Coffee Break Newsletter Masthead

March 31, 2025


🐊 Have news to share? We'd love to know about it! 🐊


✨ Sign up now for the CDPHP Workforce Challenge ✨

Email Joe Michaud for "Couch to Workforce Challenge" training info.

☕ Coffee Hour, April 2: Zoom in to Coffee Hour Wednesdays at 9 a.m. to learn the process for documenting a charge of academic misconduct and hear CARE team reminders with guests from Student Life and Residence Life.


Save the Zoom link to your calendar; find recordings of previous Coffee Hours; see the Coffee Hour schedule or sign up to present

 

What's New

 

NEW! Bachelor’s in Speech-Language Pathology: Visit the Speech-Language Pathology page on Sage.edu. If you're interested in learning more, email David DeBonis or email Jack Pickering.

April is MENA Heritage Month on a green postage stamp background
Graphic for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month featuring bold text over a large red flower against a turquoise backdrop with a flower pattern

Events Celebrate Middle Eastern and North African Heritage Month, 

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month


April is Middle Eastern and North African Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of individuals from the Middle East and North Africa. This month, the college community will also acknowledge Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which is traditionally celebrated in May. We're kicking off this celebration early, giving us a chance to honor the contributions, achievements, and cultural heritage of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders before the semester ends. 


🌍 🌏 Heritage month events are marked with a globe, in the "Events" section. 

Classroom with a teacher and students interacting with a person on a video call
A cartoon of diverse people holding a sign that reads THANK YOU SAM surrounded by balloons

Author Jerry Craft Zooms with Art Therapy Students — And Sends Gifts!


This is cool! Two sections of Assistant Professor Tracy Gilbert's Intro to Art Therapy class read the book New Kid by Jerry Craft. Professor Gilbert reached out to Mr. Craft to say how much the book had meant, and included a comment from student Sam Riebel. Mr. Craft offered to Zoom with the class, sent the personalized image above to Sam, and nine lucky students received copies of Class Act, the sequel to New Kid!


Learn more about the class’s conversation with Jerry Craft — covering art, mental health, and creative inspiration — in this Q&A with Sam Riebel.

Blurred image of a sunlit outdoor crowd with a person in glasses in the foreground.

Out of the Darkness Walks on Nearby Campuses


The Russell Sage College community is invited to Out of the Darkness Walks at RPI and the University at Albany. These events support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's work: 



If you or someone you know is in a crisis, help is available by calling or texting the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.


Visit the college's Wellness Center webpage for additional information about mental health resources for students and employees.

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month


🔷 National Day of Action to kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month is April 1. Wear teal and stop by tables in KCC on the Albany campus and Buchman in Troy, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.


🔷 Information tables will also be present at the colleges's Earth Day celebrations on Thursday, April 17 in Troy and Tuesday, April 22 in Albany. 


🔷 Submit artwork for Art from the Heart, sponsored by St. Peter's Crime Victim Services: Submissions are due April 7, and a reception will be at the Arts Center of the Capital Region in Troy on April 17.


🔷 More events are listed below in the "Events" section. Email Title IX Coordinator and EEO Specialist Amanda Bastiani for more information.

A group of people in a park posing for a community cleanup event wearing CleanUp shirts

Volunteer Opportunity: Give Back, Enjoy the Outdoors, and Score Free Stuff!


Consider joining Albany’s Earth Day Clean-Up on Monday, April 22! You'll receive:


  • Lunch from Coulson’s News and Deli
  • A drink voucher courtesy of Nine Pin Cider (21+), while supplies last
  • A t-shirt from the Department of General Services


It’s a great chance to help the environment, meet people, and add a meaningful experience to your résumé.


Find out more and sign up for Albany’s Earth Day Clean-Up.

Alumna in Leadership Role at Gerber


Nutrition Science Graduate Meghan Dillon ’18 recently joined baby food brand Gerber, where she ensures the regulatory compliance of Gerber’s snack products. Learn more about Dillon's work in a Q&A on Sage.edu.

 

Way to Go!

 
Two women stand together and smile with flags and a screen with a PowerPoint presentation visible in the background

Balqees Sayed '20 (left), program manager for the Bureau of Refugee Services, and Professor Glenda Kelman, chair of nursing, were among the panelists for a Albany County Legislative Women's History Month event, "Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations," earlier this month.

Wall of Wins, Going Strong!


"Big shoutout to our new housekeeper Mia Long in McKinstry! Her efforts in keeping the high-volume space clean has been a tremendous help! Thank you for all of your hard work!" -Joe Michaud in Recreation and Fitness


"Thank you so much to Marcie Falquez in the library for always being willing to help with anything!" -Mav Douglas in Interdisciplinary Studies


"Thank you, Professor of Biology Mary Rea, our honorary OT, for participating and encouraging her entire class to attend the Pi Theta Epsilon [OT Honor Society] Skills Day hosted by the first and second-year OT students."


"A big shout out to Sarah Brockway, the interim OT program director, for all of her hard work and dedication to the department and college."


Please continue to share the everyday victories that make the Russell Sage College community exceptional: Wall/Google Doc of Wins.

