Banner titled "COFFEE BREAK" in white text on a green background, featuring a blue coffee cup graphic. Below, a blue section reads "YOUR RUSSELL SAGE COLLEGE EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER" in white text.

September 8, 2026


Submit items for the Coffee Break (employee) or Solutions (student) newsletters to newsletter@sage.edu by the end-of-day Wednesday to be included

in the next issues.

Action Items


☕ Join Coffee Hour, Wednesdays, 9 a.m.: Access the Zoom link and more Coffee Hour resources. This week: learn about the Gator Support Team/GatorCentral.


🩸 Red Cross Blood Drive: Donate blood on Monday, October 19, noon-5 p.m., in the Armory (Albany). Sign up for a donor slot.


🥙 Catering from Capital Eats: Explore options at acphs.catertrax.com or email Emilie.Clements@compass-usa.com.


✳️ Please remind students completing degrees or certificates this term to submit the Graduation Application by Thursday, October 1. Email DegreeClearance@sage.edu with questions.

 

What’s New

 

In the News and Around the Web


President Shaftel spoke to Spectrum News for its special report on the future of higher education (Fast-forward to 2:10 for the Russell Sage highlight.) The segment was broadcast throughout New York state. President Shaftel was also a panelist at Albany High School’s Albany Talent & Workforce Roundtable.


Nutrition Professor Theresa DeLorenzo spoke to Verywell Health about Medjool

dates and digestion.


Occupational Therapy students and faculty volunteered in Belize with Therapy Abroad this August. Check out their photos on Therapy Abroad’s Instagram!

Green circular logo with the text "the Rev" in bold, textured lettering.

Students and Employees Invited to Join The Rev Literary Magazine Staff


The Rev literary and creative arts magazine is recruiting for new editorial members. If you are interested in working on a beautiful, glossy, 140-page-long print magazine, curating the works of the community in Albany, Troy, and beyond, email Adjunct Professor Angie Smith at smitha37@sage.edu. 

Smiling nutrition professor in a gray sweater typing on a laptop at a desk in a warmly lit home office

Professor Theresa DeLorenzo featured in EatingWell, Chowhound, and More


Assistant Professor of Nutrition Theresa DeLorenzo is bringing national visibility to Russell Sage. Read more about her media presence, private practice, and sports performance work, and how it helps her create a richer classroom experience for her students.

Call for Art: Healing and Hope Exhibit,

Out of the Darkness Walk 


Employees and students are invited to submit artwork reflecting their interpretation of healing and hope for the Art for Healing and Hope exhibit at Rathbone Gallery (Albany). The exhibit is in conjunction with the Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk later this month. Deliver display-ready art to Professor Tracy Gilbert in the Art and Design Building in Albany, Faculty Suites 306B, by Friday, September 11. Contact gilbet@sage.edu or wilsoj14@sage.edu with questions. 

 

Way to Go!

 
Green crocodile-pattern graphic asking, “Asking our Gators: How was your first week of classes?” with a cartoon alligator mascot in the lower-left corner.

Wall of Wins


💚 Social and Digital Media Specialist Kaseem Gomez asked some Gators how their first week went, and their answers were pure Wall of Wins material! Beyond friends, athletics, and events, students raved over and over about professors. (Also receiving a very practical shoutout was the Canvas app!): Watch on Instagram.


More Wins:


🏅“A huge thank you to Facilities for keeping us safe and repairing the sidewalk and parking lot at The Aphasia Center!” -Julie Hart and Emily Mooney


🏆 “A huge shout out to Solutions, Payroll, Financial Aid, HR, student supervisors, and the Career Center for processing student employee paperwork quickly! Your teamwork is so valuable helping students and our Russell Sage College community thrive with positions filled on-campus! THANK YOU!” -Carleen Pallante, Career and Self-Discovery Center


Please visit the Wall of Wins to recognize a colleague’s hard work, or to share a recent accomplishment of your own!

 

Things to Do

 

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.

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This Week at Opalka Gallery

Albany campus


Light and Transient Causes Reception,

Beer Garden #2

Friday, September 11, 6-9 p.m.


Read about the exhibit and events.


View the Beer Garden schedule.

Two smiling women, one with braids and glasses, the other with long blonde hair, stand outdoors in white t-shirts that say “The Moving Message” and “WORDS MATTER.” The background features a community event with people mingling.

The Moving Message Walk and Festival

Saturday, September 12, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Albany campus


Join the Aphasia Center at Russell Sage to support individuals with neurogenic communication disorders. The Moving Message features a 1-mile walk, vendors, food, music, motivational speeches, and more.

Poster with a soccer ball, colorful paint splashes, and the text “FUTBOL Y FIESTA” promoting a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.

Futbol y Fiesta

Saturday, September 12, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

ACPHS Soccer Field, Albany


This Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration,

an ACPHS X Russell Sage collaboration, kicks off with a live DJ, followed by Russell Sage soccer game, halftime kids’ game, and post-game food from El Rey Mexitalia. Plus, a free youth soccer clinic with the Sage team, and dance lessons by Leo Cato.

Strong Through Every Mile

5K Training Program 

Begins September 14


Strong Through Every Mile (STEM) is a free, couch-to-5K training program for survivors of interpersonal abuse (including emotional abuse, stalking, sexual assault, etc.) 


The in-person, nine-week program kicks off on September 14. You’ll train for a 5K alongside trained volunteer coaches, and receive free running shoes, a t-shirt, 5K entry, and finisher’s medal. Two locations to choose from. Fill out the STEM info session registration form or email Jenn Gish at gishj@sage.edu to receive more details about the program.

A colorful graphic promoting Russell Sage College’s Visual & Performing Arts program, featuring text that reads, "MEET US AT THE INTERSECTION OF CREATIVITY AND CAREER."

Proudly Sage Webinar

Thursday, September 17, 7 p.m.


This month’s guests are from the visual and performing arts academic programs, Opalka Gallery, and the Theatre Institute at Russell Sage. 


Register for this Proudly Sage webinar.

Fitness Classes


More Classes in Troy


Sign up for Dance Fitness: Mondays, 5 p.m., Robison Gym

Sign up for Flexibility and Mobility, Tuesdays, 5 p.m., McKinstry 206

Sign up for Mat Pilates: Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m., McKinstry 206

Sign up for Zumba: Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m., Robison Gym


Classes in Albany


Sign up for Yoga: Mondays, noon, Science 101

More From Rec and Fitness


Student/Employee Pickleball League:

Find out more, then sign up for pickleball!


Join Sage’s NAMI Walk Team: Rec and Fitness is forming a team for the National Alliance on Mental Illness Walk, Saturday, October 3, 10 a.m., in Albany’s Washington Park. Visit the sign-up link for Sage’s team or email Joseph Michaud for more info.

 

Keep in Mind

 

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


Campus Dining: Find employee meal plan info, menus, and more on the Dine On Campus website.


Find high-quality video content for your courses: The library’s Kanopy subscription offers free access to tens of thousands of streaming titles across academic disciplines. Sign up for your Kanopy account.


Tuition Exchange: If you have a child entering college in fall 2027, now is the time to sign up for Tuition Exchange. Visit www.tuitionexchange.org for information. Email hr@sage.edu with questions.


Free CDTA Bus Passes: Full-time faculty and employees have access to free CDTA transportation with the CDTA Navigator app. See IT’s Navigator App Guide.


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.


Access the student newsletter at Sage.edu/solutions.


For reference:


 

Have a Great Week!

 

Send announcements for the Coffee Break employee newsletter and Solutions student newsletter to newsletter@sage.edu.

 

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