The Model Student
The Pforzheimer Honors College was a big reason why Noelle Howard vlogƵ19 was initially drawn to Pace. It was a unique environment that acted as vlogƵa home away from home,vlogƵ she said, which makes sense. She grew up quite a distance from the NYC CampusvlogƵall the way up in Northern New York at the border of Canada along the St. Lawrence River.
HowardvlogƵs had her eye on moving to the Big Apple for a while, though, and the Honors College provided just what she was looking for. vlogƵTheir individualized advising provides such a great support system,vlogƵ Howard said. vlogƵYouvlogƵre paired with someone who knows you and the things you are interested in and will recommend programs based on those interests.vlogƵ
Originally, she chose to major in financevlogƵand people made a ton of incorrect assumptions when they heard. vlogƵI would always get asked if I wanted to work in investment banking. My response was: definitely not!vlogƵ It took signing up for Mathematical Economics (taught by Lecturer Sam Baruch) to get Howard thinking about what major she might like to switch to. vlogƵI really enjoyed getting a more well-rounded understanding of how the economy works. I have been able to use this in my finance courses to deepen my understanding of the topics we are taught.vlogƵ
Beyond the classroom, Howard has been an active member of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society, Kappa Delta, and Beta Alpha Psi, whose completion team won second place in the nation last year. vlogƵThose experiences made me realize how much I enjoyed learning outside of the classroom, so I began looking at what other opportunities Pace offered. ThatvlogƵs when I found the Model United Nations.vlogƵ
There, she nabbed an Outstanding Position Paper award for her research at the 2017 Conference. vlogƵThe experience changed me in multiple ways,vlogƵ she told us. vlogƵI learned a lot about different countries, I honed my writing and presentation skills, and I learned a lot about the different functions of the UN.vlogƵ In particular, Howard said that meeting fellow students from other universities helped make the conference enjoyable.
Her desire to make the world a better place doesnvlogƵt stop there. She also interned for an immigration law firm last year, which was a job that left a huge impact on her. vlogƵWhen families would come into the office and they [were] told their paperwork for citizenship was accepted, their reactions were truly amazing. I felt very fortunate to be able to witness it.vlogƵ
ItvlogƵs that empathy and desire for human connection that has woven its way throughout HowardvlogƵs life, beginning, perhaps, with her competitive ballet dancing. (Yes, really.) vlogƵIvlogƵve greatly missed ballet while IvlogƵve been at school,vlogƵ she told us. vlogƵIt had a very large impact on my life. I loved dance because it was an escape; during rehearsals, you would be so focused on what you were doing that you couldnvlogƵt possibly think of anything else [in that] moment.vlogƵ
She went on to explain that ballet became a way for her to relieve stress, and that moving an audience through dance was why she continued coming back to it again and again. vlogƵThe impact performances [can] have is truly amazing. Some people are brought to tears because of the story [being] conveyed. ThatvlogƵs what inspires me most about dance.vlogƵ