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March 16, 2026
Send announcements for Coffee Break (employees) or Solutions (students) to newsletter@sage.edu by end of day Wednesday to appear in the next issues.
| | On Wednesday, March 4, the first New York Capital Honors Exchange symposium brought together honors students from Russell Sage College, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Hudson Valley Community College, University at Albany, and Union College to share research and celebrate undergraduate scholarship. The event was a great success, with strong participation, engaging presentations, and a wonderful sense of academic community. Honors Program directors Kate Kagan and Nathanael Greene are grateful to the students who shared their work and the mentors and community members who celebrated their achievements. Thank you also to HVCC for the photo above. | | Canvas to Replace Moodle: Russell Sage College is moving from Moodle to Canvas learning management system in fall 2026. Canvas offers a more intuitive interface, better mobile tools, and a smoother learning experience. Watch for training dates and migration updates from Sage Online. | | |
Dates to be aware of:
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Great Colleges to Work For Survey: If you received the survey from ModernThink via your Sage email on March 4, please consider participating; the confidential survey closes March 30.
- If you’ll be renting regalia for commencement, email Carol Pett by Sunday, April 5. Scroll to the bottom of the newsletter for complete details.
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Sign Up for the Employee Softball League
Thrive@ Russell Sage is forming a coed softball team for employees. Games begin April 27 and are played once a week, on weeknights. The team will start in the beginner bracket, and all experience levels are welcome.
Find out more and sign up for the Employee Softball League.
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Russell Sage to Host the Capital District Feminist Studies Consortium Conference
Wednesday, March 25, Bush Memorial, Troy
This conference features presentations by several Sage students and faculty. View the conference program and register for the free conference (Join for the full day or an individual session; lunch included!) Volunteers also needed! Please email Michelle Napierski-Prancl if you’re available. Artwork by Nina Lavorne ’29
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Win Amazon Gift Cards in Recreation and Fitness’s NCAA Bracket Challenge!
Sign up for Rec and Fitness’s NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament challenges for a chance to win Amazon gift cards.
Women’s Pool League Name:
Russell Sage Recreation and Fitness Challenge 2026
Men’s Pool League Name:
RSC Recreation and Fitness 2026 Challenge
Password for both pools: RSCrecandfit2026
Amazon gift cards will be awarded to the top three finishers in both brackets: $30 for first place, $20 for second, and $10 for third. Must have a free ESPN account to sign up. Questions? Email Joe Michaud. Good luck!
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Metabolic Health Expert and Author Alexandra Sowa, M.D., to Keynote “Menopause Reimagined” Conference
On Friday, March 27, Alexandra Sowa, M.D., (pictured), author of The Ozempic Revolution, will speak at “Menopause Reimagined” on the Troy campus. The conference also features experts in nutrition, PT, psychology, public health, and pharmacy. Learn more and register for Menopause Reimagined.
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Two Opportunities to Give Blood
This week: Thursday, March 19, noon-4 p.m.,
Armory, Albany campus
Sign up for Russell Sage’s Albany Blood Drive
Next month: Wednesday, April 8,
9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
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First Destination Survey Success: A Team Effort and a Collective Win
Thanks to dozens of faculty and staff who reach out to encourage participation in the First Destination Survey — which tracks employment and continuing education outcomes for the most recent Sage graduates — the Career and Self-Discovery Center captured outcomes for 92% of August 2024, December 2024, and May 2025 grads. These efforts help highlight the achievements of Russell Sage alumni and demonstrate the real-world value of a Sage education. Some key outcomes from these recent grads:
- 94% are working or continuing education.
- 95% are employed in roles closely related to their studies.
- 51% of working graduates are contributing locally in the Capital District.
- 27% of bachelor’s recipients have already begun pursuing graduate programs, with nearly three-quarters of those continuing at Sage.
Career and Self-Discovery Center Director Carleen Pallante shared more information about the First Destination survey and other center highlights at Coffee Hour on March 4. View the slides, with information about top industries, employers, and more.
