When Natasha Depaoli ŮٱƵ26 transferred to ŮٱƵ, she made a last-minute decision that shaped her college experience: she gave up her dorm assignment and chose to commute. Her family worried she wouldnŮٱƵt get involved in the college experience. But Natasha threw herself into campus lifeŮٱƵand today, sheŮٱƵs helping others find the same sense of belonging.
ŮٱƵFor me, being a commuter actually forced me to get involved and go to events,ŮٱƵ she said, explaining how living off-campus required her to take the reins and actively cultivate the community she was seeking. ŮٱƵI wanted to have a college experience and get involved and make friends, and being a commuter got me out of my shell.ŮٱƵ
For me, being a commuter actually forced me to get involved and go to events.
Natasha, a criminal justice major on the Pleasantville Campus with a double minor in psychology and homeland security, has certainly challenged herself to get involvedŮٱƵand sheŮٱƵs risen to the challenge. Beyond her studies, sheŮٱƵs also president of the Criminal Justice Society, chief of communications for , and a peer leader for first-year University 101 students.
What began as a personal effort to find community soon evolved into a drive to build itŮٱƵfor others as well as herself.
That sense of purpose carries into her academic and career goals. Over the summer, she interned with Homeland Security Investigations in New York City and returned to her internship this spring. ŮٱƵIŮٱƵve assisted with e-discovery on investigations, which is really cool to directly work with cases theyŮٱƵre working on,ŮٱƵ she said.
DonŮٱƵt graduate with regrets. If thereŮٱƵs something you want to do on campus, do it.
Her long-term goal is to become a special agentŮٱƵsomething sheŮٱƵs dreamed about since childhood. ŮٱƵI never knew specifically what agency I wanted to work forŮٱƵ but ever since I like got this internship I really fell in love with this agency because it feels like a community.ŮٱƵ For Natasha, this emphasis on community brings things full circleŮٱƵit's something sheŮٱƵs prioritized across her college experience.
To other students, especially first-year students and commuters, NatashaŮٱƵs advice is simple. ŮٱƵDonŮٱƵt be afraid to ask for help and ask questions.ŮٱƵ And for those like her who are entering their final chapter of college this fall, she offers simple advice: ŮٱƵDonŮٱƵt graduate with regrets,ŮٱƵ she says. ŮٱƵIf thereŮٱƵs something you want to do on campus, do it.ŮٱƵ
President Krislov welcomes the Pace community to Fall 2025 with reflections on resilience, connection, and the importance of caring for ourselves and each other. Read his message to kick off the semester with purpose and momentum.
When Vidhi Kothari ŮٱƵ25 began her journey at ŮٱƵ, she didnŮٱƵt expect to become the founder of a startup. But what she did know, was that she wanted to create meaningful value in the world. That desireŮٱƵto build, to contribute, and to empower through employmentŮٱƵbecame the foundation for her path as an entrepreneur.
Questions about registration, financial aid, or student accounts? The Pop-Up Student Solutions Centers are your go-to resource as the semester kicks off. No appointments, no stressŮٱƵjust the answers you need to keep moving forward.