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October 20, 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.
| | ⚠️ NEXT WEEK: Disaster Drills Scheduled: The Nursing department will conduct disaster drills on Tuesday, October 28, Wednesday, October 29, and Friday, October 31 in Troy. The drills will take place during the day in Alumnae House and on First Street outside of Alumnae House. These practice drills include student actors displaying injuries; police and fire departments will also participate.
| | Reminder: National Grid will be doing gas line work on the Troy campus this week. Please be prepared for changing parking and traffic patterns, a shuttle stop change, and noise. An email titled "Temporary Parking, Shuttle Changes on the Troy Campus" from Friday has complete details. | | |
Hey, Faculty, It's Time for PitchingPalooza!
Join Marketing and Communications Friday, October 31, at noon, for an hour-long session where we can generate story ideas together that are pitchable to media. You’ll have an opportunity to promote your department, expertise, and students. Previous brainstorming led to coverage of a nursing service trip, research on electrolyte supplements, and the college's Food Recovery Network. RSVP to Elizabeth Gallagher at gallae@sage.edu. Specific location on the Troy campus to be determined.
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Employees Invited!
Publish Your Creative Work
The Rev literary and creative arts magazine is accepting submissions for its 2026 edition. Photography, drawing, painting, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction accepted through November 21. Submit up to five pieces or email Laurel Petersen at peterl4@sage.edu with questions.
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Science in Action
Senior Biology majors Elizabeth Hoyt (left), Daniel Kagan (center), and Wallace Tonks (right) spent their summers in prestigious research labs. Hoyt investigated blood clots at Rutgers University through an NSF program. Kagan worked in Albany Medical College’s neuroscience lab studying the mTOR gene and its link to seizures. Tonks researched microplastic pollution in the Hudson River at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Read Biology Majors Get Research Experience with Prestigious Labs on Sage.edu.
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Book Sale Next Week
Russell Sage College’s Education Honor Society, Kappa Delta Pi, is holding a book sale next Monday, October 27, 5-7 p.m., in Bush Memorial, Troy.
Find books for all ages for $1–$5, or fill a bag for $10!
| | Rachel Choppa, a member of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2026, spoke to health careers classes at Shaker High School last week. “October is National Physical Therapy Month, and our department is so proud of Rachel’s advocacy for our profession!” said Assistant Professor Sarah Salvatore, who shared the photo. (Rachel is in the back row, eighth from the left, wearing a brown top.) | |
Wall of Wins
"Director of Accessibility Services Tandrea Skinner has been so helpful this semester! She has been such a great resource for me and answers all my questions with a smile! Thank you, Tandrea!"
-Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy Sarah Salvatore
"Thank you Associate Vice President for Student Life Tawana Davis for putting together a relaxing and refreshing Employee Wellness Day on October 14! I loved the relaxation room/massage chair!" - Director of Residence Life Grace Giancola
[Editor's note: Feedback on the massage chairs shared at Coffee Hour last week suggested they deserve their own Wall of Wins entry! To try them out book the massage chair in Albany or book the massage chair in Troy.]
Fresh, blank squares are always available at the Wall/Google Doc of Wins. Please share your wins or celebrate a colleague!
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Stay Cyber-Smart: Spot AI Fraud and Phishing Attempts
Artificial intelligence can write emails, articles, and even fake news stories that look and sound convincing. Unfortunately, cybercriminals use these tools to trick people into clicking malicious links or handing over sensitive information.
Protect yourself and the college community by watching for the warning signs:
🛡️Generic greetings like “Dear Customer” instead of your name
🛡️Unusual tone or text that feels overly polished or unnatural
🛡️Suspicious links — always hover before clicking
🛡️Urgent requests for sensitive data, passwords, or account access
Trust your instincts! If something feels off, pause before you act and report suspicious messages to the IT Service Desk. Now it’s your turn: Can you spot the format fraud?
| | Reminder: Cybersecurity training must be completed by October 31 for staff and faculty, and by November 18 for adjuncts. Finish on time to keep your account access uninterrupted. | | |
Monday, October 20
🪷 Sign up for Yoga Fitness in Albany, Mondays, 8-9 a.m., Kahl Campus Center 224. Classes October 20 through November 17.
💜 Resources for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 12:30-2:30 p.m., KCC dining area, Albany. Meet representatives from Sage's Title IX Office, Albany County Crime Victim & Sexual Violence Center and Equinox.
🪩 Sign up for Dance Fitness, 5 p.m., Robison Gym, Troy
Tuesday, October 21
💬 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
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 22
🔥 Sign up for Zumba Fitness, 5:15 p.m., Robison Gym, Troy
Thursday, October 23
🟢🔷 TIAA Representative One-on-One Meetings, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., West Hall, Albany. RSVP for an on campus meeting with TIAA.
Additional TIAA Dates:
- November 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Cowee 3rd Floor, Troy
- December 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Cowee 3rd Floor, Troy
💜 National Wear Purple Day for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
💜 Resources for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month,11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Buchman, Troy. Meet representatives from Sage's Title IX Office,
St. Peter's Crime Victim Services and Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood.
💭 Intercultural Cafe: Help English learners practice conversation, 4–5:30 p.m., West Hall, Albany. Email Noora Ahmed at ahmedn2@sage.edu for more info.
Saturday, October 25
🎭 Nunsense, Theatre Institute at Sage performances at St. Thomas the Apostle, Delmar. See Nunsense showtimes and purchase tickets.
Sunday, October 26
🎭 Nunsense, Theatre Institute at Sage performances at St. Thomas the Apostle, Delmar. See Nunsense showtimes and purchase tickets.
Tuesday, October 28
💳 Mocktails Networking Event, 4:30-6 p.m., Bush Memorial, Troy. Please encourage students to register for Mocktails and register for the Internship and Volunteer Fair, and attend both. They could win a $100 gift card!
Wednesday, October 29
🟢 Sage Engage, 9 a.m.-2p.m., Albany: A free conference for high school students who want to turn ideas into action. Have a high schooler at home — or know one who loves getting involved? Invite them (and their friends!) Learn more and register for Sage Engage.
Thursday, October 30
✅ Merger Update, 11 a.m., Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Gozzo Student Center, Room 201/202. Zoom available. Register for merger update.
Tuesday, November 4
💳 Internship and volunteer fair, 11 a.m.-2p.m., Armory, Albany. Please encourage students to come, or attend as a class. Students who register for the Internship and Volunteer Fair and register for Mocktails (and attend both!) could win a $100 gift card!
Wednesday, November 5
✅ Merger Update, 4 p.m., Bush Memorial, Troy campus. Zoom available. Register for merger update.
Tuesday, November 18
☕ Coffee and Community with President Shaftel, 9 a.m., Troy campus. Register for Coffee and Community
Thursday, November 20
☕ Serve Albany Brunch: Hosted by local nonprofits (not a Russell Sage event), this monthly brunch highlights community issues. The November 20 topic is Affordable Housing. Find information and sign up for Serve Albany brunch.
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Discover the NYT’s Best Books of the Century: Browse the collection in the library's catalog.
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
Volunteer with Every Campus a Refuge: Fill out the ECAR volunteer interest form if you are available to help individuals and families get settled and find community in the Albany area.
Find past issues of Coffee Break in the newsletter archive.
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. | | | | |
