Saint Mary’s College opens new Prikkel Advising, Career, and Experience (PACE) Center

Saint Mary’s College has opened its new Prikkel Advising, Career, and Experience (PACE) Center, which was made possible through a gift from alumna Jennifer Mathile Prikkel ’95, Patrick Prikkel, and their family. The goal of the PACE Center is to give students a central hub to access advising, career development, and experiential learning that will help them discern their goals and guide their academic journey to fit their desired future.

According to an article on Saint Mary’s College’s website, college president Katie Conboy was quoted as saying, “The PACE Center represents a bold and deeply mission-driven investment in our students. This space brings together advising, experiential learning, and career development in a way that reflects how students actually grow — through reflection, exploration, and meaningful relationships. It allows us to meet students where they are and walk alongside them as they prepare for lives of purpose, leadership, and impact.”

The PACE Center is located in a wing of Le Mans Hall that was recently renovated and is now the centralized spot on campus for students to receive academic advising, career exploration, and experiential learning that will shape their path through their college experience. Students will receive guidance on how to identify their strengths as well as what they are passionate about, will help them connect with alumni for networking, and help them plan internships.

Jennifer Mathile Prikkel serves on the Saint Mary’s College Board of Trustees. She graduated from the college in 1995 with a degree in religious studies. She said of her family’s decision to fund the PACE Center, “Saint Mary’s shaped who I am — not just professionally, but as a person. Patrick and I believe deeply in the potential of these students, and we wanted to help create a place where they feel supported, challenged, and empowered to imagine what’s possible. The PACE Center reflects the values that drew me to Saint Mary’s and the confidence it gave me to pursue a meaningful life and career.”

The PACE Center will be led by a new Dean of Career Integration, who will be hired to oversee employer and community partnerships, internship and work-based learning opportunities, and collaboration with Advancement and Alumnae Relations. 

Current student Leylany Rivera, who is a political science major, is excited for the benefits she will gain from utilizing the PACE Center. She said, “Having everything in one place will make such a difference. I’ve been able to talk through my major and explore internships through the current career services office, but having even more resources available through the PACE Center will help connect me with alumnae with greater ease. It will be a great way to feel more supported as I select my career path.”

For more information about Saint Mary’s College, visit the school’s website.