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October 27, 2025
Send announcements for the Coffee Break (employee) or Solutions (student) newsletters to newsletter@sage.edu by the end of the day Wednesday to appear in next week’s issues.
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🗣️ Sign up for a Joint Merger Update Forum: Don't forget to sign up to attend (virtually or in person) one of the forums for employees co-hosted by Russell Sage and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. The same content will be covered at both sessions, and you'll have the opportunity to ask questions:
- Thursday, October 30, 11 a.m. to noon, ACPHS, Gozzo Student Center, Room 201/202
- Wednesday, November 5, 4 to 5 p.m., Russell Sage Troy campus, Bush Memorial
For those joining virtually, Zoom links will be distributed closer to the forum dates.
| | ⚠️ Disaster Drills: The Nursing department will hold disaster drills on the Troy campus October 28, 29, and 31, in and around Alumnae House. Expect student actors with simulated injuries and participation from local police and fire.
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From HR: Important Info About Open Enrollment
Save the Date! Benefits Open Enrollment begins the week of November 10.
Coffee Hour Preview: CDPHP will present Health Plan 101 at Coffee Hour on Wednesday, November 5. This summary of benefits will be a helpful tool during Open Enrollment.
Meet with NFP: The college’s benefits broker will be on campus to answer questions:
- Monday, November 10, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., West Hall, Albany
- Tuesday, November 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Cowee Hall, Troy
- Tuesday, November 18, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., online, link coming soon
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DPTSA Food Drive
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Student Association is holding a food drive for the Gator Claws-It food pantry. There is a box for food items outside office 303 on the third floor of Hart Hall in Troy, or you can Venmo a donation. Needed items include pasta and sauce, granola and protein bars, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, rice, canned items, snacks, nut and seed butters, cereals, applesauce, and more.
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Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day at Troy Campus Bookstore
Stop by the Troy campus bookstore on the first floor of Gurley Hall on Wednesday, October 29, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Take 25% off select drinkware, pick up a cozy hoodie for casual Fridays, get a Sage Gators insulated lunch tote with $75 purchase!
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Opalka: PhotoRegional Opens Tuesday, Stage & Stanza on Thursday
The 46th PhotoRegional: Seeking New Landscapes opens Tuesday, October 28, at Opalka Gallery, Albany campus. Read more about the exhibit and events.
The Gallery’s Stage & Stanza series returns Thursday, October 30, at 7 p.m. Join poet Carol Durant and Theatre Professor David Baecker for a conversation with creative communicators Darrell Camp and Mary Panza.
| | Left to right, Rosemary Cruz, Samantha Pivacek, Jacob Kagan, Kyle Zheng, Adrianna Denio, Emma Pitrulle, and Lilliana Langdon at the New York State Association for Foreign Language Teachers conference. | |
Students Present Research Posters at NYS State Association for
Foreign Language Teachers Conference
Seven students shared research at the New York State Association for Foreign Language Teachers annual conference in Albany, October 17-18.
The students participated in a poster session that gave them the chance to present their ideas on language learning, teaching, culture, and technology, said Ekaterina Kagan, Ph.D., professor of Spanish and associate director of the Honors Program. “These students not only contributed to important conversations in the field but also represented the college with insight, professionalism, and genuine passion. Their hard work and energy were felt throughout the session, making us proud to have them as part of our community.”
Here are the students and their topics:
- Rosemary Cruz explored stereotypes about non-English-speaking students.
- Adrianna Denio looked at how multilingualism can affect memory.
- Jacob Kagan shared a new way to think about language learning, comparing the process of learning a new language to re-learning language after aphasia.
- Lilliana Langdon studied how extracurricular activities support Spanish learning, mental health, and academic success.
- Samantha Pivacek focused on cultural identity and school engagement.
- Emma Pitrulle explored how bilingualism can support early literacy skills.
- Kyle Zheng presented on how AI tools can help improve patient care.
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Wall of Wins
"The biggest shoutout to Mary Kate Heffernan, senior director of enrollment marketing, communications, and student experience, for supporting the admissions team while I was out during one of the busiest times for admissions — Open House. She really helped pull it together, and it would not have been as successful without her support. Thanks MK!" -Ryan Sue, director of undergraduate enrollment management
New wins wanted! Add your success or celebrate someone else’s on the Wall/Google Doc of Wins.
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Congratulations to Assistant Professor of Expressive Arts in Mental Health Tracy Gilbert and her students, who hosted a conference, Grief-Informed Practice: Building Confidence Across Disciplines, on the Albany campus last week.
Kelly Daugherty, a licensed clinical social worker and grief specialist, is speaking in the picture above. Presenters from Russell Sage included Professor Gilbert, Associate Vice President for Student Life Tawana Davis, and Expressive Arts in Mental Health graduate Morgan Dempsey ’25.
