Brianna Adkins ŮٱƵ21 is at the intersection of two disciplines: communications and technology, and sheŮٱƵs paving the way for others with her fresh take on harnessing the power of media to make the world a better place. It comes as no surprise, then, that sheŮٱƵs taken advantage of everything Pace has to offer since coming here.
ŮٱƵMy education at this University has opened doors for numerous encounters, job opportunities, and internships, and I canŮٱƵt wait to see what I accomplish in the future,ŮٱƵ Adkins told us. But it wasnŮٱƵt all a walk in the park. ŮٱƵI have the opportunities to succeed, but they wonŮٱƵt fall in my lap. I have to fight and hustle for every chance to be a better student, editor, and communicator.ŮٱƵ And she certainly has. AdkinŮٱƵs list of accomplishments are extensive; from founding to being to attending and teaching at Kode with Klossy camp, her schedule is jam-packed. She even finds time to write for The Pace Press (and intern for them!) as well as , two well-known publications right here at Pace.
But despite her impressive writing credentials, Adkins ultimately didnŮٱƵt focus on that particular subject when choosing a major. ŮٱƵI knew I wanted to explore options other than writing,ŮٱƵ she told us, having started out as a Digital Journalism major on the Pleasantville Campus before settling on Communication StudiesŮٱƵon the New York City Campus. ŮٱƵ[It] was definitely a transition, because I felt like it was freshman year all over again, but [...] my new major has opened up a brighter chapter for me. IŮٱƵve been studying media theories, how media impacts society, and so much more.ŮٱƵ
Adkins is no stranger to using media as a tool to advocate for positive change. She launched Pretty Smartmagazine in high school as a means to promote body positivity through featuring women and girls of all different shapes and sizes. ŮٱƵI have the opportunity to highlight individuals who give others the guidance and encouragement to be better people,ŮٱƵ Adkins enthused. ŮٱƵWhether itŮٱƵs women who are leaders in STEM, journalists who cover positive or groundbreaking news, or activists who activate social change, I have the platform to give them a voice.ŮٱƵ
It was through the work of another platform, Kode with Klossy, that Adkins was able to amplify her own voice. SheŮٱƵs worked for supermodel and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss as a teaching assistant at her coding camp, where she also attended. There, Adkins was featured alongside other Kode with Klossy scholars in a Wix commercial, went to a runway show in St. Louis, and met former Teen Vogue Chief Content Editor and current Out Editor-in-Chief Phillip Picardi. ŮٱƵI will always be grateful to Karlie and the Kode with Klossy community for the opportunities theyŮٱƵve opened up to me,ŮٱƵ she said.
Through her involvement at Seidenberg writing for their blog, Adkins continues to hone her tech savvy skillsŮٱƵand engage with others in the field. ŮٱƵIŮٱƵve interviewed students who are at the forefront of innovation through their positions at PaceŮٱƵs Design Factory, those who are presidents of Seidenberg organizations, and others who are building incredible applications on their own or within groups,ŮٱƵ she told us.
Perhaps all of this might seem strange for someone so talented with the written word, and yet, the two subjects arenŮٱƵt so different to Adkins. ŮٱƵI love code because itŮٱƵs the language of technology,ŮٱƵ she explained. ŮٱƵWith knowledge of coding, you have the opportunity to build applications and websites that can do so much good. IŮٱƵve used coding in jobs, for the Pretty Smart website, and [for] other occasions.ŮٱƵ We foresee an incredibly bright future for Adkins, not to mention all the people she will continue to inspire throughout her career.
At 25, Soumyadip Chatterjee ŮٱƵ23 began his Pace journey. By 27, he was the youngest senior software engineer on a major project at Wells Fargo. Read his story to see how he turned challenges into motivation to go further.
After the passing of two long-term and dedicated Alumni Board Members, the Honorable Sandra A. Forster ŮٱƵ79 and Adele Lerman Janow ŮٱƵ90, the Alumni Board decided to establish an Immediate Impact Scholarship to commemorate the lives of these esteemed alumnae, The Adele Janow and Judge Sandra Forster Memorial Scholarship.
Meet Azeem Azhar: a 2021 graduate of the Bachelor of Arts in Biological Psychology, Azeem continued into the Master of Science Physician Assistant Program ŮٱƵ Pleasantville program, which he aims to have completed in December 2025. We connected with him to learn more about his leadership opportunities within the PA program!