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Coffee Break Newsletter Masthead

September 8, 2025


Send your announcements for the Coffee Break (employees) or Solutions (students) newsletters to newsletter@sage.edu by the end of the day on Wednesday to appear in next week’s issues.

β˜• Coffee Hour, September 10, 9 a.m.: Zoom in for a CARE Team update and to share your good news. Save the Zoom link to your calendar and find more Coffee Hour links in the Reminders section.

πŸ“Έ Faculty: Showcase Your Class in a September Photoshoot! Marketing and Communications is planning a photoshoot the week of September 22 to showcase classroom engagement. If you have a fun activity or lively discussion planned and want your class considered, please connect with Mary Kate Heffernan at heffem2@sage.edu. 

πŸ”‘ The Future is Fobbed: Starting TODAY, Monday, September 8, most campus buildings will be locked and accessible only by fob or designated entrances. Need one? Visit the library or see Public Safety's webpage for details.

πŸ“’ AlertMedia Test This Week: Emergency alerts (weather, safety) go out by text, email, and phone. Update your info before the system test on Wednesday, September 10 at 2 p.m. Visit sc.sage.edu/IT for help.

🎽 Free Online Fitness Classes: Log in at BODi/Beachbody on Demand with

Username: Recreation@sage.edu and Password: Thrive2020

🚲 Free CDPHP Cycle! membership: Free daily bike rides with the CDPHP Cycle! app and promo code RussellSage: www.cdphpcycle.org.

πŸ‘Ÿ Free Couch-to-5K Program for Survivors: Strong Through Every Mile offers a running program for survivors of violence and abuse. Starts today, September 8, but you can join anytime in the first two weeks. Email gishj@sage.edu.

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What's New

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A large group of people stands on the steps of a classical building with white pillars

Russell Sage's strong enrollment continues to make headlines.

In the News and Around the Web


Schools and charities could see windfalls from $20M in Saint Rose donor funds

(Times Union)


Russell Sage College's enrollment hits 10-year high (Business Review)


Looking ahead: Sage President Shaftel is excited for '25-26 academic year

(Troy Record)


'Exciting time': Russell Sage College students move in and begin classes

(Troy Record)


Russell Sage’s Troy Campus Buzzing With Construction (Sage.edu)


A new chapter for students with disabilities who are starting their college experience (LivingResources.org)

Trailer for The North Witch, written by and starring Anna Shields '12.

Grads and Students in the News


The North Witch, a film written by and starring theatre grad Anna Shields '13, was listed among Five Horror Movies to Stream Now in the New York Times. (Thanks, Professor David Baecker, for bringing this to our attention!)


New York State Teacher of the Year Colleen Keough '06 received another prestigious teaching award.


Theatre grad Kyrie Ellison '13 is featured in Loudon native helps actors navigate intense moments onstage in the Laconia Daily Sun (New Hampshire).


And check out this Times Union story about grad student and Tri-City ValleyCats outfielder Jake Reinisch, who helped lead the baseball team to its second straight postseason.

A stone labyrinth pathway with colorful mushroom lights and large rocks labeled INHALE and EXHALE.

This rock labyrinth in Troy was created by the Expressive Arts in Mental Health program and the Denise Taber Finard ’80 Women’s Institute to commemorate the COVID shutdowns and echoes the themes of the upcoming Grief-Informed Practice Workshop.

Just Announced: Grief-Informed Practice Workshop


Grief is universal, yet most professionals receive little to no formal training on how to support someone after a death. A Grief-Informed Practice workshop, October 21-22 on the Albany campus, offers practical tools especially valuable for faculty and others in student-facing roles. Continuing education credits available.


Learn more and register for Building Confidence Across Disciplines: Practical Tools for Supporting Grieving Individuals.


(Students can register for the Grief-Informed workshop for free.)

colorful speech bubbles with the word meetup in white text

STARTS THIS WEEK!

Open Discussion with College Chaplain

Tuesdays, noon, Buchman, Troy  


You are invited to drop by an open discussion with College Chaplain Darren Gundrum and other members of the Sage community. The topics are limitless! Bring thoughts, interests, concerns, or listen and enjoy the company. Open discussions run weekly through November 4.

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Way to Go!

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A grrid of colorful squares

Wall of Wins


"Appreciation to the facilities folks in Troy on move-in Saturday [August 23]. They were at work before everyone else and greeted each arriving staff with a cheerful 'Good Morning,' helping to set the tone for the day!"


Fresh, blank squares have just been added to the Wall/Google Doc of Wins. Please share your wins or celebrate a colleague!

Do you have news to share? Send it to newsletter@sage.edu!

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Tech Check from IT

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Laptop screen showing a new email notification with one unread message indicated by a blue envelope icon and a red circle with the number 1

Email Smarts: Spot the Fakes, Check the Real


Not every email is what it seems: Learn how scammers fake messages from trusted contacts and pressure you to act fast. Don’t get caught in a Business Email Compromise trap. Read more in the September issue of Sage Guard, IT's newsletter (PDF).


Remember, Russell Sage uses Google Workspace (Gmail) for email: Not Microsoft 365! Check your Sage Gmail regularly, as this is where the college will send important updates.

