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Faculty Fellows
Each year the Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship funds fellowships for Pace University faculty to grow our diverse portfolio of research projects with a focus on the identification and analysis of issues facing nonprofits and social enterprises. Fellows are selected by the Faculty Steering Committee in a double-blind review based on the strength of the submitted project. During their fellowship year, each faculty member works on a specific case study or academic research project that actively engages current Pace students. These fellows participate in the Wilson Center Faculty Steering Committee for a 3-year term and present their work in at least one Pace research showcase. Full application details for the program are available.
2025–2026 Faculty Fellows
Julia Eisenberg, Ph.D., Professor and Undergraduate Program Chair, Management and Management Science, Lubin School of Business
Human–AI Collaboration in the Nonprofit Sector: Leveraging AI for Effectiveness, Cost Efficiency, and Human Resource Sustainability
Professor Eisenberg’s project examines how nonprofit organizations can strategically and ethically integrate artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen operations, reduce costs, and support overstretched human resources. As nonprofits grapple with staffing shortages, limited budgets, and increasing service demands, AI tools—particularly those designed for collaboration with human workers—offer new possibilities for improving organizational efficiency. This initiative explores how human–AI partnerships can enhance the sector’s capacity while ensuring that new technologies remain aligned with mission-driven values.
The research team will conduct a multi-case qualitative study involving nonprofits of different sizes and missions. Through semi-structured interviews with executives, staff, and volunteers, as well as document analysis and field observations, the project will identify where AI tools can effectively supplement human labor, such as in donor management, volunteer scheduling, administrative workflows, and knowledge sharing. Grounded in agency theory, the study will also examine how trust, accountability, and task allocation are negotiated between humans and AI “agents,” yielding insights into how nonprofits can adopt AI responsibly while preserving the relational dimensions essential to their work.
Pace University students, both graduate and undergraduate, will play an integral role in all phases of the project under Professor Eisenberg’s mentorship. Students will assist with interview preparation, data gathering, transcription, coding, and literature review, gaining hands-on experience in qualitative research and emerging AI scholarship. This collaborative effort will generate practical guidance for nonprofits seeking to enhance effectiveness, improve cost efficiency, and address human resource constraints. Ultimately, Professor Eisenberg’s project aims to help nonprofits harness AI as a supportive partner—strengthening organizational sustainability while allowing staff and volunteers to focus on high-value, mission-critical activities.
Namchul Shin, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Information Technology, Seidenberg School of CSIS
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Sustainability Maturity Stages of Nonprofit Organizations and Charitable Giving: A Textual Analysis
Professor Shin’s project explores how nonprofit organizations communicate sustainability practices and whether these practices influence public donations. Although many nonprofits recognize the importance of demonstrating alignment with societal values, few meaningfully incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) perspectives into annual reports. This research examines how nonprofits articulate sustainability and assesses the impact of these communications on donor behavior.
Using a dataset of organizations from Forbes America’s Top 100 Charities, the project applies Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques to analyze annual reports. Organizations will be evaluated across five sustainability maturity stages—from compliance-focused approaches to advanced, coevolutionary strategies emphasizing environmental and social regeneration. This approach helps reveal the extent to which nonprofits integrate ESG strategies into their community impact reporting.
Pace University students will be engaged throughout the project. One Seidenberg master’s student and one doctoral student will assist with collecting reports, preparing the textual dataset, coding ESG maturity levels, and compiling financial data for regression analysis. Students will also help interpret results and contribute to developing a publishable research paper. This project provides students with hands-on experience in NLP-based content analysis, sustainability assessment, and quantitative modeling. The findings will offer nonprofits evidence-based guidance on using sustainability communication to strengthen donor engagement, enhance fundraising outcomes, and support transparent, mission-aligned reporting across the sector.
Youngsoo Shin, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Information Technology, Seidenberg School of CSIS
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Shared Mobility, Shared City: Bridging the Data Gap for Urban Intelligence by Social Design and Informatics
Professor Shin’s project aims to help New York City–based nonprofits close a critical data gap that limits their ability to advocate for safe, accessible streets. Organizations such as Transportation Alternatives and the National Council on Disability often lack the real-time information needed to understand sidewalk conditions and mobility barriers faced by people with disabilities, older adults, and other vulnerable groups. This project introduces a shared value model that encourages community members to contribute urban data through everyday activities—particularly shared mobility use—while receiving personal benefits in return.
