April Bartlett has always known the power of visual storytelling.

In the midst of the pandemic, the Emmy Award nominee and former Today Show art director brought her talents to Pace to find a new way to tell stories and teach valuable lessons in the process. As an Assistant Professor of Scenic Design at the Sands College of Performing Arts, Bartlett is keen on creating a community of respect for every student, stagehand, actor, and set designer. And as Production Coordinator for every Pace performance, her favorite part of the job is bringing those lessons out of the classroom and onto the stage.

“The magic of the classroom comes from all of us together creating and collaborating in the same space at the same time, especially when it comes to that magical storytelling moment.”

Sachin Archer tested the limits of design in one deeply influential trip abroad.

Pace’s annual fall semester trip to CERN (European Council for Nuclear Research) with the NYC Design Factory is typically reserved for seniors and grad students, but Sachin Archer’s stellar track record had his professors pushing for him to join the project. One flight to Geneva later, and Archer was tackling intersection design in an effort to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries. Both in Geneva and on Pace’s New York home turf, one thing has changed Archer’s world: support. Support from professors who pushed him to apply for a trip he wouldn’t have even considered, and support from his fellow designers and collaborators abroad. This network of support is the core of the Pace experience.

“It was refreshing to be in a space that supported my creativity to its fullest potential. And collaborating with teams from different walks of life was a beautiful thing in itself.”

Pace acting student Skye Alyssa Friedman launched her career while still working toward her degree.

She made her Broadway dream a reality when she joined the cast of Kimberly Akimbo, which took home five Tony Awards including the coveted Best Musical. She credits the Pace performing arts community and professors with helping her get there. She’s using what she learns in the classroom each day to inform her work as an actress every night.

“New York City is where it's at,” she says. “I'm in school, I'm on Broadway, I get to be part of this wonderful theater community—I’m so grateful and the experience has been so fulfilling.”

Isaiah Jimenez is living his dream.

He’s known he wanted to work for himself since he was a kid, and he knew the Lubin School of Business would give him the tools to succeed as an entrepreneur. Hands-on experience, flexible courses, and skilled and engaged professors all led Isaiah to found two businesses while pursuing his degree in Management and Entrepreneurship. How’s that for leading by example?

Juan Shan is taking machine learning further.

Since 2013, Juan has brought students along with her on a groundbreaking journey in the medical field. As an Associate Professor of Computer Science, her work applies Artificial Intelligence to today’s diagnoses, like knee osteoarthritis and even tumor detection.

At Pace, the balance between classroom teaching and impactful research means our professors experience the best of both worlds, making them even better educators.

Justin Winley can do it all.

He’s an actor, producer, and writer—passions he pursued all while getting his degree in Film and Screen Studies. At Pace, students are empowered to go beyond the classroom and make lifelong connections. Professors who know the business and an in-depth curriculum helped Justin build a community he can call on post graduation.

A double major with a passion for language.

As part of Pace's New York Recovery Internship Program in 2022, Jonathan assisted a bilingual team working directly with many Spanish-speaking families negatively impacted by the pandemic, developing his fluency in the language while helping the community.

“It was incredibly rewarding to be able to provide for the city of New York and its people.”

Ritvi Shah is reveling in the late nights and early mornings.

This Global Marketing Management and Finance double major didn’t shy away from a challenge at Pace. She was part of the National Society of Leadership and Success, Women in Corporate America, Cosmetology Club, Selling and Sales Team, Study Abroad Club, and she even led small local businesses through the pandemic as part of Pace’s Small Business Development Center.

“Right now is the best time to learn something new—and I don't want to let the opportunity slip away.”

Michael Pabon didn’t just find a career at Pace, he found himself.

As a JD candidate in Pace’s Haub Law School, he excelled while embracing every part of himself. He was a member of the Puerto Rican Bar Association, the Hispanic National Bar Association, and the Hudson Valley Hispanic Bar Association, and wants to continue to lead the way for others as the Vice President of the Latin American Law Students Association. If there’s one lesson Michael wants to pass on, it’s to embrace who you are. A lesson he learned through the community at Pace.

“Latinx lawyers are not a majority, I hope to serve as inspiration to others who want to pursue the legal profession.”

Anabelle Capois Espinal is always reaching new heights.

She started her master’s in Strategy and International Business in the middle of the pandemic, while also interning at one of the most well-known companies in the world. Her drive and passion made it happen, but she credits the Pace community for helping her land a dream internship at Pfizer. At Pfizer, she was part of the Transformation and Project Management team that advises leadership on innovation opportunities and tackles mergers and acquisitions.

John Cronin is taking the guesswork out of clean water.

You probably have no idea what’s actually in your drinking water. How would you? Executive Director Cronin, formerly New York’s first full-time Hudson Riverkeeper, is hoping to change that. With the help of a donation of over $200K in water testing equipment from General Electric, he founded the Blue CoLab. In the CoLab, students work with equipment that tests water conditions in real-time. They’re creating apps. Reviewing data. Mapping visualizations. Basically, they’re working on the technology that will help ensure a future where no one has to wonder if their water is safe.