Coffee Break Newsletter Masthead

February 16, 2026


Send announcements for the Coffee Break (employee) or Solutions (student) newsletters to newsletter@sage.edu by end of day Wednesday to appear in next week’s issues.

Join Coffee Hour Wednesday, February 18, 9 a.m. for an update from the Admissions team. Find the Zoom link and more Coffee Hour resources or contact the team at innovation@sage.edu.

Helpful Reminders:


  • Graduate Assistant requests due March 6: To request a GA for 2026-2027, please fill out the GA Request form, even if you have been awarded positions in the past.



 

What’s New

 

Watch Professor Christina Lane of the Criminal Investigation Resource Center

at a news conference in Elmira, New York, where police announced they solved a 1964 murder with support from CIRC. Lane’s remarks begin at 15:22.

Sage’s Criminal Investigation Resource Center Credited by for Its Part in

Solving 1964 Homicide


Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Christina Lane and her students keep doing incredible work and making news. On February 10, Lane spoke at a news conference in Elmira, New York where police announced that they’d solved a 1964 murder of 12-year-old Mary Theresa Simpson. This was yet another case that Sage’s Criminal Investigation Resource Center worked on. Local, state, and national news sites wrote about the case, and Russell Sage is mentioned in every one: 


Russell Sage College students help solve 61-year-old cold case (Times Union)


Elmira Police reveal suspect in Mary Theresa Simpson murder case

(Yahoo News, News Nation)


Russell Sage College helped solve 1964 cold case (WTEN)


Elmira Police: Breakthrough in 1964 Mary Theresa Simpson Cold Case

(WENY, ABC and CBS affiliate in Elmira, New York)


Deceased Elmira man sole suspect in nearly 62-year-old cold case

(WSKG Public Radio)


Elmira Police Close 61-Year-Old Cold Homicide Case (Finger Lakes Daily News)


Elmira Police names suspect in 1964 murder

(My Hometown Today - Radigan Media)


Criminal Investigation Resource Center Partners With Elmira Police

Department on 1964 Homicide Case (Sage.edu)


Russell Sage’s involvement in the case was also mentioned locally on WNYT Newschannel 13 and on Spectrum News stations in Central New York.

Close-up portrait of a person with braided hair in front of a bookshelf

Grant Supports Professor Obuya’s Work to Help Nursing Students Succeed 


A new grant is helping Russell Sage faculty strengthen how prerequisite courses prepare nursing students for what comes next. Led by

Associate Professor of Chemistry Emilly Obuya, the project focuses on making key skills clearer, more connected, and easier to recognize across classes. Read about the project on Sage.edu.

A person speaking into a microphone at a table, with a glass water bottle and papers in front of them

Professor Ali Schaeffing on National Webinar


Assistant Professor Ali Schaeffing, Director of Service Learning and Community Engagement, will be a guest on a national webinar hosted by the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration and Every Campus a Refuge on Wednesday, February 25, at noon. Learn more and register for the webinar.

Rolled-up blue yoga mat on a pink background with a white water bottle

New Mat Pilates Class Tuesdays in Troy


Recreation and Fitness has added a free mat Pilates class on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. in McKinstry 206 (Troy).


Sign up for Pilates


Scroll to the Events section for the full group fitness schedule.

 

Way to Go!

 

💖 Share Hearts and High-Fives on the Wall of Wins


Celebrate your February victories on the Wall of Wins:


“A huge thank you to Kevin Blais in Facilities for coming to the rescue with our sound system! Even going to buy us a part on his lunch break! We very much appreciate your helpfulness and A/V knowledge!” - Assistant Director of Facilities Sara D’Aversa and for Space Planning and Design and Director of Conferences & Events Jody Diedrich

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

 

Tech Check From IT

 

MFA Support Now by Appointment


The IT department will assist with multi-factor authentication-related issues by scheduled appointment. This change helps ensure timely, focused support while minimizing wait times.


📅 Why appointments? Scheduling means less waiting and more one-on-one help at a time that works for you and IT’s tech team.


🕘 Appointment times: Monday-Friday during regular business hours, with

limited evening availability from 6-7 p.m. Book your MFA Help Appointment.


⏱️ What to expect:

  • Most MFA resets take five-10 minutes
  • Bring a valid photo ID (employee ID, driver’s license, etc.)
  • Have both your phone and computer ready to complete the reset quickly.

Check your email for the first Security Awareness Training for 2026. Please complete it by March 13.

