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May 4, 2026
Next week will be the last issue of Solutions: The Newsletter (students) until the fall semester begins. Coffee Break will switch to an every-other-week schedule after the May 18 issue.
Please send announcements to newsletter@sage.edu by end of day Wednesday to appear in next week’s issues.
| | Faculty Accolades due this week: To have achievements included in this year’s announcement from the provost’s office, please complete the Faculty Accolades form by May 8. | |
Wednesday is the Last Coffee Hour
of the Academic Year; Don't Miss It!
Join Coffee Hour, May 6, 9 a.m., to share good news and camaraderie with colleagues before this awesome hour of community and connection takes a summer break. Thank you, Innovation Committee, for another inspiring and informative Coffee Hour season!
Find the Zoom link and more Coffee Hour resources or contact the Innovation Committee at innovation@sage.edu.
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Join the Employee Pickleball League
The Russell Sage College Employee Pickleball League is back! The league offers a fun way to get moving, enjoy friendly competition, and connect with colleagues. Matches will be held on the Albany campus Versa Court beginning in late May. Beginners welcome.
Find more info and sign up for pickleball.
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CDPHP Workforce Challenge
Registration Closing Soon
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.
| | | | Patricia Timpano Sparrell ’78 | |
St. Peter’s CEO Steven Hanks, M.D., and Former Trustee Chair Patricia Sparrell
to be Honored at Commencement
Russell Sage will celebrate its 109th Commencement on Saturday, May 16, at 1 p.m. at MVP Arena in Albany.
St. Peter’s Health Partners CEO Steven Hanks, M.D., will deliver the address.
The college will award honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees to Hanks and to Patricia Timpano Sparrell ’78. Sparrell is a retired ExxonMobil executive and former chair of the Russell Sage College Board of Trustees whose career, volunteer service, and philanthropy have opened doors for learners at every stage of academic and professional life.
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New Director of Accessibility Services
Danielle Barbaro has joined the college as the Director of Accessibility Services. Danielle brings over 14 years of experience in higher education and expertise in accessibility services, assistive technology, instructional design, and inclusive teaching practices. Most recently, she served as an Alternate Media and Assistive Technology Specialist at Fullerton College, where she supported hundreds of students annually by ensuring accessible course materials and collaborating with faculty to promote Universal Design for Learning and equitable access. Prior to her career in higher education, Danielle served in the U.S. Navy as a sonar technician, leading and training teams and developing strong leadership and problem‑solving skills that continue to inform her work. Originally from upstate New York, Danielle is excited to return to the region and partner with faculty and staff to advance access, equity, and inclusion across the Sage community. Welcome, Danielle!
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Sexual Assault Response Team Conference
Members of the college community are invited to Rensselaer County’s free Sexual Assault Response Team conference on Wednesday, June 10, in Bush Memorial on the Troy campus.
Register for the SART conference or email SART@sphp.com for information about continuing education credits.
| | Professor of Spanish and Associate Director of the Honors Program Kate Kagan shared this photo and message: "The Honors faculty and mentors celebrate our graduating Honors students, recognizing their hard work, curiosity, and commitment. Congratulations and best wishes for the future!" | |
Athlete Accolades
Baseball is ranked 28th in the most recent American Baseball Coaches Association National Poll. Since earning votes for the first time in the March 31 poll, the Gators have steadily increased their vote total. Three Flag Football athletes earned all-conference honors, and Ryan Arp was Empire 8’s Golfer of the Week for the week ending April 26. More at sagegators.com.
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Wall of Wins
“Shout out to Eileen Brownell, interim executive director of the Denise Taber Finard ’80 Women’s Institute, and Jordan Foster, assistant director of undergraduate enrollment management, for their teamwork in recruiting a full class of incoming Denise Taber Finard ’80 Women’s Institute ambassadors. We’ve gone to a waitlist for the fall 2026 cohort!” -Jenn Gish, VP for Marketing and Communications and cabinet liaison to the Women’s Institute
Shout out your or a colleague’s wins, big or small, on the Wall of Wins!
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World Password Day — May 7
May 7 is World Password Day, a perfect reminder to check your passwords and strengthen your digital security. Take a few minutes to update weak or reused passwords, use long passphrases, and enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible. A strong password is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your accounts and data.
| | HR shared this photo with a message of thanks to everyone who attended the Fail Out Loud event on April 28. | |
Upcoming HR Events
Skills for Managing Stress and Supporting Others, Wednesday, May 13, noon, online. Find more information and register for the stress management webinar.
Employee Recognition Event: Thursday, May 21, noon, Armory, Albany
RSVP for the Employee Recognition Event.
TIAA on Troy Campus: One-on-one sessions, May 6 and June 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cowee Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room. Register at tiaa.org/schedulenow.
Book Discussion for Supervisors and Managers: The Manager Method by Ashley Herd. June 10-July 22. Participate in-person or online. Register for the book group or email hr@sage.edu with questions.
| | 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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BFA Exhibition
Through May 16, Opalka Gallery, Albany
The annual BFA Exhibition features student work from the Art + Extended Media, Graphic + Media Design, and Interior + Spatial Design programs.
Special gallery hours during exhibit: Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.
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Free CDPHP Cycle! Membership
Borrow a bike at no cost using the CDPHP Cycle! app and promo code RussellSage.
Enjoy 30 minutes of e-bike riding and unlimited pedal-bike riding every day of the season: www.cdphpcycle.org.
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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.
| | Send announcements for the Coffee Break (employees) or Solutions (students) newsletters to newsletter@sage.edu by the end of the day Wednesday to appear in the following week’s issues. | | | | |
