Thirty-four students from Pace University have been chosen for the 2025 United Nations Academic Impact and Millennium Campus Network Millennium Fellowship, a global leadership program focused on advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The group represents both the New York City and Pleasantville campuses and includes students from several of Pace’s colleges, including Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Lubin School of Business, School of Education, Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, and College of Health Professions.
This marks the fifth year in a row that Pace students have been selected for this program, with this year’s cohort being the largest to date. Out of more than 60,000 applicants worldwide across over 7,500 campuses in more than 130 countries, only about 4% were chosen to participate or host fellows.
The Millennium Fellows will spend the fall semester working on projects aligned with issues such as sustainability, education access, health equity, reproductive justice, environmental protection, human trafficking awareness, technical literacy improvement, sustainable dining practices, refugee aid initiatives, and mental health support.
Marvin Krislov, president of Pace University said: “At Pace University, we are proud to congratulate our Millennium Fellows, part of the largest group of Fellows Pace has ever had selected for this prestigious global program. These students exemplify the mission of the Millennium Fellowship, which empowers students to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through leadership, service, and innovation. From building environmental awareness through creative expression to addressing housing insecurity and strengthening support for marginalized communities, their projects reflect the best of what it means to be part of the Pace Community. We celebrate their commitment and look forward to seeing how their work continues to grow and inspire.”
A notable aspect this year is an international partnership led by Seidenberg Professor John Cronin involving 19 members from Pace’s Blue CoLab working with Finland’s Häme University of Applied Sciences. They aim to develop a bilateral action plan supporting SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. The goal is to establish a global right-to-know regarding water quality. A formal proposal will be presented at the United Nations during an October visit by Finnish students.
Briana Pereira Duarte from Mineola said: “The Millennium Fellowship represents an opportunity for me to connect with like-minded peers and mentors who are enthusiastic about social justice. This experience will grow my project on raising awareness and policy change around gender-based violence, specifically female genital mutilation, and reinforce my commitment to equity and justice.”
Aziz Oguntade from Bronx commented: “The Millennium Fellowship to me means opportunity—a chance to make a change and to be part of a community. My project connects with quality education and aims to give people a greater understanding of the technological devices they use every day, especially those who may not have access to resources. Free and accessible technological literacy for all is my goal.”
Sue Maxam, Assistant Provost for Wellness at Pace University stated: “This is one of the most transformative programs in higher education as it empowers students to ‘be the change they want to see in the world’ on a local level. Civic engagement and experiential learning are core values at Pace and central to the mission of the Millennium Fellowship, making this an ideal opportunity for our students.”
Pace University’s participation has increased steadily over recent years—growing from seven fellows in 2021 up to thirty-four in 2025.
Past student-led projects include efforts that addressed food insecurity on campus (resulting in permanent resources), improved access to menstrual products (leading to institutionalized solutions), as well as initiatives reducing student carbon footprints which informed new university sustainability measures.
Selected fellows will complete their projects during Fall 2025 before participating in a Global Graduation Ceremony scheduled for November 21 alongside peers worldwide.
The full list includes Abigail Colon (Health Science), Alex Eppinger (Arts & Entertainment Management), Alondra Gracia (Health Science), Alonso Manon Mateos (International Management), Angela Basha (Psychology), Aziz Oguntade (Computer Science), Briana Duarte (Criminal Justice – Campus Co-Director), Caroline Zanuto-Winter (Computer Science), Diana Aldabergenova (Psychology), Dillon Talactac (Information Technology), Elizaveta Sinitcyna (Business Management – Campus Co-Director), Graig Decembre (Information Technology), Isaac Lasso Younes (Computer Science), Kayla Nestfield (Global Studies), Kiley Cosgrove (Computer Science), Mamoun Edfouf (Undecided), Mariam Talakhadze (Finance – Campus Co-Director), Mimi Langley (Modern Languages & Cultures), Nailah Brown (Computer Science), Natasha Baker (English Language & Literature), Nkechi On Munroe (Adolescent Education/Biology), Noor Huda (Computer Science), Phoenix Ellrodt (Information Technology), Rachel Parker (Communications), Sadia Oishika (Computer Science), Samantha Sergi (Psychology), Seth Jarmol (Political Science), Silas Gonzalez(Computer Science – Campus Co-Director) Skyler Flynn(Communications) Spechal Nickey(Biology) Symphonie Ivory(Art) Varshita Korrapati(Political Science) Yesenia Erazo-Tequianes(Political Science & Peace & Justice Studies) Zachary Cherenfant(Information Technology).
Since its founding in 1906,Pace University has served diverse students across campuses in New York Cityand Westchester County offering undergraduateand graduate degree programs across multiple schools.
