July 25, 2025

Dear Pace Community,

Pace University began in 1906 as a school of accountancy, rooted in the belief that education opens doors and drives progress. Over the decades, we have grown into a university known for academic excellence, professional preparation, and real-life learning. We have adapted through world wars, social change, and a global pandemic, always moving forward from our place in the heart of New York. Pace University has always evolved.

Today, higher education is shifting again. Demographic changes, financial pressures, and evolving student expectations are reshaping the landscape. But this disruption presents a real opportunity for Pace.

Our mission, rooted in real-life learning, is exactly what students and families are looking for. We need to do what we do best with greater focus, clarity, and consistency. This is our moment to realign, to improve, and to lead. That begins with transparency, urgency, and a shared commitment to building a better Pace together.

To guide this work, we are launching the Office of Transformation (OOT). This initiative is designed to strengthen our academic reputation, ensure long-term resilience, and enhance the student experience. Most importantly, it is about building our future together.

The OOT will be co-led by Interim Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Jonathan Hill, DPS and  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Bob Almon. They will be supported by Vice President, Presidential Operations and Chief of Staff  Cindy Heilberger, who will serve as Chief Administrative Officer of the OOT.

As we shape our future, faculty insight will be critical to ensuring that the academic core of Pace remains strong, forward-looking, and student-centered. Faculty members will be embedded within each workstream to provide guidance and perspective. Their partnership ensures that this transformation is rooted in academic excellence and shared governance

This effort will focus on four priorities:

1. Strengthening and evolving our academic portfolio, including development of an Academic Master Plan led by Interim Associate Provost of Academic Programs and Strategy Kelley Kreitz and Vice President for Strategic Planning and Special Programs Shawn O’Riley in collaboration with the Joint Faculty Council Academic Plan Steering Committee.
2. Exploring opportunities to reshape the Pleasantville Campus for a sustainable and vibrant future, led by Interim Associate Provost for External Engagement and Faculty Opportunity Rebecca Tekula.
3. Improving how we structure and operate as an organization to increase efficiency and collaboration, led by Senior Vice President for Operations Nicole Thompson.
4. Sharpening our go-to-market strategy to better tell the Pace story, led by Vice President for University Relations and Chief Marketing Officer Zach Hosseini.

This work will require focus, openness, and collaboration across the University. Faculty and staff will play a central role in shaping the path forward, and your insights, experience, and ideas are essential to our success. Tough choices will be discussed, and hard decisions will have to be made, but I believe deeply in this community. Thank you in advance for your commitment to this work and your partnership in shaping what comes next.

Together, we will take bold steps toward a future that builds on what makes Pace distinctive and prepares us to lead in a changing world.

Sincerely,

Marvin Krislov

President

About the Office of Transformation

The Office of Transformation has been created to lead one of the most important efforts in our University’s history. Our focus is to ensure that Pace remains academically strong and student-centered, with the resources and structure needed to deliver fully on our mission.

Our team will lead the daily work of this transformation, gather insights from across the University, and develop recommendations that reflect the ideas and energy of our community. 

We are building a plan that drives real progress in the months and years ahead.

This work will center on five key outcomes:

• Elevating what makes Pace distinctive, including our world-class faculty, our New York locations, and the creative and academic environments where learning thrives
• Strengthening our financial foundation so we can reinvest in growth areas
• Clarifying our message to prospective students and families so they see the full value of a Pace education
• Expanding strategic partnerships that create new opportunities and revenue
• Improving how we operate as a university to become more agile, focused, and effective

This is an opportunity for every part of the Pace Community to help shape what comes next.

Faculty and staff will be able to engage directly with workstream leads and faculty co-chairs across each area of focus. In the coming weeks, we will hold two information sessions: the first on Monday, August 4, from 3:00–4:00 p.m. for department chairs, and the second on Wednesday, August 6, from 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. for all faculty and staff. Meeting details will be sent by email shortly.

We look forward to hearing your ideas and working together to build Pace’s next chapter.

With gratitude, 

Jonathan Hill, DPS

Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Bob Almon

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer