Dyson College of Arts and Sciences

D Y S O N Y E A R I N R E V I E W 2 0 2 3 – 2 0 2 4 26 SETTER STORIES Lauren Shelton '26: A Catalyst for Change As the Center for Community Action and Research's student outreach and social media coordinator, Lauren Shelton '26, BS Criminal Justice/MS Homeland Security, was named to the 2024 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Role, a national recognition for students who show an exceptional commitment to nonpa isan student voter outreach. She is one of 137 students nationwide selected for this honor. Dyson Students Honored at 2024 Commencement Alicia Benne '24, Criminal Justice, English Literature, was honored with the Community Service Award, presented to the "graduating student whose active contributions to the life of the University community and to the endeavors of our neighbors in the surrounding community most admirably embody an appreciation for social responsibility." Benne 's tireless commitment to social responsibility and community service has made a tangible difference in improving the world around her. She spent the last three years as an indispensable volunteer for the Parenting, Prison, and Pups program—an evidence-based parenting curriculum that employs the use of therapy dogs to help incarcerated individuals develop and cultivate healthy bonds with their children. She also served as a research assistant for myriad related initiatives, including Puppies on the Block, a puppy fostering program for incarcerated mentally ill chemically addicted clients; Finding Peace Within, a trauma-based yoga program; and the Medical Assistance Treatment program, which works with incarcerated clients seeking treatment for opioid and alcohol disorders. James Kennedy '24, Psychology, received the Charles H. Dyson Award, given to the graduating senior and Fellow who best embodies the ideals and values of the Dyson Society of Fellows. Mikayla Meachem '24, Peace and Justice Studies and Women's and Gender Studies, was honored with the Trustee Award, presented to the "student whose positive contributions to University life and whose academic accomplishments exemplify the highest level of achievement a ainable for an undergraduate." During her time at Pace, Meachem has distinguished herself as a gi ed student with a strong commitment to advocacy and a steadfast dedication to justice. While maintaining an impressive 3.98 GPA and balancing two majors alongside two minors (Criminal Justice and Non- Profit Studies), she has taken an active role in advocating for reproductive justice. Among other initiatives, she's presented on a campus-wide panel with faculty members on reproductive justice as a form of peace-building, as well as completing an extensive senior capstone titled "Doula Activism: Navigating Social Justice in Harmful Systems." As her mentor, Associate Professor Emily Welty, PhD, noted her enthusiasm and dedication has inspired many other students to follow her lead in advocacy within the peace and justice realm. Saloni Shah '24, Economics, delivered the Oppo unitas student address. Students Take Home Biology Awards at William Paterson University Undergraduate Research Symposium Three Pace University students earned awards for their work at the 17th Annual William Paterson University Undergraduate Research Symposium this spring. Zoubeida (Zouzou) Fliesen '24, Biology, also with faculty sponsor Buraei, took home first place in the category, "Cell and Molecular Biology (Group C)," for his poster, "Optimizing In Vitro Transcription to Study PQ Channel Mutations Implicated in Epilepsy." Wenkai (Kevin) Huang '25, Childhood Education (School of Education), won a pair of second-place awards: one in the category, "Physiology, Behavior and Toxicology" for his poster "Analysis of Shoot Circumnutation Developmental Profile in Arabidopsis Thaliana," under the mentorship of Associate Professor of Biology Eric Brenner, PhD, and one in the category, "Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Science," for his poster "The Bacterial Symbionts of the Parasitic Plant Rafflesia— Microscopic Pa ners for Conserving the World's Largest Flowers?" with Sara Musovic and Associate Professor of Biology Jeanmaire Molina, PhD. Sam Ku in '24, Biology, won a first-place award in the category "Cell and Molecular Biology (Group B)" for his poster, "The Role of the Unfolded Protein Response in the Malfunction of a Human PQ-Type Calcium Channel." Ku in's research was done under the mentorship of Associate Professor of Biology Zafir Buraei, PhD. News & Notes

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