Coffee Break Newsletter Masthead

April 27, 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.

Strategic Merger: A recap of the April 24, 2026 merger forum is available on the merger website.

Do you know a graduating student with an inspiring story, who might be willing to let the college share their story to promote commencement? If so, please email gallae@sage.edu in the Marketing and Communications office.

Faculty Accolades: To have achievements included in this year’s announcement from the provost’s office, please complete the Faculty Accolades form by May 8. 

Two people holding a certificate at a Russell Sage College event standing near a podium

Dean Andrea Rehn presents Professor Tonya Moutray with the Susan Warren Beatty Faculty Research Award for Excellence in Research at last year’s Honors Convocation.

No Coffee Hour This Week: See you at Undergraduate Research Day and

Honors Convocation Instead!


Undergraduate Research Day is this Wednesday, April 29. This celebration of research and creativity is on the Albany campus, and lunch is provided: View the Research Day schedule.


At noon, stop by the Armory’s Renaissance Room (324) for The Rev Magazine Launch Party: RSVP for The Rev Launch Party.


The day concludes with Honors Convocation at 3:30 p.m. in the Armory, recognizing this year’s Valedictorian and Salutatorian, as well as students and faculty who have demonstrated outstanding achievement.

5 Reasons You Should Sign Up for the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge


The CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge is 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 (Thrive@ Russell Sage will cover the rest!)


If you aren't familiar with this event, employees at companies and organizations from throughout the Capital Region participate. You don't have to be a runner to take part. Lots of people walk the course, and it's a great way to see Albany on foot!


Worried about parking? A group of us walk to the starting line from the Albany campus. Or, you can see Kathy McLaughlin and Mary Beth Cusack to learn about all the secret parking spots.


Here are five reasons you should participate:

  1. Who doesn't want to pick up an extra 8,000 steps?
  2. The team t-shirt will be a collector's item for years to come. (See photo above.)
  3. Siena and RPI always have large teams, and Sage was an early adopter nationally in the concept of health-promoting campuses. So we've got a reputation to maintain.
  4. You get a second Workforce Team Challenge t-shirt and snacks after you cross the finish line.
  5. You get to know your campus colleagues better by participating, and we're a fascinating bunch of people, if we do say so ourselves.


Register for the Workforce Challenge if only for the t-shirt.

Registering for summer or fall classes? Fill out HR’s tuition waiver form.

 

What’s New

 

Recreation and Fitness Wants

Your Feedback!


Please complete the Rec and Fitness End-of-Year Survey! It should only take a few minutes to complete and every response will contribute to planning for the upcoming academic year.


Thank you in advance!

In the News


An Albany Business Review article highlighted President Matthew Shaftel’s message to students and families about the enduring value of a college education (subscription required).


Professor of Psychology Gayle Morse was quoted in a Croakey Health Media (Australia) article on the strength and restorative nature of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership.


Mary Lyall, whose daughter has been missing since 1998, has worked with the Criminal Investigation Resource Center at Russell Sage as part of her advocacy for families of missing persons. She mentioned the college in a recent interview on WAMC Northeast Public Radio and also spoke with the Times Union in a separate interview conducted on the Albany campus.

Person standing in front of a baseball field, wearing a Detroit Tigers hoodie and sunglasses, with a scoreboard in the background.

DPT Alumni Secure Placements in the

MLB and NHL


Read a Q&A with Arthur Wayne Baker Jr., (pictured) an Upper Extremity Fellow at Memorial Hermann Rockets Sports Medicine Institute in Houston, who was a PT with Major League Baseball’s Detroit Tigers during spring training.


We previously shared that DPT grad and Adjunct Professor Taylor Dorado will soon begin a Sports Physical Therapy Residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a clinical placement with the NHL’s Dallas Stars — now read a Q&A with Taylor Dorado.

 

Way to Go!

 
A man wearing a gray shirt and sunglasses talks to someone off-screen

Sage Men’s Golf Earns Program-Best Finish, Empire 8 Honors


Russell Sage College’s Men’s Golf Team claimed second place at the Empire 8 Championships, the best finish at the event in program history. Three golfers earn All-E8 honors and Head Coach Kevin Cain was voted the Empire 8 Conference Coach of the Year. Read more about the team’s E8 honors.

Wall of Wins


“A HUGE thank you to Marly Keenan and Mike Rossman from College Services. They were able to adjust the Honors Convocation certificates to fit perfectly into the folders. Their willingness to always help is truly appreciated!” -Mary Beth Cusack, administrative coordinator and assistant to the undergraduate dean


“A huge shout out to our Admissions team for an awesome Accepted Student Day! The energy throughout the whole day was incredible. The teamwork, enthusiasm, and dedication truly made the day special for our future gators and their families! 🎉”


“I attended Accepted Student Day with my daughter, an incoming first-year student, and we were so impressed with the full day of engaging activities highlighting academic and recreational student life at RSC. It was apparent that so much work went into making the day a fun and informative experience. Shout out to all my colleagues.” -Pam S. at the Wellness Center 


Shout out your or a colleague’s wins, big or small, on the Wall of Wins!

Do you have news to share? Send it to newsletter@sage.edu.

 

HR Corner

 

Find resources to prioritize your mental well-being in the May EAP newsletter.

NEW WEBINAR: Increasing Emotional Awareness, Friday, May 8, 12:30 p.m. Learn more about the Emotional Awareness webinar. 

Previously Announced HR Events:


  • Fail Out Loud: Learn how to trade perfection for the flexibility to grow on April 28, 11:30 a.m., in Bush Memorial, Troy. Register for Fail Out Loud.


  • 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.

Tuition Exchange: Applications for fall 2027 open July 1. Find webinars about Tuition Exchange.

 

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!


Have an event to promote? Add your event to The Chomp, then email the details to newsletter@sage.edu.

Carnival Color Blast Fun Run/Walk:

Participate in the Event or Volunteer

Friday, May 1, check-in 4:45 p.m.,

race start 5:15 p.m., Albany campus


Celebrate the end of the semester with a colorful run or walk around the Albany campus. Open to students and employees. Register for the Fun Run/Walk or sign up to volunteer.

Pink psychedelic text that says Visual arts BFA exhibition on a dark green background

Annual BFA Exhibition Opening Reception

Friday, May 1, 5-7 p.m.,

Opalka Gallery, Albany


The annual BFA Exhibition features student work from the Art + Extended Media, Graphic + Media Design, and Interior + Spatial Design programs and runs from April 29 through May 16. Special gallery hours during exhibit: Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.

Emblem for "518 Day 5.18K Road Race" featuring skyline and legs in motion

Start Commencement Day with a 5.18K


Kick off commencement day with this community celebration of the 518.


Register for the 5.18K Road Race on May 16.



 

Keep in Mind

 

Access past issues of IT’s newsletter in the Sage Guard Newsletter repository.

bike on sidewalk

Free CDPHP Cycle! Membership + Community Bike Rides


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.

Children in tie-dye shirts on stage and pointing with a colorful mural backdrop.

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.

Green square with words Thrive at Russell Sage

Take a Break with the Wellness Center


🌿 Book the massage chair in Albany


🌿 Book the massage chair in Troy


🌿 Purchase health essentials, including contraceptives, pain relief, menstrual care, and basic first aid at the Troy Wellness Center’s vending machine.


Find past issues of Coffee Break in the newsletter archive.

For reference:



 

Thanks for Reading!

 

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.

 

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