Working with nonprofit partners, the research team will explore how camera-equipped bike helmets, used alongside services like Citi Bike, could capture on-the-ground perspectives of street and sidewalk conditions. Pace University graduate students from the Seidenberg School will take a central role, investigating accessibility challenges, interviewing nonprofit leaders and residents, analyzing existing urban data tools, and collaborating on prototype development.
Across two semesters, students will design and test a low-fidelity software simulation that models how helmet-mounted cameras might collect and share anonymized data ethically and securely. They will evaluate user incentives, community impact, and privacy considerations, ultimately producing a working paper assessing the system’s feasibility and potential value for nonprofits. The project will deliver a proof-of-concept for an affordable, scalable data-collection model that equips nonprofits with the evidence they need to advance safer, more equitable urban environments.
Ibraiz Tarique, Ph.D., Professor and Department Chair, Management and Management Sciences, Lubin School of Business
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Managing Exceptional Talent in Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Professor Tarique’s project explores how NGOs identify, develop, and retain exceptional talent—a critical yet understudied area in the nonprofit sector. While much of the existing research on “stars,” high performers, and high-potential employees comes from large private corporations, little is known about how mission-driven organizations with limited resources manage their most valuable contributors. This study addresses that gap by reviewing recent academic and practitioner literature to map emerging themes and promising practices in exceptional talent management within NGOs.
The project will analyze the most influential work from the past five years to define the field, examine policies used by NGOs to attract and support exceptional talent, and identify areas where further research is urgently needed. By synthesizing insights from global consulting reports, academic scholarship, and sector-specific studies, the project aims to provide nonprofits with a clearer understanding of how exceptional talent contributes to organizational performance and long-term sustainability. Pace University students will support the research under Professor Tarique’s guidance. Students will help sort, organize, and categorize findings from the reviewed literature into meaningful typologies, gaining hands-on experience with qualitative research methods and trends in global talent management.
For nonprofits, this project offers timely insight into a pressing challenge: how to effectively leverage talented staff and volunteers in environments defined by resource scarcity. The study’s results will help NGO leaders better understand how exceptional talent shapes organizational outcomes and how strategic talent management can strengthen mission delivery. Ultimately, Professor Tarique’s work seeks to advance scholarship and practice by establishing one of the first comprehensive reviews of exceptional talent management within the NGO sector.
2024–2025 Faculty Fellows
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Soheyla Amirian, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science, Seidenberg School of CSIS
Fair and Explainable AI for Autonomous Diagnosis of Joint Osteoarthritis in Aging Population
Knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) significantly impact older adults, causing pain, reducing mobility, and placing pressure on healthcare systems and families. Traditional OA diagnosis relies on symptoms and imaging using the Kellgren-Lawrence grading scale, which can be subjective and inconsistent, making disease tracking challenging.
While artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning (DL) have shown promise in automating OA diagnosis, most models are single-modal and overlook critical clinical metadata like age, sex, and race. This oversight risks reinforcing healthcare disparities, particularly for older adults with limited access to accurate diagnoses. Additionally, the lack of transparency in AI models raises concerns about fairness and trust in medical AI applications. This project aims to create a fair, explainable, multi-modal AI framework to improve OA diagnostic accuracy and equity. By addressing transparency and social impacts, this initiative seeks to establish more accessible and trustworthy AI-driven healthcare solutions for aging populations
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Kimberly Collica Cox, Ph.D., Professor,
Criminal Justice, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences
Puppies on The Block and the Benefits of the Carceral Caretaker
Dr. Kimberly Collica-Cox’s research focuses on the benefits of dog fostering programs for populations who are incarcerated. While dog training programs (DTPs) are the most common form of Animal Assisted Interventions within correctional institutions, dog fostering programs (DFPs) are less researched. Puppies on the Block, a dog fostering program at the Westchester County Department of Correction (WCDOC) in New York, in partnership with Pace University and Paws Crossed Animal Rescue, provides rescue dogs to women who are incarcerated in the substance abuse treatment block and young men (ages 18 to 24) who are incarcerated in the Young Opportunities Program (YOP). Participants in these programs serve as canine caretakers for dogs who were rescued from states where they may have otherwise been euthanized. Rescues remain in the facility until they are socialized, increasing their suitability for adoption. With the assistance of a graduate research assistant, pre and posttest interviewing will be conducted with canine handlers to determine if there are statistically significant increases in self-esteem, happiness, self-control, and empathy, in addition to decreased levels of anxiety, stress, depression, and disciplinary infractions, after only four weeks of program participation. With a rise in mental health issues among populations who are incarcerated, DFPs, a benign and cost-effective intervention, can be easily implemented in jail settings to impact psychological well-being, in addition to providing a vital service to the community, when strong relationships with community-based organizations are well established.
