DYSON DIGITAL DIGEST
Summer 2023
Advocating for Animals: Dyson Students Take Action
The Animal Policy Project, an initiative through the Environmental Studies and Science department, is giving students first-hand opportunities to advocate for legislation surrounding animal issues.
An Evolving Industry: Dyson Alumni Engage in Progress in Publishing
Dyson graduates working in the publishing industry are actively engaged in the field’s evolution in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Defining Experiential Learning: Kelley Kreitz, PhD, Embraces New Role in Provost’s Office
As the newly appointed director of experiential learning and the Pace Path, Associate Professor of English Kelley Kreitz, PhD, is exploring how Pace’s approach to hands-on pedagogy enhances student success and sets the University apart.
Dean Tresmaine R. Grimes, PhD, is Honored as National Jefferson Award Finalist
In recognition of her exceptional service to her community, Dean Tresmaine R. Grimes, PhD, has been named a national finalist for the Jefferson Award, an honor referred to as the “Nobel Prize of service.”
Ready for the Future: The Class of 2023 Goes Boldly Forth
Members of the Class of 2023 shared their exciting plans for the future and their most memorable moments from their time at Pace.
Dean’s Message
In today’s world, having the ability and the confidence to take action for what you believe in is more important than ever. Regardless of what major our students choose, a liberal arts education—especially a Dyson education—gives them the skills to think critically, write persuasively, and advocate passionately—tools that are invaluable in any career field.
Dean’s Message
In today’s world, having the ability and the confidence to take action for what you believe in is more important than ever. Regardless of what major our students choose, a liberal arts education—especially a Dyson education—gives them the skills to think critically, write persuasively, and advocate passionately—tools that are invaluable in any career field.
Dyson Notes
Dyson Notes
Alumni News
Steve Baron ’83, PsyD in School/Community Psychology, has written a book entitled Teaching with a Strength-Based Approach: How to Motivate Students and Build Relationships, which was published in June 2023 by Routledge.
Terryl Brown ’86, Political Science, was recently named Pace University’s vice president and general counsel.
Brent Cameron ’20, Writing and Rhetoric, who was hired as a professional writing specialist at Purdue University, recently won the 2023 Council of Writing Program Administrators (CWPA) graduate research award for his manuscript, “The Power of Story: Analyzing the Boycott of the CWPA.”
Caroline Craig ’12, Environmental Studies, was promoted to managing editor at the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC).
Lisa Della Vecchia ’97, PhD, Sociology and History, has been named interim superintendent of the Delran School District in New Jersey.
RK Fauth ’15, English, was selected as the second-place winner of the Treehouse Climate Action Poem Prize for the poem “Playing with Bees.”
Jeanette Kopitowsky ’93, BFA Acting, founder of nonprofit organization Celia Center Inc., received a Certificate of Recognition from the California State Assembly for her work with foster youth in California.
Raimundo Espinoza ’03, Environmental Studies, executive director of Conservacion ConCiencia, was recently named as one of 2022’s 100 most influential Latinos working on climate activism, communications, environmental rights, sustainable policies, and science by Sachamama.
Nathan Levy ’21, Musical Theater, is playing Clumsy/Prince Ebullient in Once Upon a Time on Broadway.
Agie Markiewicz ’06, English, has been named an assistant dean at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Gracie Phillips ’19, Musical Theater, and Jacob Roberts-Miller ’19, Musical Theater, are appearing in the Broadway national tour of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.
Maria Portilla ’99, MA Psychology, retired after founding a program to assist the Hispanic population of Greenburgh, New York, received an award from Greenburgh Town Hall in recognition and celebration of Women’s History Month in March 2023.
Lexi Rabadi ’16, Musical Theater, is making her Broadway debut in the ensemble for Sweeney Todd.
Lidia Russkova-Hasaya ’15, Art, unveiled a public art installation at CREA International Cultural Centre in Venice, Italy.
Angela (Zurlo) Silver ’07, MS Publishing, was recently promoted to associate director of production at Penguin Random House, heading the Production department for Kodansha Comics.
Faculty News
Associate Professor of English Sarah Blackwood, PhD, authored two essays in edited collections. The first, an essay on group texts and professional life titled “The Group (Text), or the Small Stuff,” was published in the collection Feminists Reclaim Mentorship. The second, a short, creative non-fiction/memoir piece about early motherhood and anxiety titled “Keeping Watch,” was published in Supervision: On Motherhood and Surveillance.
Professor of Performing Arts Lee Evans, EdD, authored “Teaching the Craft of Musical Composition” in School Band and Orchestra.
Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Michael Finewood, PhD, co-authored a paper titled “The Bronx River and Environmental Justice through the Lens of a Watershed” in Case Studies and the Environment.
Professor of Psychology Terrence Hines, PhD, authored “Projective Tests and Personality,” a chapter in the book Investigating Pop Psychology: Pseudoscience, Fringe Science, and Controversies.
Professor of English Erica Johnson, PhD, authored “A Modernist Meeting in Montparnasse: Freedom and Precarity in Jean Rhys’s Good Morning, Midnight and Cora Sandel’s Alberta and Freedom,” which was published in Feminist Modernist Studies.
Professor of Criminal Justice Cathryn Lavery, PhD, co-authored Socio-Political Risk Management: Assessing and Managing Global Insecurity, part of the multi-volume work Developments in Managing and Exploiting Risk.
Professor of English Helane Levine-Keating’s (PhD) book review of Grace Schulman’s The Marble Bed was published in American Book Review. This summer, she will have a featured artist solo fine art photography exhibition, “Patterns of Recognition,” at Longyear Gallery, in Margaretville, New York, running from July 7–August 6, 2023.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Writing and Cultural Studies Vyshali Manivannan, PhD, earned the Distinguished Scholarly Achievement Award from the School of Graduate Studies at Rutgers University.
Professor of Art Jillian McDonald, MFA, has been selected for the Wave Farm Residency Program in Acra, New York.
Associate Professor of Chemistry and Physical Sciences Elmer-Rico E. Mojica, PhD, co-authored several entries in the Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences, including Ammonium nitrate, Anthracene, Benzyl benzoate, Butyronitrile, and Chlorodibenzofurans.
Associate Professor of Biology Jeanmaire Molina, PhD, co-authored “The Seed Transcriptome of Rafflesia Reveals Horizontal Gene Transfer and Convergent Evolution: Implications for Conserving the World’s Largest Flower” in Plants, People & Planet.
Assistant Professor of Media, Communications, and Visual Arts, Mirjana Pantic, PhD, authored “Reporting in the Age of Coronavirus: Alternating Between ‘Shoe-Leather’ and ‘Slippers Journalism’” in the International Journal of Communication.
Associate Professor of Public Administration Gina Scutelnicu-Todoran, PhD, authored “The Money Behind the Curtain: Measuring the Financial Condition of Special District Governments in Illinois” in Public Administration Quarterly.
Associate Professor of Communication and Media Studies Melvin Williams, PhD, has been appointed to the Broadcast Education Association Publication Committee for a three-year term.
Student News
Annabelle Park ’26, Film and Screen Studies, performed at the Garden of Dreams talent show at Radio City.
Criminal Justice students in Pleasantville are involved in a feasibility study on the effects of yoga on incarcerated individuals aged 18 to 25.