DYSON DIGITAL DIGEST
fall 2023
The Amelia A. Gould Assistantship: Providing Faculty and Students with a Canvas for Creative Expression
This past summer, Clinical Assistant Professor of Art Derek Stroup, MFA, and Katie Romanyshyn ‘25, Film and Screen Studies, engaged in a faculty-student collaboration through the Amelia A. Gould Assistantship that expanded both of their creative boundaries and artistic possibilities in the most unexpected of ways.
Grad Students Represent Pace, Bring Home Awards at New York State Communication Association Conference
Students in the Communications and Digital Media graduate program were selected to present their timely, culturally relevant research projects at the prestigious New York State Communication Association Conference this fall. Two groups received awards for the conferences’ best graduate papers.
The Physician-Author: A Q+A with Paulette Smart-Mackey ’88
Jamaican-born alumna and physician builds on her foundation as a Dyson student by sharing her medical knowledge and instilling confidence as a children’s book author.
On the Radar: Analee Miranda, PhD, Engages Students in Hands-On Math Research
Clinical Assistant Professor of Mathematics Analee Miranda, PhD, invited students to explore applied mathematics in a unique hands-on way—building a radar model as a summer research project.
Three Dyson Students Deliver Statements to the UN General Assembly First Committee
On Wednesday, October 11, Political Science and Peace and Justice Studies students Ellis Clay ‘25, Antje Hipkins ’24, and Jasmine Cintrón Soto ’25 delivered statements to the United Nations General Assembly First Committee, a forum focused on global disarmament and international security.
5 Reasons You Should Study Ecology and Society in Costa Rica through Pace University’s 3+2 Program
Through a new combined degree program, launched in Fall 2023, students can now earn a Bachelor of Science in biology from Pace in three years before completing a Master of Science in Ecology and Society at Costa Rica’s University for Peace (UPeace), just outside Ciudad Colón, in under two years.
Dean’s Message
Every Dyson student is unique, and therefore, every Dyson student’s experience is unique. One of our greatest strengths as a college is our ability to offer so many memorable opportunities to enrich our students’ one-of-a-kind journeys. From mathematics and art to advocating and presenting at important public venues, we are delighted to share a few of the dynamic, only-at-Pace experiences our students are involved in.
Dean’s Message
Every Dyson student is unique, and therefore, every Dyson student’s experience is unique. One of our greatest strengths as a college is our ability to offer so many memorable opportunities to enrich our students’ one-of-a-kind journeys. From mathematics and art to advocating and presenting at important public venues, we are delighted to share a few of the dynamic, only-at-Pace experiences our students are involved in.
Dyson Notes
Dyson Notes
Alumni News
Victor Diaz ’23, MPA, was selected for the New York State Senate Graduate Fellowship and is working in the New York State Senate Finance Committee this fall.
Morgan Gardner ’19, Chemistry, who is now working towards her MD, was featured on the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine website, discussing her journey in health science and her desire to give back to her community.
Jake Hayes ’13, Communication and Media Studies, was featured in a profile for his active role in the Buffalo, New York, theater scene. He is currently appearing in The Color Purple at Shea’s 710 Theater.
Glen Laman ’73, Biology, co-authored a book of 15 short stories titled The Hero of Fern Gully and Other Jamaican Short Stories.
Yomara Lopez ’12, Communications, is a bilingual and investigative reporter for NBC and Telemundo in California and has received three regional Emmys.
Chloe Mayhew ’22, Global Professional Studies, graduated from AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) and received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award and Congressional Service Award upon her graduation.
Nicholas Kennedy ’20, Film and Screen Studies, co-wrote and is co-directing the play Egg Frame, which opened at the John Cullum Theater in September.
Camden Robertson ’23, Peace and Justice Studies, has been recognized for the 2023 Best Undergraduate Thesis of the Year by the Peace and Justice Studies Association.
John Voperian ’83, MPA, has been named president of the Salvation Army White Plains Corps advisory board.
Christina (Birchini) Wyman ’02, Communications, has released her debut novel, Jawbreaker.
Faculty News
Professor of Criminal Justice and Security Kimberly Collica-Cox, PhD, authored “Doing Time for a Parent’s Crime: When the Children of Incarcerated Parents Become the Collateral Consequences in Arrest and Sentencing,” for Corrections Today and “The Power of Zoom Part 2: The Continuity of Jail-Based Educational Services for the Newly Released” for American Jails.
Professor of Mathematics Shamita Dutta Gupta, PhD, was awarded a Neff Outreach Grant from the Mathematical Association of America to encourage middle and high school students to pursue STEM majors and careers.
Professor of Art Barbara Friedman, MFA, is showing four new paintings at BravinLee Programs in Chelsea.
Associate Professor of Media, Communications, and Visual Arts Melanie La Rosa’s (MFA) film, The Poetry Deal, a Film with Diane di Prima (streaming on PBS till 2025), was included as part of a tribute to di Prima this August at the historic Castro Theater in San Francisco presented by her family, “Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Diane di Prima.”
Associate Professor of Biology Jeanmaire Molina, PhD, authored an entry on the rare parasitic plant Rafflesia for Plants, People & Planet.
Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Anne Toomey, PhD, was featured on the Emerging Environments podcast in an episode titled “From Persuasion to Connection: Better Communication of Environmental Science with Anne Toomey.”
Associate Professor of Writing and Cultural Studies Ama Wattley, PhD, co-edited a collection (with Sharon A. Lewis), entitled Bodies of Water in African American Literature, Music, and Film. She also penned an article in the collection entitled “River Symbolism in Three Sterling Brown Poems.”
Clinical Assistant Professor of Economics Todd Yarbrough, PhD, co-authored “The Fiscal Consequences of Natural Disasters: Evidence from the US States” in the Public Finance Review.
Student News
A record 30 Pace students, including 22 from Dyson, were selected for the prestigious and highly competitive 2023 United Nations Academic Impact and Millennium Campus Network (MCN) Fellowship Program. They are: Aidann Gia Bacolodan ’25, Political Science; Harrison Bakst ’24, Psychology; Pamella-Rayelle Barais ’25, Political Science; Isabella Yasmeen Birjandi, ‘26 Behavioral Neuroscience; Jackson Blackburn ’24, Communications; Austin Chappelle ’26, Environmental Science; Layne Davis ’25, Peace and Justice Studies and Political Science; Anastasia Khanukov ’24, Economics; Ryan Kwon ’26, Film and Screen Studies; Ellisa Lecointe ’25, Biology; Lily Lockwood ’23, Peace and Justice Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies; Lilah McCormack ’25, Digital Journalism; Louisa (Lulu) Moquete ’24, Mathematics; Kelly Ng ’26, Biology; Margaret Pereira, Peace and Justice Studies; Alexis Pickering ’26, Political Science; Gianna Rotunno ‘26, Undecided/Exploring (Dyson); Saloni Shah ‘24, Economics; Laila Shakir, Psychology; Marianna Visbal ’26, Political Science; and Emily Whitehill ’24, Communication and Media Studies.
The Animal Advocacy Clinic’s role in the passage of the wildlife killing ban was mentioned in an article in the Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin.
Jack Nierenberg ’25, Art, who is the vice president for communications for transportation advocacy group Passengers United, was featured on NY1 after speaking about fare hikes at an MTA hearing.