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September 15, 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.
| | Long scroll ahead: When you get to what looks like the end of this email, click "View Entire Message" at the bottom left for events and more. | | 📸 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. | |
Explore Symptom Media:
Faculty Feedback Requested
Faculty, please check out the Russell Sage College Libraries' trial access to the Symptom Media video library* — a collection of more than 1,000 video simulations of mental health conditions with activities.
Please submit feedback on the e-resource before the trial ends October 4.
*Gmail has been glitchy with this link; If you are taken to a password- protected page, try accessing Symptom Media via https://library.sage.edu.
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Club Advisors Needed!
The Office of Student Activities is looking for faculty and staff to serve as advisors for clubs. Advisors help guide student groups and promote their activities. Clubs coming soon include Line Dancing, Debate, Anime, and more. Email Director of Student Activities Theresa Belfance at belfat@sage.edu to volunteer.
Pictured: Club Involvement Fair in Troy
| | JUST ANNOUNCED: Fiesta y Fútbol on the Albany Campus | | |
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration: Saturday, October 4, noon-4 p.m.
Soccer game at noon on the ACPHS fields, followed by a no-cost, all-ages soccer clinic in the Armory
Live beats
Bachata and Salsa instruction
Food from El Rey Mexitalia
Educational and cultural tabling
Lawn games
Free and open to all!
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Celebración del Mes de la Herencia Hispana: Sábado, 4 de octubre, mediodía-4 p.m.
Partido de fútbol al mediodía en los campos de ACPHS, seguido de una clínica gratuita y para todas las edades en el Armory
Música en vivo
Instrucción grupal d Bachata y Salsa
Comida de El Rey Mexitalia
Mesas educativas culturales
Juegos al aire libre
Gratis y abierto a todosour
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Employees Invited!
Publish Your Creative Work
The Rev, a full-color literary and creative arts magazine, is accepting submissions for its 2026 edition.
Photography, drawing, painting, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction accepted through November 21. Up to five submissions per person. For information about formats and requirements, contact Laurel Petersen at peterl4@sage.edu.
Learn more about The Rev and download previous issues.
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Chance to Win a Fitbit When You
Walk for Mental Health with Sage
Join Russell Sage's NAMIWalks team for the National Alliance on Mental Illness community walk on Saturday, October 11, at 10 a.m., in Albany's Washington Park. One Sage team member will win a Fitbit Versa 2. Meet new people, enjoy the outdoors, and support mental well-being. Everyone’s welcome — bring a friend!
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Student Achievements on Merit Pages
Russell Sage College partners with Merit, a nationwide company, to help promote student accomplishments. Merit allows us to share personalized stories about achievements like Dean's List and other college awards and milestones.
These stories are posted to RSC's Merit page and sent to students' hometown newspapers, parents/guardians, high school guidance offices, and elected officials. Merit also makes it easy for students to share their achievements with family, friends, and potential employers.
Help the college celebrate students’ successes! Share your students' awards, presentations, research, honor society inductions, and similar accomplishments by emailing newsletter@sage.edu.
| | Meet Sage's Multi-Gator Families | |
The Multi-Gator Roster
It started with a question in Coffee Break over the summer: Got another Gator in the family?
The call received warm responses from employees across the college whose children are also Sage students:
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Alumna and Vice President for Student Life Trish Cellemme is the parent of Isabel Hypnarowski, a nursing major in the Class of 2028. "Izzy and I have really enjoyed the opportunity to grab breakfast or lunch together on campus," said Trish. "Izzy has enjoyed the independence of being away at college while still having the opportunity to stay connected to family."
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Associate Vice President for Student Life for Student Wellness Tawana Davis and David Davis, Jr., office coordinator in the occupational therapy department, are the parents of David Davis III, a history major in the Class of 2026.
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Cynthia Monaghan, RNC, MS, FNP, nurse practitioner in the Albany Wellness Center, is the parent of Emily Monaghan, who is finishing up the accelerated nursing program this fall. "We are both grateful to Sage for the opportunity," said Cynthia.
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Russell Sage College alumna, Title IX Coordinator and EEO Specialist Amanda Bastiani is the parent of Sophia Bastiani, a nursing major in the Class of 2027. Sophia transferred to Russell Sage this fall and said Sage won her over on its own. She said the faculty she has met so far have been helpful and welcoming, and she really loves the historic architecture on the Troy campus. Amanda said:
“I'm excited for Sophia to experience our caring and friendly Sage community. I know it may sound cheesy, but it's true. I am an RSC alum, so I have the experience and perspective of a student and an employee. We have many faculty, staff, and campus administrators who genuinely care about each other and each student and want to see each student grow and become the best version of themselves. I hope she makes connections here with students and employees that will carry her through her educational journey and beyond. I am also excited for Sophia to experience other aspects of a college community, beyond the academic experience (she's loving the nursing program so far.) This is the time to join a club, dance at Zumba, take an art class, sing, participate in events, try something new, or something that takes her a little out of her comfort zone, be an active part of things she naturally enjoys doing, and that will help her with her overall health and wellness. I tried not to push or pressure her to come to Sage and have this really be her choice, and I'm SO excited she chose Sage. When she got accepted, she sent me a text that read ‘I'M GONNA BE A GATOR AHHHHH! 🐊💚🥰’ So excited for her!"
