Majoring in International Studies and Japanese at a small school in Indiana, Rachel Carpenter didn’t imagine that she’d one day be working at a university in Pleasantville, NY.

Now, as Lisa Bardill Moscaritolo leaves for the Semester at Sea program this spring, Carpenter is adapting once again to become the new acting Dean for Students.

“I could never seek to replace her,” said Carpenter, who currently serves as the Director of Student Development and Campus Activities (SDCA).

Carpenter plans to continue her involvement with SDCA through participation in staff meetings and student leadership programs. According to her, the office has already been restructuring with each staff member taking on new roles.

“Because I have staff that are incredibly, independent, incredibly creative… there was a need to give people more ownership over programs and responsibilities,” Carpenter said.

Carpenter will remain the supervisor of SDCA while taking on more “big picture” responsibilities.

“Dean Lisa has given the main parts of her responsibilities to me… so looking at student conduct, student health issues, student safety and the direction of division,” Carpenter said. “Some of things I’m excited about is serving on some of the committees Dean Lisa serves on like University strategic plan.”

Carpenter was once the Dean at a small study abroad school, but according to her, she is looking forward to working on a larger scale.

Carpenter began working at Pace in 2010. The school reminded her of her Alma Mater, the University of Evansville in Evansville, Indiana, and she appreciated both its small size and passionate student body.

“I loved… the students’ passion for what they do and the diversity, whether it’s diversity of thought or background,” Carpenter said. “I’ve never met students like that before,” Carpenter said.

Regarding next semester’s Townhouse Day plans, Carpenter said that she will be more involved in the upcoming weeks. However, all decisions are dependent upon the Townhouse Council and their proposals.

Carpenter would like to see change within the Pace community while remaining faithful to Dean Lisa’s intended goals.

“When Dean Lisa gets back, I don’t want the ship to be in a completely different direction,” she said.

Carpenter would like Pace to become a community of caring. She would also like to see more students involved on campus and she wants to be able to “reach more students.”

“I would like us to become a campus that would step up to help people” Carpenter said.