Stay Up to Date on Cybersecurity: Access all the 2025 issues of Sage Guard

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HR Corner

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Upcoming Talkspace Go Classes: Find the September 2025 Talkspace Go schedule and registration info (PDF).


HR Events: Scroll through the Events section below for info about TIAA meetings (the next one is September 17) and a stress-management Lunch and Learn on September 24.

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Events

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Stylized geometric compass rose with COMPASS ROSES exhibit info and opalka gallery logo

Weekend Fun at Opalka Gallery


Compass Roses: Maps by Artists at Opalka Gallery, Albany, features 30 maps by local visual, literary, and performing artists, and events from art talks to yoga. This week:


🧭 Friday, September 12, 6-9 p.m., Exhibition reception and beer garden


🧭 Saturday, September 13, 11 a.m., Albany History in Maps talk with City Historian Tony Opalka, followed by a scavenger hunt

Looking for something to do? New events are added to The Chomp every day. Check it often to see what is going on!


Have an event to promote? Add it to The Chomp first, then email the details to newsletter@sage.edu.

Monday, September 8


πŸͺ© Sign up for Dance Fitness, 5 p.m., Robison Gym, Troy (weekly through December 1)


Tuesday, September 9


πŸ“š Encourage students to attend: Club Involvement and Student Employment Fair, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., outside Buchman Pavilion, Troy  


πŸͺ· Sign up for Yoga Fitness, 5:15 p.m., McKinstry 206, Troy (weekly though November 18)


Wednesday, September 10


πŸ“š Encourage students to Register for the Internship Prep Workshop, 1-3, p.m., KCC 224, Albany, to be entered into a raffle for cash prizes.


πŸ”₯ Sign up for Zumba Fitness, 5:15 p.m., Robison Gym, Troy (weekly through November 19)


Thursday, September 11


πŸ“š Please encourage students to attend: Club Involvement and Student Employment Fair, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., KCC Quad, Albany


Friday, September 12


🍻 Beer Garden, 6-9 p.m., Opalka Gallery, Albany. See the beer garden schedule for bands, food trucks, and more.


Saturday, September 13


πŸ’š The Moving Message Walk/Wheel/Roll to support work at The Aphasia Center at Russell Sage, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Albany campus.


Tuesday, September 16


Coffee and Community with President Shaftel, 9-10 a.m., Troy (details to come).


Additional Coffee and Conversation Dates:

  • Tuesday, October 21, Albany
  • Tuesday, November 19, Troy


Wednesday, September 17


πŸŸ’πŸ”· TIAA Representative One-on-One Meetings, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Cowee 3rd Floor, Troy campus. RSVP for an on campus meeting with TIAA.


Additional TIAA Dates:

  • October 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., West Hall, Albany 
  • November 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Cowee 3rd Floor, Troy
  • December 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Cowee 3rd Floor, Troy


πŸ’‘ Mapping Leadership Journeys: A Guided Networking Experience, 5:30 p.m., Opalka Gallery, Albany: Join members of the Times Union's Women@Work network to explore professional growth, leadership, and mentorship. Register for Mapping Leadership Journeys; nominate a student and the organizers will send them a personal invite!


Wednesday, September 24


πŸŸ’πŸ”· Lunch and Learn with CDPHP: Tools to Manage Stress, noon, Bush Memorial, Troy. Register for Tools to Manage Stress.


Saturday, October 11


πŸ’š Sage is forming a team for the National Alliance on Mental Illness Walk, 10 a.m. Find more info and register for the NAMI Walk.


Wednesday, October 29


πŸŸ’πŸ”· President's Open Forum, 12:30 p.m., Zoom link to come.

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Remindersο»Ώ

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ο»ΏCoffee Hour links: Find Coffee Hour recordings; see the Coffee Hour schedule or sign up to present; or email the Coffee Hour team at innovation@sage.edu.


Pizza Deals from Papa John's: Use these online-only coupon codes for deals from Papa John's at 571 New Scotland Avenue (Papa John's is an athletics sponsor.)


  • Use code GATOR1: 1 large pizza, 1 topping, $7.99
  • Use code GATOR2: 3 medium pizzas, 1 topping, $18
  • Use code GATOR3: 2 medium pizzas, 1 topping, $5.99 each (must buy 2)
  • Use code GATOR4: 1 medium pizza, 1 topping+ breadsticks OR 6 garlic parmesan breadsticks, $12.98


"How-To" Links from IT:



Volunteers Needed


  • Intercultural Cafes, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Mondays (Spirituality Center, Troy) and Thursdays (West Hall, Albany), are friendly gatherings where English language learners practice conversation with volunteers. Drop in, or email Nana Owusu-ofori (Troy) or Noora Ahmed (Albany) to learn more.


  • Please complete the ECAR volunteer interest form if you are available to work with Every Campus A Refuge to help individuals and families get settled and find community in the Albany area.


ο»ΏFind past issues of Coffee Break in the newsletter archive.


Moodle help: Find updated Moodle links and important information for 2025-2026 in this PDF. You can also schedule a training session with Sage Online via the Training Request Form. 


For reference:

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Thanks for Reading!

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Send announcements for the Coffee Break (employees) or Solutions (students) newsletters to newsletter@sage.edu by the end of the day on Wednesday to appear in next week’s issues.

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