Pace University announced on March 25 a renewed focus on its core strengths, emphasizing adaptability and experiential learning as it prepares for future challenges in higher education.
The university’s approach comes at a time when economic pressures and demographic shifts are causing many institutions to reassess their strategies. Pace says it is drawing from its 120-year history of innovation and flexibility to continue training students for the workforce while redefining education for the modern era.
Experiential learning stands at the center of Pace’s educational philosophy. Kelley Kreitz, director of Experiential Learning and associate professor of English at Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, said, “At Pace, we empower students to learn by doing.” The university recently completed a comprehensive review of its academic portfolio, identifying four key areas: liberal arts and creative disciplines; health professions; civic leadership, law, and public service; and technology-driven business fields such as data science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), finance, and accounting.
Jennifer Holmes, dean of the Sands College of Performing Arts, highlighted the integration between liberal arts and artistic expression. “Great artists draw constantly on history, philosophy, literature, politics, economics, science and the study of human behavior,” Holmes said. She added that performing arts are “not separate from the academic mission of the University—they are one of its most powerful expressions.”
In health-related programs like nursing or mental health counseling—areas where demand is rising—Dean Brian Goldstein said that new initiatives aim to “align with workforce demands” through expanded interprofessional education partnerships. The Elisabeth Haub School of Law continues to be recognized nationally for environmental law while fostering hands-on policy advocacy opportunities for students.
Technological innovation also plays a major role in Pace’s strategy. Li-Chiou Chen described Seidenberg School’s approach: “We train computer scientists who are critical thinkers… Our students are the technologists who connect to the human side of society.” Dean Ajay Khorana noted that linking technology with business education will help develop leaders who can thrive amid disruption.
President Marvin Krislov summarized this adaptive tradition in his State of the University address: “Over the decades we’ve grown across disciplines… But our purpose [has remained] constant: to prepare students… with knowledge [and] real-world experience.”
As higher education evolves rapidly nationwide—and with Pace’s historical record showing resilience—the university aims to remain an ‘opportunist’ institution by making strategic decisions based on changing circumstances.
