June 1, 2026

Coffee Break is on an every-other-week schedule through the summer.

Please send announcements to newsletter@sage.edu by the end of the day

Wednesday, June 10, to appear in the June 15 issue.

What’s New

Congratulations to Russell Sage’s Workforce Challenge team!

In the News and Around the Web

Expressive Arts in Mental grad Emilie DeGroff ’26 and Assistant Director of Facilities Wil Charbonneau spoke to Spectrum News about mental health for first responders.

A commencement photo gallery appeared in the Times Union.

President Shaftel and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences President Toyin Tofade were among the 2026 Trailblazers in Higher Education recognized by City & State media. 

The Times Union, News10, NewsChannel 13, Spectrum News, WAMC and WGY reported that the New York State Board of Regents approved the merger between Russell Sage College and ACPHS, which will create Russell Sage University. (We'll start using the new name in summer 2027 after final approval of the merger).

Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and founder of the Criminal Investigation Resource Center Christina Lane was quoted in an A&E Crime and Investigation story about the use of familial DNA to advance cold cases. Earlier this year, she shared her expertise in stalking investigations with the network.

Baseball pitcher Evan Grimes has earned two opportunities to pitch in front of professional scouts this summer. The news was also reported in the Daily Gazette, Troy Record, and Saratogian.

Summer Update from the Gator Claws-it

The Gator-Claws-It, a one-stop-shop for free nonperishable food and other essential needs, has summer hours to share.

If you are in contact with students over the summer, please share Gator Claws-it updates with any students who may inquire:

🐊 Albany Campus: Open all summer.

🐊 Troy Campus: Limited inventory over the summer months.

The Troy location is scheduled to be restocked and back in operation around August 12. Thank you for helping to keep students informed and supported this summer!

From the EAP: Find resources for Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month and money-saving tips in the June EAP newsletter [PDF].

Way to Go!

On May 15, the Educational Leadership program celebrated its graduates at its annual doctoral hooding ceremony in Bush Memorial on the Troy campus. “There were 44 graduates from Long Island, NYC, and Albany cohorts, and we are super proud of them! ” said Francesca Durand, chair of Educational Leadership programs.

More Honors for Baseball and Softball

D3baseball.com named baseball head coach Matt Marsh Region III Coach of the Year. Evan Grimes was selected a first-team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association and D3baseball.com, and was also named the ABCA’s Regional Player of the Year — one of five Gators to earn ABCA honors. In softball, five student-athletes were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.

Wall of Wins

“A huge thank you to Matthew Decker in Public Safety! We truly appreciate your professionalism and the friendly, ‘can-do’ attitude you bring to every request. Thank you for always being there to assist us!”

-Sheri Spraker, Executive Assistant to the VP for Advancement

“Sean Fitzgerald, IT technician, thanks a million for your patience with all our recent IT issues! We truly appreciate your help getting everything sorted out!” -All your friends at 92 1st Street (Advancement)

“Thank you to Baseball Coach Matt Marsh for hopping on to do some play-by-play analysis at the NCAA Regional Finals. His half-inning ended up lasting five innings and his insight really added to the quality of the broadcast.”

“Thank you, Assistant Provosts Kirk Robinson and Pete Stapleton for all of your work preparing for May College! It was fabulous!”

“A massive THANK YOU to Jay Newell, General Maintenance, Facilities Department, for always making things happen! We know we’re constantly asking for miracles on a tight ‘ASAP’ timeline, but you never miss a beat. We truly appreciate your willingness to go the extra mile every single time. Gratefully, all your friends at 90 and 92 1st Street!”

Please help us keep the Wall of Wins going strong this summer! Shout out a colleague or share your own achievements today!

Publications from Harvey Strum

Four articles by History professor Harvey Strum were published in the first two weeks of May: “Foreign Policy, Factionalism, and Chaos in New York Politics, 1790-1815,” “New York and the Anglo-American Conflict, 1809,” and “Terror at the Shul: Antisemitism,” all appeared in New International Virtual Association online publications. The Rev published “Antisemitism Was Born Anew,” an essay on American antisemitism between 1921 and 2025 with some family information, in its online edition.

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

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.

June 18 on Proudly Sage — Positive Education: Transforming Teacher Training

On June 18 at 7 p.m., learn how Russell Sage is integrating Positive Education into the academic programs at the Esteves School of Education, and how this approach can benefit future educators and their students.

Register for the June 18 webinar, part of the Proudly Sage series.

Laurel Petersen Solo Show: Laurel Petersen, office coordinator in Nutrition Science and an Art + Extended Media student, has an exhibition of 40 illustrations at the Sand Lake Center for the Arts this month. There will be an artist reception on June 6, 2-4 p.m.

Book Discussion: The Manager Method by Ashley Herd, June 10-July 22. Register for the book group or email hr@sage.edu with questions.

Rensselaer County Sexual Assault Response Team Conference, June 10, Bush Memorial, Troy. Free! Register for the SART conference or email SART@sphp.com for information about continuing education credits.

TIAA on Troy Campus, June 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Cowee Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room. Register for a one-on-one session at tiaa.org/schedulenow.

Keep in Mind

Fitness Center Summer Hours: Albany FitStop is closed through August 23. The Troy Fitness Center will be open Monday-Friday, 3:30-5:30 p.m., June 1-July 31 (closed June 19, July 2-3).

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

Free CDPHP Cycle! Membership: Download the app at www.cdphpcycle.org and use promo code RussellSage.

Find past issues of Coffee Break in the newsletter archive.

For reference:

• Microsite from the compensation committee
• Institutional response to federal issues
• RSC and ACPHS strategic merger FAQs
• How private and public college costs really compare

Thanks for Reading!

Send announcements for the Coffee Break employee newsletter to newsletter@sage.edu by the end of the day Wednesday to appear in the next issue.

The Solutions student newsletter will resume in the fall.

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