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Recent Papers and Presentations from Professor Harvey Strum
Professor of History and Political Science Harvey Strum delivered a paper on the New York Election of 1808 at the International Conference on Social and Education Sciences, via zoom, on October 17. He also co-chaired a session at the conference. On October 7, he delivered a paper on "Judge Daly and American Aid to Ireland," via zoom at the NIVA conference. Also, on October 7, theTimes Union published his letter to the editor, "President Trump's Vision of History is not Reality."
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Sharpen Your Eye for Digital Deception
Artificial intelligence continues to advance, and with it, so does the sophistication of scams and digital forgeries. What once looked obviously fake is now harder to spot, making awareness more important than ever. This week, we’re focusing on deepfakes: AI-generated videos or images designed to look real. Here are a few subtle signs that something isn’t right:
- Micro-expressions: Does the person blink or show emotion naturally?
- Motion issues: Watch for hair, hands, or reflections that glitch or move unnaturally.
- Physics check: Do shadows, lighting, and object movement behave as they should?
When something feels off, trust your instincts and verify before you believe or share.
Put your skills to the test! Can you spot the digital deception in this week’s Digital Deception Exercise?
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Complete Cybsersecruity Training to Ensure Access to Sage Accounts
- Employees and faculty, complete your training by October 31
- Adjuncts, complete your training by November 18
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Monday, October 27
🪷 Sign up for Yoga Fitness in Albany, Mondays, 8-9 a.m., Kahl Campus Center 224. Classes through November 17.
📖 Book Sale, 5-7 p.m., Bush Memorial, Troy. Books for all ages for $1–$5, or fill a bag for $10 and support Education Honor Society Kappa Delta Pi.
🪩 Sign up for Dance Fitness, 5 p.m., Robison Gym, Troy
Tuesday, October 28
💬 Open Discussion with College Chaplain, noon, Buchman, Troy. Bring thoughts, interests, concerns, or listen and enjoy the company.
💳 Mocktails Networking Event, 4:30-6 p.m., Bush Memorial, Troy. Please encourage students to register for Mocktails and register for the Internship and Volunteer Fair, and attend both. They could win a $100 gift card!
🪷 Sign up for Yoga Fitness, 5:15 p.m., McKinstry 206, Troy
Wednesday, October 29
🟢 Sage Engage, 9 a.m.-2p.m., Albany: A free conference for high school students who want to turn ideas into action. Learn more and register for Sage Engage.
🔥 Sign up for Zumba Fitness, 5:15 p.m., Robison Gym, Troy
Thursday, October 30
✅ Register for merger update, 11 a.m., Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Gozzo Student Center, Room 201/202. Zoom available.
💭 Intercultural Cafe: Help English learners practice conversation, 4-5:30 p.m., West Hall, Albany. Email Noora Ahmed at ahmedn2@sage.edu for info.
Tuesday, November 4
💳 Internship and volunteer fair, 11 a.m.-2p.m., Armory, Albany. Please encourage students to come, or attend as a class. Students who register for the Internship and Volunteer Fair and register for Mocktails (and attend both!) could win a $100 gift card!
Wednesday, November 5
✅ Register for merger update, 4 p.m., Bush Memorial, Troy. Zoom available.
Tuesday, November 18
☕ Coffee and Community with President Shaftel, 9 a.m., Troy. Register for Coffee and Community
Wednesday November 19
🟢🔷 TIAA Representative One-on-One Meetings, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Cowee 3rd Floor, Troy. RSVP for an on campus meeting with TIAA.
Additional TIAA Dates:
- December 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Cowee 3rd Floor, Troy
Thursday, November 20
☕ Serve Albany Brunch: Hosted by local nonprofits (not a Russell Sage event), this monthly brunch highlights community issues. The November 20 topic is Affordable Housing. Find information and sign up for Serve Albany brunch.
| | Access the Employee Assistance Program's Training Center: Visit theeap.com/Higher-Education-EAP and select "Member Login" to access thousands of trainings. HR’s October pick is the new Safe Driving: Addressing Aggression and Road Rage training (Course ID: SVL_1023129). | | |
Employees Invited!
Publish Your Creative Work
The Rev literary and creative arts magazine is accepting submissions for its 2026 edition. Photography, drawing, painting, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction accepted through November 21. Submit up to five pieces or email Laurel Petersen at peterl4@sage.edu with questions.
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Discover the NYT’s Best Books of the Century: Browse the collection in the library's catalog.
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
Volunteer with Every Campus a Refuge: Fill out the ECAR volunteer interest form if you are available to help individuals and families get settled and find community in the Albany area.
Find past issues of Coffee Break in the newsletter archive.
For reference:
| | 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. | | | | |