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Ali Motamedi, Ph.D., Lecturer,
Department of Computer Science, Seidenberg School of CSIS
Art, AI, and Community Engagement - A Nonprofit Showcase
This project explores how art and artificial intelligence can address social issues, highlighting partnerships with local nonprofits to inspire community conversations and engagement. By collaborating with local organizations, Dr. Ali Motamedi seeks to create a platform that amplifies their missions and fosters meaningful discussions around critical challenges, ultimately raising awareness and promoting social change.
The project will be delivered through various formats, including a curated exhibition, an academic paper, and a public talk. Students will play a vital role in this initiative, engaging in research, exhibition design, and public outreach to encourage collaboration across disciplines. Potential methods include creating AI-generated art and incorporating interactive displays that connect visitors with relevant social issues. Looking ahead, the goal is to build more partnerships with nonprofits and continue helping students develop their skills and understanding of social impact through ongoing involvement in innovative projects.
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Noushi Rahman, Ph.D., Professor, Management & Management Science, Lubin School of Business
How Social Enterprises Make Use of AI to Solve Social Problems in Different Social Entrepreneurial Sectors
With Ai growing rapidly and pervading in all walks of life, we want to understand the different ways in which technologically savvy social enterprises are utilizing Ai to solve social problems in different social sectors. The topic of Ai in organizations is a nascent subject matter, and how Ai is being utilized by tech-savvy social enterprises can be a useful finding for smaller social enterprises that have not yet harnessed the power of Ai in solving societal challenges. As a faculty fellow of the Wilson Center, I will conduct a qualitative study, examining case data from 60 social enterprises that use Ai at varying levels to solve specific social problems. For empirical analysis with qualitative data, I will use fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). This approach requires detailed codification of the qualitative data, particularly evaluating varying scope of Ai, human-Ai collaboration, Ai-stakeholder engagement, type of Ai technology, and Ai maturity of the social enterprises in my sample. I aim to engage several graduate students to this immersive research experience.
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Lu Shi, Ph.D., Associate Professor,
Health Sciences, College of Health Professions
Artificial intelligence and mobile health tools in health-related nonprofit organizations: A Mixed-Method Approach
Dr. Lu Shi’s project aims to empower Greater New York nonprofits by helping them leverage AI tools for effective community needs assessment. This initiative partners with two local organizations: one that supports neuro-diverse adolescents and young adults transitioning into adulthood, and another that assists immigrants on Long Island with accessing resources for their new lives in the U.S. The project team, led by Dr. Shi, will work closely with these nonprofits to conduct multilingual needs assessments for their client communities.
Pace University students, both graduate and undergraduate, will participate under Dr. Shi’s mentorship. Together, they will design, pilot-test, refine, and implement multilingual surveys, tailored to capture specific needs within these unique populations. Graduate students will lead the coordination of data collection, interpretation, and team training, while undergraduate students will support survey distribution, execution, and data preparation.This collaborative effort will yield in-depth assessment reports that identify service gaps, resource demands, and priority needs within each community. These reports will provide essential insights for the nonprofits, enabling them to enhance program planning, support funding applications, and advocate for policy improvements.For the students, this project offers hands-on experience in AI-assisted survey research, data analysis, and community engagement. The results will be documented in comprehensive reports that may be used for publication, underscoring the students’ contributions. Ultimately, Dr. Shi’s project seeks to create a sustainable, cost-efficient needs assessment model, accessible to nonprofits with limited resources, that addresses critical communication challenges faced by neuro-diverse and immigrant communities.
