The Center for Leadership and Emotional Intelligence at Pace University’s Lubin School of Business has completed its first program aimed at helping students explore purposeful leadership. The initiative, a six-session non-credit course, combines the study of happiness with leadership education and was developed in partnership with Harvard professor Arthur Brooks.
Ipshita Ray, PhD, who leads the academic aspect of the program, adapted materials from Brooks and added her own insights to create a curriculum focused on positive emotional health. “This program provides a 360 view of leadership based on a foundation of self-discovery, interrogation, analysis, hard work, and hope for the future,” Ray said. “It provides students with the right tools to create their own framework or a plan to build the lives they envision based on a value system and a foundation of positive emotional health.”
Ray noted that demand for the program was high; while only 50 spots were available, more than 100 students signed up. She highlighted growing concerns about mental health among younger generations as an important motivation for launching the initiative.
Support came from across Pace University. Neil Braun, Lubin dean emeritus and former NBCUniversal president, co-taught the course and pledged financial backing. “Our students are learning how to lead by example,” Braun said. “With compassion, clarity, and the ability to turn challenge into opportunity.”
At the final session—attended by over 180 students—Pace alumnus Thomas Quinlan III ’85 addressed participants: “You can’t lead alone—and you can’t lead without emotional intelligence,” he told them. “What makes teams work is not just skill—it’s trust, empathy, and the way you show up.”
Ajay Khorana, Dean of Lubin School of Business at Pace University, emphasized resilience as workplaces evolve due to technology and policy changes: “Even as the workplace transforms, emotional intelligence endures as a defining strength,” Khorana said. “Your capacity to lead, adapt, and build meaningful connections will set you apart.”
President Marvin Krislov described the new offering as valuable preparation for future leaders: “This program is more than curriculum—it’s a head start,” Krislov said. “Emotional intelligence is the skill that sets great leaders apart, and what students gained here will give them an edge when it matters most.”
Plans are underway to expand access to both Pace campuses starting in April with additional preview sessions planned for Pleasantville Campus after spring programming begins January 26 in New York City. Ray hopes eventually to extend participation beyond Pace itself.
Student feedback reflected positive outcomes from participation in this inaugural cohort. Muskan Kumari ’26 commented: “This program changed how I think about leadership… It gave me real tools to manage stress, lead with empathy, and grow with purpose. I walked away more confident—not just in my career path but in who I want to be.”
