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I am writing to share an important decision and, just as importantly, to offer clarity about what it means for Pace in the years ahead.
I have decided that I will not be seeking a third five-year term as president of Pace University. I want to be clear from the outset: this is not a farewell, and it does not change my deep commitment to the work we have before us. I remain fully engaged in leading the University through the remainder of my term, which concludes in June 2027.
The reason I am sharing this decision now is guided by both timing and responsibility. As outlined in the faculty handbook, the evaluation process for a potential third term would need to begin in earnest at this point.
By making this decision now, rather than entering the evaluation process for a third term, I believe I am acting in the best interests of the University—allowing our important transformation work to continue moving forward with minimal distraction and providing the clarity and time needed to plan thoughtfully for Pace’s future.
Ten years is a long time to serve as president in today’s higher education environment, and I am deeply proud of what we have accomplished together during a period marked by extraordinary change. My presidency has coincided with two defining challenges for our community: navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and leading through a rapidly evolving higher education landscape that continues to demand innovation, adaptability, and care for our students.
Together, we have made meaningful progress. We have invested in our physical campus through major projects such as One Pace Plaza East and 15 Beekman. We have also made strategic investments in technology and digital infrastructure, including a growing focus on emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, to support innovative teaching and learning and to better prepare our students for a rapidly evolving workforce. We have seen growth in giving and research. We opened the Sands College of Performing Arts, expanding academic opportunity and creative expression. And we have continued to advance student success and outcomes—even as challenges such as mental health needs, learning loss following the pandemic, food insecurity, and shifts in online and continuing education have grown more complex.
Our students’ outcomes speak to that work. Pace bachelor’s degree graduates are achieving employment rates 12 percentage points higher than the national average, with an average starting salary of $75,098—which is $8,593 above the national benchmark. For the Class of 2024, 95 percent of graduates were employed or continuing their education six months after graduation, and the Class of 2025 is already tracking right alongside them. These results reflect the dedication of our faculty and staff, the resilience of our students, and the strength of the Pace Community as a whole.
As we enter Pace’s 120th anniversary year, I am especially mindful of the responsibility we share as stewards of this institution. From its earliest days, Pace has been grounded in the idea of Opportunitas—creating opportunity through education that is practical, forward-looking, and rooted in care for students. Honoring that legacy means ensuring that Pace is well positioned for its next chapter.
The Board of Trustees will oversee and lead the presidential search process, and the community will hear more about updates in the appropriate time frame.
There is still much important work ahead of us, and I remain focused on advancing our shared priorities with energy, optimism, and purpose. I am grateful to be part of this community, and I will always be part of Pace.
I look forward to discussing our ongoing shared priorities during the State of the University address on Monday, February 9, at 12:00 p.m. I encourage members of the Pace Community to join me for that conversation.
Thank you for all that you do, every day, to support our students and strengthen this University.
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