Logo featuring blue and green silhouettes of runners with the text Carnival Color Blast Fun Run Walk

Art + Design Students' Work Featured on Color Blast Run/Walk Promotions


Student Laura Rosenthal's design will be featured on the Carnival Color Blast Fun Run/Walk t-shirts, and Emma Burnett's design was chosen for an event-day flyer. They are both students in Rhianna Hogan-Cerro's Graphic Design III. Director of Recreation and Fitness Joe Michaud worked with class on collateral for the run/walk.


The Carnival Color Blast Fun Run/Walk is Friday, May 2, on the Albany campus: Sign up for the 3.2 mile run/walk or sign up to volunteer for the run/walk.

 

HR Corner

 

From HR: The Latest in Sleep Science Webinar


Explore what happens to the mind and body during sleep, why it's important to get age-appropriate rest, and how sleep impacts health and well-being. Sleep disorders, disrupted sleep, and sleep schedules are discussed. Log in to www.theEAP.com to access this webinar and related resources.

Job Opportunities


Accounts Payable Associate

HVAC Technician

 

Events

 
Musicians performing with drums and keyboard indoors with colorful art in the background

Events this week include a performance by Jordan Taylor Hill and Friends at Opalka Gallery, Albany, on Friday. Performance is free, but please register.

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 your event to The Chomp first, then email the details to newsletter@sage.edu.

Tuesday, April 1



✨ Open Discussion with Chaplain Darren Gundrum, noon, Buchman, Troy

Thursday, April 3


🧘Yoga, led by Carrie Will of Yoga Care, 6 p.m., Opalka Gallery, Albany. Pay what you can.

Friday, April 4


📖 Poetry Reading and Workshop with Rage Hezekiah, 11 a.m., Zoom. Learn more about Hezekiah and register.


🌍 Community Dinner: 6 p.m., Spirituality Center, Troy. Learn about the Muslim faith, MENA month, and Dubai chocolate. Enjoy traditional Arab music and dancing. Dinner provided, but you may bring a dish for the potluck.


🪘 First Friday performance by Jordan Taylor Hill and Friends, 6:30 p.m., Opalka Gallery, Albany. Performance is free, but please register to reserve your spot.

Thursday, April 17


👠Career Closet Fashion Show, 4 p.m., at Opalka Gallery, Albany. Food, music, and Career Closet styling!

Thursday, April 24


💲Meet with a TIAA Financial Consultant, 9 a.m-4 p.m., Cowee third floor conference room, Troy. Register at tiaa.org/schedulenow or call 800-732-8353.

Friday, May 2


🎇The Carnival Color Blast Fun Run/Walk, Albany Campus:

👟 Sign up for the 3.2 mile run/walk

👟 Sign up to volunteer for the run/walk

Thursday, May 15


👟 CDPHP Workforce Challenge, 6:25 p.m., Empire State Plaza, Albany

Sign up now for the CDPHP Workforce Challenge: It says it costs $30, but keep going and you'll see it is only $5 for Russell Sage.


Email Joe Michaud for "Couch to Workforce Challenge" training info!

Ongoing


🟢 Osi Audu: The Self in African Art, through April 19, Opalka Gallery, Albany. See the list of upcoming Opalka events.


🏋🏽‍♀️ Free Online Fitness Classes: Log in at BODi/Beachbody on Demand with

Username: Recreation@sage.edu and Password: Thrive2020


Coming Soon


🔷 Healing Harms Restoring Community full day event, April 16, Albany campus.


🔷 Take Back the Night: Thursday, April 24, Washington Park Lakehouse, Albany, 5 p.m. Wear RSC or Gator gear!


🌍 Perfume Workshop: Details coming soon about this make-your-own perfume event, celebrating perfumes of the Middle East, North Africa, and AAPI cultures. 


🌏 Kimchi Workshop: Details coming soon about this chance to make your own kimchi and learn about its cultural significance and health benefits.

 

Reminders

 

Wellness and Support Benefits


🌱 Counseling and other resources: Support services are available to employees through the Employee Assistance Program. Log in at www.theeap.com/higher-education-eap or call 800-252-4555.


 🌱 Talkspace Go: Check out this PDF with March’s schedule of Talkspace Go classes, available via the Talkspace Go app. Download the app for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play, then create an account with code ESIEAP.


 🌱 More wellness resources at the CDPHP Health Hub.

Advocate for student aid: Visit the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities' Action Center. The New York State budget deadline is April 1.


Open Educational Resources grant: Read about the OER grant. Applications are due by April 22.


For reference: Institutional Response to Federal Issues


Moodle help: Schedule your session with Sage Online via the Training Request Form, or by calling 518-244-4580 or emailing sageonline@sage.edu. 


Discount for Summer on Stage Camp: Get a $100 discount on camp with promo code SAGE100. Find a Summer on Stage registration link and more info.


Childcare discounts: Kreative Kids Early Childhood Program has a partnership with the Esteves School of Education and offers special pricing to the RSC community.


Read Solutions: The Newsletter for students: Recent issues are available at Sage.edu/Solutions (scroll to the bottom.)

Upcoming Deadlines



Click on the button below to send us an email. Please use the same deadlines and email address to submit announcements to Coffee Break for employees and Solutions: The Newsletter for students.


Please send your news by 5 p.m. April 2 for the April 7 issue.


Please send your news by 5 p.m. April 9 for the April 14 issue.


Please send your news by 5 p.m. April 16 for the April 21 issue.


Please send your news by 5 p.m. April 23 for the April 28 issue.

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