconomics courses, Shostya pushes students to think beyond GDP. “Economic growth alone doesn’t guarantee well-being,” she notes. “We need to ask: does it help reduce inequality, preserve the environment, or create decent jobs?” To help students connect theory to lived realities, she incorporates case studies and personal experiences from teaching in China, Poland, and Moldova. Group projects ask students to research economic development issues in regions tied to their own backgrounds, weaving together data, stories, and creativity.

The results can be eye-opening. “Many students arrive unfamiliar with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals,” she explains. “But when they learn about pollution in China or hear stories about the war in Ukraine, the issues become real.” For Shostya, those moments of recognition—the spark in a student’s eyes, a lively discussion, or even a burst of laughter—are what drive her teaching. “That connection inspires lifelong learning,” she says. “It’s what I’m most passionate about.”

Economics is often taught as abstract theory—but it doesn’t have to be. My goal is to humanize it and make it more relevant.

Her research is equally motivated by relevance and freedom to explore those themes that she is passionate about. “I appreciate the ability to pursue questions that resonate with my own experiences and reflect the issues that are faced by the international community,” she says. “Whether I explore sustainable consumption and production, national educational outcomes, or the impact of war on labor markets, I value the chance to contribute to conversations that matter.”

Now serving as chair of the Economics department, Shostya is mindful of the challenges ahead. Students enter with uneven preparation, shaped by the disruptions of COVID and growing dependence on technology. Her vision is to maintain rigor while adapting to change. “We want to embrace AI and other tools thoughtfully, so they enhance learning without replacing the human connection,” she explains. Across the department, she adds, faculty share two common traits: a passion for applied economics and a commitment to student success. They are all proud that their students graduate with skills and knowledge that help them find rewarding and exciting jobs.

It is that shared energy that Shostya hopes to sustain. “Economics is a tool,” she reminds her students. “If you learn to use it well, it can take you anywhere.” For her, the real work of teaching lies in making that tool relevant—and ensuring students see how it can help shape not only their futures, but the future of the world they inherit.

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University is proud to announce two winners of the 2025 Goettel Prize for Faculty Scholarship. University Distinguished Professor of Law Bridget J. Crawford received the award for her article Taxing Sugar Babies, in the Minnesota Law Review (109 Minn. L. Rev. 737 (2024)) and Associate Professor of Law Josh Galperin received the award for his article Interpreting Congress, in the Wisconsin Law Review (2025 Wis. L. Rev. 89 (2025)).

The Goettel Prize was created in 2004 to encourage and recognize outstanding scholarship by members of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University faculty. Each year, members of the tenured and tenure-track faculty are invited to submit their work for consideration (on an anonymous basis) by a selection committee of outside reviewers. This year's committee consisted of three distinguished professors: Professor Miriam Cherry, St. John’s University School of Law; Professor Christopher Hampson, University of Florida Levin College of Law; and Professor Sharona Hoffman, Case Western Reserve University School of Law. This year’s selection committee review resulted in a tie, and thus there were two winners of the 2025 Goettel Prize for Faculty Scholarship.

“Professor Bridget Crawford has delivered a fascinating article in Taxing Sugar Babies,” said 2025 Goettel Award selection committee member Professor Chrisopher Hampson. “Her analysis is relevant for anyone who ponders the nature of work, value, contracts, morality, sex, stigma, and more. Crawford builds her conclusions upon the results of a meticulous, IRB-approved study of Reddit subpages. Besides being an adept way of studying sugaring, Crawford’s method will prove generative for legal scholars in other areas.”

Professor Crawford’s article, Taxing Sugar Babies, analyzes online discussions among sugar daddies/mamas and sugar babies to explore how taxation intersects with the stigmatization of sex work. The dominant narrative frames sugar baby payments as “gifts,” while tax professionals counter that they are taxable income. Crawford argues that although taxation is legally appropriate, enforcement is unlikely, leaving sugaring in a gray area between intimacy and sex work. This “gift” rhetoric sustains stigma, deprives sugar babies of labor protections and benefits, and diminishes recognition of their risks and contributions. “I’m honored to receive this recognition,” said Professor Crawford. “Through my article, I hope to draw attention to the complex realities of sugaring, the tax implications that are often overlooked, and the broader conversations about stigma, fairness, and recognition in sex work.”

Of Professor Galperin’s article, 2025 Goettel Award selection committee member Professor Sharona Hoffman noted that, “Interpreting Congress is an ambitious, illuminating, and thought-provoking paper. It makes a very valuable contribution to the statutory interpretation literature.”

In the article, Professor Galperin introduces the concept of congressional interpretation, a judicial strategy in which courts infer congressional intent from assumptions about legislative behavior rather than from statutes or legislative history. This practice, evident in cases like Loper Bright v. Raimondo and Biden v. Nebraska, blends textualism with unacknowledged assumptions about Congress, subtly but significantly reshaping separation-of-powers principles. Galperin argues that failing to recognize this interpretive method undermines judicial legitimacy, while the method’s deregulatory outcomes suggest policy-driven motives. Using noise law as a case study, the article calls for more transparency and consistency in how courts use congressional interpretation. “I am flattered the readers thought this was a valuable article,” remarked Professor Galperin. “Congressional interpretation is becoming a very common practice, but one that is getting little attention even though it profoundly affects separation of powers, agency authority, and the legitimacy of courts. I hope my article will spur more discussion.”

Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Professor of Law Emily Gold Waldman commented: “I’m so pleased that we had the opportunity to recognize both of these articles this year. They highlight the depth and breadth of our faculty’s scholarly impact. Professor Crawford sheds light on how narratives around taxation both reflect and reinforce social stigmas, while Professor Galperin illuminates how the Supreme Court’s interpretive practices have the potential to reshape fundamental separation-of-powers principles. Together, their work demonstrates how legal scholarship can uncover hidden dynamics in law and spark important conversations about legitimacy and the role of law in society.”

Professor Bridget J. Crawford joined the faculty of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in 2003. She teaches courses in Federal Income Taxation; Estate and Gift Taxation; and Wills, Trusts and Estates. Prior to joining the faculty, Professor Crawford practiced at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP (now Milbank LLP). From 2008 to 2012, and again in 2014 to 2015, she served as Pace Haub Law’s Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development. In 2021, Professor Crawford received the title of University Distinguished Professor—the highest honor the University bestows on a member of the faculty. Professor Crawford’s scholarship focuses on taxation—especially wealth transfer taxation—property law, feminist legal theory, and the intersection of gender and tax policy. Her work has appeared in leading journals and she has written and edited several books. Professor Crawford currently serves as the President of the American Tax Policy Institute and she is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel (ACTC), and a member of the American Law Institute.

Professor Joshua Galperin is the Faculty Director of the Sustainable Business Law Hub. He joined the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University faculty in July 2021. Before that, Professor Galperin was on the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Prior to his time at the University of Pittsburgh, Professor Galperin was the Director of the Environmental Protection Clinic, Lecturer in Law, and a Research Scholar at Yale Law School. He also serves as a Visiting Professor of Law at Yale Law School. His research and teaching interests include environmental law, administrative law, food and agriculture law and policy, property, constitutional law, and tort law. He has published extensively on environmental law and has also written about food and agriculture law and policy, particularly in terms of intersections with environmental policy and administrative law doctrine.