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From the Office of the Provost: Tenure, Promotion, and Sabbaticals
Congratulations to the following faculty members:
Tenured and promoted to Associate Professor
- Ali Schaeffing, Ph.D., Geography
Promotion to Professor
- Francesca Durand, Ed.D., Educational Leadership
- Kristi LaMonica, Ph.D., Biology
- Rupali Singh, Ph.D., Physical Therapy
Promotion to Associate Professor of the Practice
- Kelli Hamm, Ph.D., Health Sciences
- Nathanael Green, MFA, Creative Writing
- Racheal Paige, DNP, Nursing
2026-2027 Sabbaticals
- Gayle Morse, Ph.D., professor, Psychology, fall 2026
- Julie Verette-Lindenbaum, Ph.D., associate professor, Psychology, fall 2026
- Michelle Napierski-Prancl, Ph.D., professor, Sociology, spring 2027
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Faculty Presentations at Eastern Sociological Society Annual Meeting
The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies was well represented at the Eastern Sociological Society annual meeting held in Washington, D.C., earlier this month. Pictured, left, to right:
- Assistant Professor of Sociology Jae Kim, who presented a paper “From Reconstruction to DEI: Historical Attunement and the Metabolism of Antiblackness“
- Assistant Professor of Geography and Director of Service Learning and Community Engagement Ali Schaeffing, Ph.D., who presented at the society’s Institute on Teaching Social Action
- Professor of Sociology Michelle Napierski-Prancl, Ph.D., who presented the paper ”Sixteen Candles, Sex & the City, and the Names Parents Choose for their Children“
- Associate Professor and Behavioral Scientist Stephanie Bennett-Knapp, Ph.D., MPH, who presented the paper “Place Matters: 2020 Aggregated Drinking Rates for Selected (MMSAs)“
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Celebrate the College’s Human Mood-Lifters on the Wall of Wins!
“Coffee Break sends a long overdue thank you to Sheri Spraker, executive assistant in the Advancement office, for her frequent contributions to the Wall of Wins (especially after a WoW lull) and to Coffee Hour! She’s incredibly supportive of others at Sage and deserves her own shout out!”
“Huge shoutout to Senior Director of Annual Giving Katie Danico and Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Advancement Resources Tori Reinhard for the campus employee appreciation breakfasts this week! Everything was seamless, and it was so nice to actually see everyone in person and catch up. Thank you for making us feel appreciated.”
“Thank you, Director of Athletics Jim Lyons, Women’s Lacrosse Coach Geri Seif, Flag Football Coach Denver Divens, Baseball Coach Matt Marsh and all the Athletics staff for your department updates at Coffee Hour! We truly appreciated you sharing updates from Athletics and giving us a glimpse into what our teams have been working toward this year. It is always great to hear about your accomplishments and the momentum building across programs.”
Did anyone else read Meet the Human Mood-Lifters in The New York Times? (Don’t forget—you have free access to the Times through the Russell Sage College Libraries.) If it made you think of a colleague, consider celebrating them on the Wall of Wins!
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New Events from HR
- Employee Recognition Event: Thursday, May 21, noon-2 p.m., The Armory, Albany. Save the Date for this presentation and reception recognizing retirees and employee award recipients. More details forthcoming.
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Register for Being a Mindful Co-Worker, Wednesday, March 25, 2 p.m., online: Learn ways to develop mindfulness at work so that you can regulate emotions, respond supportively to coworkers, and work collaboratively with even the most difficult coworkers.
| | Previously Announced Events | | |
Looking for something to do? New events are added to The Chomp online calendar every day. Check it often to see what is going on!
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Everything Is Theatre: A Funny and Reassuring Career Talk
March 16, 6 p.m., Bush Memorial, Troy
Theatre grad Brandon Hansen returns to Russell Sage to share how creative skills translate into real-world impact
Register for Brandon's talk today!
Read a Q&A with Hansen, now Vice President of External Affairs at the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund, on Sage.edu.
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What is Your ‘To Be?’: Personal and Professional Journeys
Wednesday, March 18, 4-6 p.m.
Bush Memorial, Troy campus
Hear from Russell Sage graduates in the fields of education, health sciences, and government, who’ll share their personal and professional successes and challenges, as well as tools and resources to navigate disruptions along the way. The talk will be followed by an interactive workshop. Learn more and register for this panel and workshop, hosted by the Denise Taber Finard ’80 Women’s Institute.