And Director of IT and CIO Erica Carlo wrote to say she is the parent of Emily Cumo, who is in the final semester of the nursing program.
Thanks to everyone who responded (and to Nursing Professor Glenda Kelman, who suggested the idea!) If you missed the initial call and would like to be included later this fall, send a note to newsletter@sage.edu.
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Record-Setting Submissions to the Wall of Wins — Thank You!
Nine wins submitted this week— nearly double the previous record (five):
"Thank you Jazz Roberts in Financial Aid! Your speed and expertise with student loans is nothing short of incredible. The way you process everything so quickly brings students peace of mind during those stressful time crunches — and that makes a world of difference. Thank you for always going above and beyond, Jazz — you’re truly amazing!"
"Sometimes students decide to attend early and some come in on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Because of their commitment to care, Assistant Professor of Education Kelly Smith and Senior Director of Academic Advising Karen Schell make students feel welcomed, prepared and ready. The admissions team cannot thank them enough. But I hear baked goods could do the trick!"
"Thank you Student Success Librarian Amy Pass for coming into Expressive Arts in Mental Heath classes and teaching students about APA citation and reference accuracy as well as specific EMH research methods, resources, and techniques. Plus you made it engaging and fun!"
"Thank you Administrative Assistant in Visual Arts Megan Kinney for all that you do to support the Art and Design building. You make everyone feel so welcome and, in a fabulous way, you keep faculty on task."
"Thank you Jason Newell in Facilities and the entire facilities team for helping with our office move! We appreciate all you do!" -Admission Processing
"Director of IT Erica Carlo spends time talking through process and tech to help us find new and better solutions. We appreciate her!" -Admissions & Solutions
"Thank you to Senior Library Specialists Marcie Falquez and Erik Riley for helping the campus continue to access the library with fobs for all in our new 24/7 fob access system. Our library staff rocks!"
"Thank you Director of Alumni Relations Fran Vorsky for sponsoring dessert at Ready Day Orientations. It creates early relationships and helps our budget!" -Solutions
"Shout out to our fearless leader in Solutions, Devlin Daley! Super fun and super successful orientations this summer!" --Eoghan Gagne, Solutions Advocate
We joyfully added even more fresh, blank squares to the Wall/Google Doc of Wins. Please share your wins or celebrate a colleague!
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Quarterly Cybsersecurity Training Starts Today, Due October 31
It’s time for the college's quarterly cybersecurity training! Today, Monday, September 15, employees and faculty will receive a training link by email. The course is 17–18 minutes and should be completed before Thursday, October 31.
This quarter’s session focuses on phishing scams, protecting your data, and keeping your accounts secure. While the training is designed to be quick and practical, it is also mandatory for compliance with federal regulations and institutional policy.
Adjuncts: Your training will be released on Wednesday, October 1: Watch your inbox for details!
Have questions or need help logging in? Visit the IT Service Desk at sc.sage.edu. Thanks for doing your part to keep Sage safe and compliant!
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From HR: Featured September Webinar About Finding Harmony
as a Parent and a Professional
Being a parent and a working professional requires a delicate balance. This seminar will discuss the realities of the working landscape for parents. It will review strategies for time and household management, and how to find quality time for yourself. To access this webinar and related resources, log in at www.theEAP.com/Higher-Education-EAP during September.
| | Super 400 lit up Opalka's beer garden on September 5. There's one more beer garden this Friday night. See the beer garden schedule for bands, food trucks, and breweries. This week also features an artisan makers market. | |
All Week
🧭 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.
Monday, September 15
🪩 Sign up for Dance Fitness, 5 p.m., Robison Gym, Troy
Tuesday, September 16
☕ Coffee and Community with President Shaftel, 9-10 a.m., Troy. Register for Coffee and Community.
Additional Coffee and Community Dates:
- Tuesday, October 21, Albany
- Tuesday, November 19, Troy
💬 Open Discussion with College Chaplain, noon, Buchman, Troy. Bring thoughts, interests, concerns, or listen and enjoy the company.
🪷 Sign up for Yoga Fitness, 5:15 p.m., McKinstry 206, Troy
Wednesday, September 17
🟢🔷 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
🔥 Sign up for Zumba Fitness, 5:15 p.m., Robison Gym, Troy (weekly)
💡 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!
Thursday, September 18
🍴Empanada Palooza, 6 p.m., McKinstry Student Center, Troy. Enjoy empanadas from local restaurants and make homemade pastelitos with Dean Stacy Gonzalez, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month!
Friday, September 19
🍻 Beer Garden, 6-9 p.m., Opalka Gallery, Albany. See the beer garden schedule for bands, food trucks, and more.
Wednesday, September 24
🟢🔷 Lunch and Learn with CDPHP: Tools to Manage Stress, noon, Bush Memorial, Troy. Register for Tools to Manage Stress.
Tuesday, October 21- Wednesday, October 22
💚Grief-Informed Practice Workshop, Albany campus. Learn more and register for Building Confidence Across Disciplines: Practical Tools for Supporting Grieving Individuals (Students can sign up for the grief workshop free.)
Wednesday, October 29
🟢🔷 President's Open Forum, 12:30 p.m., Zoom.
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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.
Coffee 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.
Find 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:
| | 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. | | | | |
