You know, there’s this weird thing that happens when people talk about Pace University. They usually focus on the fact that it's "the school near the Brooklyn Bridge" or "that place in Lower Manhattan." But honestly? The list of Pace University notable alumni is actually kind of wild. It’s not just a bunch of accountants and lawyers—though there are plenty of those, too. We’re talking about Emmy winners, tech titans, and even people who literally change the way we eat.
If you've ever watched The Sopranos or bought a Verizon phone plan, you've interacted with the legacy of this school. It's kinda funny how a university that started as a humble accounting school in 1906 ended up becoming a massive talent pipeline for Hollywood and Wall Street.
The Hollywood Connection: Beyond the Stage
Most people don't realize that Pace's Sands College of Performing Arts is basically a factory for Broadway and TV stars. It’s currently ranked in the top five for Broadway representation, which is insane when you realize it’s beating out places like Juilliard and Yale.
Take Judith Light. You’ve seen her in Ugly Betty, Transparent, and Who's the Boss?. She’s a Pace alum (class of 1970) who didn't just take the fame and run; she’s become a massive advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Then there’s Joe Pantoliano. Most people know him as Ralph Cifaretto from The Sopranos (the guy you loved to hate) or Cypher from The Matrix. He graduated in '72 and basically became the quintessential "that guy" actor—the one who makes every scene better just by being in it.
Drea de Matteo is another big one. Another Sopranos legend. It seems like if you wanted to be in an HBO mob drama in the early 2000s, a Pace degree was almost a prerequisite.
But it’s not all prestige TV. Rachael Ray is often linked to Pace. While she’s the face of a massive culinary empire and 30 Minute Meals, her connection to the school is a frequently searched tidbit. She's proof that the "Pace hustle" isn't limited to just acting or finance; it's about building a brand from scratch.
Wall Street and the Corporate Heavyweights
You can't talk about Pace University notable alumni without mentioning the suits. Since the campus is literally a stone's throw from the New York Stock Exchange, it makes sense.
Ivan Seidenberg is the name you need to know here. He’s the former Chairman and CEO of Verizon. He didn't just manage a company; he basically built the modern telecommunications landscape we use today. He’s a Lubin School of Business guy, and his impact on the school is so huge that they named the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems after him.
Then there's Joy Mangano. If you saw the movie Joy starring Jennifer Lawrence, that’s her. She invented the Miracle Mop. She graduated with a degree in business administration and turned a simple idea into a billion-dollar HSN empire. It’s that gritty, entrepreneurial spirit that seems to define the "typical" Pace graduate.
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- Mel Karmazin: Former CEO of SiriusXM and former President of CBS.
- Liz Claman: The powerhouse anchor over at Fox Business.
- Harvey Pitt: Former Chairman of the SEC.
The Law School Power Players
Pace’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law (up in White Plains) is a different beast entirely. It’s consistently ranked as one of the best in the country for environmental law.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is probably the most famous name associated with the law school’s faculty and environmental programs, but the alumni list is deep with political and legal figures. Kash Patel, who has held several high-level positions in the U.S. government, is a Pace Law grad. You also have people like Malachy Mannion, a U.S. District Judge.
It's sort of fascinating. You have this split personality where the NYC campus is churning out actors and bankers, while the Westchester campus is producing the people who write the nation's environmental policies.
What Most People Get Wrong
There's a common misconception that Pace is just a "back-up" school for NYU or Columbia. That’s a mistake. If you look at the social mobility stats, Pace is actually a leader. It's one of the best schools in the country for taking students from the bottom 20% of income and moving them to the top.
That "hustle" is a real thing. Students here aren't usually legacy admissions with trust funds. They’re kids from Queens, Jersey, or international students who are working two jobs while taking the 4/5 train to class. That translates into a very specific kind of alumni: people who know how to work.
Breaking Down the Recent Wins (2024-2025)
The alumni network hasn't slowed down lately. In the 2024-2025 academic year, the university introduced the Emerging Alumni Leader Award. The first one went to Harrison C. Davies ('13). It’s a move to bridge the gap between the "old guard" (the CEOs of the 90s) and the new tech/creative class.
Even the athletes are starting to make noise. While Pace isn't a "football school" in the way Alabama is, their Hall of Fame is growing. Dick Jauron, who coached the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills, is a major standout.
Actionable Insights for Aspiring Pros
If you’re looking at these names and wondering how to replicate that success, here’s the reality of the Pace path:
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- Leverage the Location: Every one of these people—from Seidenberg to Pantoliano—used New York City as an extension of their classroom. If you're at Pace and not interning within six months, you're doing it wrong.
- The "Opportunitas" Motto: It’s the school’s motto for a reason. It means "opportunity." The alumni who make it are the ones who say yes to the weird indie film or the entry-level analyst job that requires 80 hours a week.
- Use the Network: The Pace Alumni Association has over 162,000 members. Recent initiatives like the "GOLD" (Graduates of the Last Decade) group are specifically designed to help young alumni get their foot in the door at firms where the "big names" already sit on the board.
The reality is that Pace University notable alumni aren't just names on a wall. They’re a blueprint for how to make it in New York. Whether you want to be the next person winning an Emmy or the one running a Fortune 500 company, the precedent has already been set by the people who walked these halls before you.
Check out the Alumni Association's "Class Notes" or attend the next Reunion 2026 to see who's currently climbing the ranks—you might find your next mentor sitting right next to you.