There will be a drawing for gift cards and prizes for those who attend, so please encourage your students to stop by and make plans to attend yourself!
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True Crime and Engaged Learning with the Criminal Investigation Resource Center
March 19, 7 p.m.
Learn how Criminologist Christina Lane, associate professor and director of Sage’s Criminal Investigation Resource Center, works with students to address unsolved cases in partnership with law enforcement. And hear from her students, too! Register for the March 19 webinar, part of the Proudly Sage series.
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Registration Now Open for the CDPHP Workforce Challenge
Thrive@ Russell Sage and Recreation and Fitness are organizing a team for the CDPHP Workforce Challenge, a 3.5-mile walk/run on Thursday, May 21, at 6:25 p.m. at the Empire State Plaza. It costs $5 to join Team Russell Sage College (The “normal” price is $35, but Thrive will cover the remaining $30!) Register for the Workforce Challenge.
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WEEKLY EVENTS
MONDAYS
Register for Hot Yoga: 7:30 a.m., Albany, Science 101
Register for Dance Fitness: 5 p.m., Troy, Robison Gym
TUESDAYS
Register for Pilates, 9:30 a.m., Troy, McKinstry 206
Register for Yoga: 5:15 p.m., Troy, McKinstry 206
WEDNESDAYS
Register for Zumba Fitness: 5:30 p.m., Troy, Robison Gym
FRIDAYS
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Regalia Rental for Commencement: Please Order by April 5
If you’ll be participating in commencement or other end-of-semester events that require regalia (like Honors Convocation or PT Hooding), please contact Carol Pett at 1pettc@sage.edu or 518-274-0199 by Sunday, April 5.
Note: This rental option is for administration, faculty, and staff only. Please do not share with students.
If you rented regalia in the past, the bookstore will not assume you need it again unless you confirm. Please include the following information in your email:
- Height
- Jacket or dress size (indicate if over 250 lbs. so the gown fits properly)
- Hat size or head measurement around the widest part of the forehead in inches
- Degree and field of study (e.g., Master of Science in Chemistry)
- College or university and city and state
- Daytime contact information
Rental Pricing:
- Bachelor’s unit (cap/gown/tassel/hood): $77 + tax
- Master’s unit (cap/gown/tassel/hood): $84 + tax
- Doctoral unit (cap/gown/tassel/hood): $93 + tax
- Doctoral unit (tam/gown/tassel/hood): $121 + tax
- Individual components (gown, hood, cap/tam, tassel) can also be rented
Payment is due at pick-up at M.O.S.S. Books, Troy (Gurley Hall, 1st Floor). Please return all items as soon as possible after your ceremony.
Store Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Friday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Shipping is $7.99. Contact the bookstore to discuss alternative payment, pick-up, or delivery options. Orders received after the deadline may incur extra shipping charges.
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Free Fitness and Nutrition Consultations
To make an appointment or ask questions, email Recreation and Fitness Director Joe Michaud.
Fitness Consultations — McKinstry Fitness Center, Troy
Meet with Certified Personal Trainer Bila Bonifacio. Appointments available:
👟Monday: 2-6 p.m.
👟Wednesday: 1-4 p.m.
👟Friday: noon-3 p.m.
Nutrition Consultations — FitStop, Albany Armory
Walk in or make an appointment to meet with Nutrition graduate student RJ Burkitt for information (not guidance from a Registered Dietitian; Registered Dietitian education in progress).
🍏Mondays: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
🍏 Tuesdays: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
🍏Thursdays: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
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TIS Kids, TIS Teens, and Summer on Stage — Register Now!
The Theatre Institute at Sage is excited to announce four shows being produced exclusively for K-12 students, its biggest season ever! Sage community members get $100 off registration for a new program for 6-12 year olds, a revamped summer camp, and the popular TIS Teens program. Email Eddie Knight for more information.
| | Free tax help at Troy Public Library, across Second Street from the Troy campus, Thursdays, through April 9. Walk-ins welcome; appointments can also be scheduled. Visit www.tax.ny.gov/tap.
| | 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 the following week’s issues. | | | | |
