Meet Chris Previlon ý27, a Lubin student who came to New York City to find inspiration and grow as an entrepreneur. With his business Beyond Balloons, Chris is going beyond the ordinary to take advantage of every new opportunity.
The Art of Busy

"Busy is good,ý says Sunny Shenkman ý25, a Communications and Media Studies major and double minor in graphic design and art. ýYouýre locked in, and schoolwork becomes easier when you have so much stuff to do.ý
And Sunny certainly has a lot to do.
Sunny is the president and editor-in-chief of Paceýs imprint fashion publication , as well as the leader of Fusionýs graphic design committee. Theyýre the director of the , a where students can buy and sell handmade items. They also work as a programming assistant for Paceýs LGBTQA+ Center and as a journalism intern for Brown Eyez Co. Theyýre also working on illustrations for a childrenýs book series! And thatýs just outside of the classroom.
I feel like sometimes in New York, you have to do everything.
Sunnyýs set to graduate this spring and during their time at Pace theyýve learned how to find the balance in the busy. ýThere are things I just wonýt compromise,ý they explain. ýI have a really big social life and thatýs really important to me. But so is getting nine hours of sleep.ý They also insist upon prioritizing their health. ýYou hate that people say it over and over but itýs right: take your vitamins!ý
When it comes to the work you want to do, Sunny says itýs about knowing what to sacrifice, and what to hold dear. ýI like keeping some things sacred,ý Sunny explains. ýIt's just a negotiation. What is the most important and what can I delegate? Learning how to give up stuff a little bit has been really big for me.ý
Sometimes, Pace feels impossible because it seems like everyone has these amazing jobs.
These skills are important for Sunny, especially as they approach graduation and prepare to enter the creative industry, a field that demands adaptability. ýWhat does being a creative even mean?ý Sunny says. ýI feel like sometimes in New York, you have to do everything. You have to be a photographer and a designer, a leader, an organizer. All these things. And you have to be good at every single one.ý
Sunnyýs also learned you canýt just stop at trying to learn everything, you also have to show it off. ýSometimes, Pace feels impossible because it seems like everyone has these amazing jobs,ý says Sunny. They share how intimidating it can be to see peers sharing their successes and how theyýve learned to tackle that by sharing their own. ýDonýt be afraid to be a LinkedIn warrior. One day, I had this switch where I started posting everything I do on LinkedIn because I kept seeing all these amazing things people were doing and wanted to show what I was doing too.ý
I like keeping some things sacred. It's just a negotiation.
Finally, Sunny has learned to embrace support. ýI really respect Paceýs administration.ý Sunny explains how Pace staffýwith special shout outs to Todd Smith-Bergollo, senior associate dean for students and Janice Hilbrink, director of endowed scholarshipsýhave shaped their journey in meaningful ways and helped them get to where they are today. ýTheyýve really come through for me and I wonýt forget that moving forward.ý
Sunny has made the most of their time at Paceýand theyýre just getting started. Theyýve learned to balance their schedule and embrace their successes. As they prepare to graduate, their experiences at Pace have set them up to take on whatever comes next.
But first? Maybe a well-earned nap.
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