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Laura Tamman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Political Science, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences
Has the Decline in Local News Coverage Increased the Power of Political Advertising?
Historically, much of the information voters receive about local political candidates has come from local news coverage. Over the last three decades, however, there has been a decline in the volume of information about candidates and campaigns generated by local news outlets. Declines in local political news coverage have led to lower voter turnout rates and less informed citizens. A question that has not yet been examined, however, is whether the decline in local news coverage has produced an increase in the size of the effects political advertising. Due to term limits, generous matching funds, off-year primary elections, and a dynamic local media environment, New York city council primary elections between 2001 and 2017 offer a useful case for analysis of changes in the size of persuasive effects of political advertising over time. If the decline of local news coverage in New York is increasing the influence of political advertising, the shift is likely being replicated in cities across the country. This project will use regression analysis to determine whether the size of the persuasive effects of political advertising in New York City municipal elections between 2001 and 2017 increased as the volume of local news coverage decreased.
2023–2024 Faculty Fellows
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Jessica Magaldi, JD., Associate Chair & Professor, Legal Studies and Taxation, Lubin School of Business
An Examination of How Business School Case Studies Reflect Gender Diversity in Educating Future Business School Graduates
Dr. Magaldi’s project will assess the gender inclusiveness of case studies provided by a professional nonprofit case research organization for adoption by business school professors. With a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the study addresses the critical role of case studies in shaping the learning experiences of future business leaders. Investigating a 20-year span of case studies, Dr. Magaldi and her research assistants will examine the representation of women as protagonists and antagonists, as well as the gender of case study authors. As existing research indicates a concerning lack of female representation in both faculty and case studies, Dr. Magaldi’s research aims to highlight these disparities and propose recommendations for the nonprofit case research organization, and by extension others, to foster inclusivity in this important educational resource, contributing to the broader goal of enhancing diversity and gender equity in business education. This study holds significance in the context of evolving accreditation standards that emphasize diversity in various aspects of business schools.
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Gina Scutelnicu-Todoran, PhD., Professor, Public Administration, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences
Gender Representation and Pay Gap in the Nonprofit Sector: The Case of a New York County
Dr. Scutelnicu’s research focuses on the understudied topic of gender diversity and equity in the nonprofit sector, particularly in Westchester County, New York. Despite women's predominant representation in the nonprofit workforce, they are underrepresented in executive and board leadership roles, leading to gender inequity and pay disparities. The study aims to contribute to existing literature by examining gender diversity and compensation in the nonprofit sector, addressing questions about workforce representation and pay differences based on gender, position type, and service area. Utilizing a combination of secondary data from the Internal Revenue Service and Bureau of Labor Statistics and primary data from a 2022 survey, the research intends to shed light on social equity issues within nonprofits. The proposed timetable outlines data analysis, paper drafting, and presentation milestones, culminating in a manuscript submission for publication in August 2024.
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Susanne O'Callaghan Ph.D., Professor, Accounting, Lubin School of Business
A Comparison of Program Spending by Mental Health Not-for-Profits and other Health Related Not-for-Profits
A committed advocate for better mental health outcomes and an accounting professor, Dr. O’Callaghan teaches accounting for nonprofits that involves understanding how nonprofits spend money on their stated missions. Generally accepted accounting principles require nonprofits to disclose three breakdowns for all expenses: a) expenses for program mission; b) expenses for fundraising; and c) expenses for management and administration. Along with her students, she will be comparing nonprofits whose missions include issues around mental health and a control group not involved in the mental health arena. They will be studying the spending propensity of the two groups to determine whether either of these groups spends significantly more or less on their specific programs. Prof. O’Callaghan believes, that based on the findings of this study, society will be better informed about spending differences between mental health providers and non-mental health providers. The outcomes of this research will help inform foundations and government entities that provide financial support to nonprofit organizations and will help her students learn about the mechanisms for preparing financial statements for nonprofits and gain a better understanding of the social necessity and purpose of nonprofit organizations.