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

 

HR Corner

 
A graphic with a red heart inside a white circle and the words American Heart Month below

HR Shares Reminders from the Heart Association for American Heart Month


HR passes along these tips from the American Heart Association: aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, include weight training, and take breaks from sitting when you can. Healthy ways to manage stress — like exercise, meditation, balanced nutrition, and limiting alcohol or tobacco — support heart health. Learn more from the AHA’s physical activity and stress management pages.

From HR: Upcoming Learning Opportunities


Sign up for CPR and First Aid Training

Wednesday, February 18, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Bush Memorial, Troy


Register for Home Buying 101 with Broadview Federal Credit Union.

February 23, noon, online


Register for Heart Health in Women: How Metabolic and Kidney Health Affect Your Heart from CDPHP and Ovia Health. February 26, noon, online


Register for Covered and Cared for: Navigating Leave Benefits

TWO DATES: March 4, noon and March 5, 3 p.m., online


Sign up for Mental Health First Aid: This is a blended course with a two-hour, self-paced online portion to be completed before the in-person training. Lunch provided. Wednesday, March 11, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Cowee IV Classroom, Troy

 

Events

 

Basketball vs. Hartwick

Tuesday, February 17

Women, 5:30 p.m.; Men, 7:30 p.m.

Kahl Campus Center (Albany) 


Admission to home athletic events is free! Come out and support student-athletes.

While We're Talking Basketball ... Come Watch the Men's Team in the E8 Conference Quarterfinals on Saturday


The men's basketball team has earned hosting rights for their quarterfinals match-up on Saturday, February 21 (time still to be determined). Plan to head to Kahl Campus Center (Albany) to pack the stands!


The women's team has also qualified for the E8 Conference quarterfinals, but the location of their game is to be determined this week.

sale_tags_re.jpg

Student Appreciation Day at

Albany and Troy Bookstores 

Thursday, February 19


20% off clothing and gifts. Some exclusions apply. See stores for details. Plus, take 20% off white cloth lab coats through February 20. Faculty and staff are appreciated too, and can take advantage of the sale! Shop in store and online at thebookstorealbanyny.com or shopsagetroy.com.

A woman is presenting to a group in a conference room with a screen behind with text about leadership

An Intergenerational Approach to

Women’s Leadership

February 19, 7 p.m., online


Learn how the Denise Taber Finard ’80 Women’s Institute builds leaders and hear about upcoming professional development opportunities.


Register for the February 19 webinar, part of the Proudly Sage series.

Barbara Todd: Undoings

Opalka Gallery, Albany campus


Coming Up: Supper Club dinner with the artist, Saturday, February 28, 6:30 p.m. Purchase Supper Club tickets; Opalka members, email Amy Griffin for discounted tickets.


Listen to the Art Town podcast’s interview with Barbara Todd, see the digital guide and view more exhibit events.

WEEKLY EVENTS


MONDAYS


Register for Hot Yoga: 7:30 a.m., Albany, Science 101


Register for Dance Fitness: 5 p.m., Troy, Robison Gym


TUESDAYS


✨JUST ADDED! Register for Pilates, 9:30 a.m., Troy, McKinstry 206


Open Discussion with College Chaplain: Tuesdays, noon, Buchman, Troy 

Bring thoughts, interests, concerns, or listen and enjoy the company.


Register for Yoga: 5:15 p.m., Troy, McKinstry 206


WEDNESDAYS


Register for Zumba Fitness: 5:30 p.m., Troy, Robison Gym


FRIDAYS


Register for Flexibility and Mobility, noon-1 p.m., Troy, McKinstry 206

 

Keep in Mind

 

Free Fitness and Nutrition Consultations


The Recreation and Fitness Department is offering personalized support to help you move and eat well. To make an appointment or ask questions, email Joe Michaud.


Fitness Consultations — McKinstry Fitness Center, Troy

Meet with Certified Personal Trainer Bila Bonifacio. Appointments available:


👟Monday: 2-6 p.m.

👟Wednesday: 1-4 p.m.

👟Friday: noon-3 p.m.


Nutrition Consultations — FitStop, Albany Armory

Walk in or make an appointment to meet with Nutrition graduate student RJ Burkitt for information (not guidance from a Registered Dietitian; Registered Dietitian education in progress).


🍏Mondays: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

🍏 Tuesdays: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

🍏Thursdays: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

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.


Free tax help at Troy Public Library, across Second Street from the Troy campus, Thursdays, through April 9. Walk-ins welcome; appointments can also be scheduled. Visit www.tax.ny.gov/tap.

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 on Wednesday to appear in the following week’s issues.

 

View as Webpage

 
Facebook  Instagram