January 12, 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.

🛑 There's a new stop sign in Troy, at First and Division. Thanks for helping keep everyone safe.

Coffee Hour returns January 28: Find links to the 2026 Coffee Hour schedule and more Coffee Hour resources.

🗓️ Don't forget: J-College will be on Wednesday, January 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Bush Memorial on the Troy campus. See the schedule here (and note the RSVP link at the top of the document). Come at 8 a.m. if you want to enjoy some coffee talk with your colleagues before the programming, which will cover the new strategic plan and topics related to AI.

In Memoriam

Sadly, the college received notices about former faculty members who have died recently. 

Former professor of biology Jack Harris passed away on December 15, 2025. His family suggested memorial contributions to Russell Sage in his obituary.

Former dean of Sage’s graduate programs John Tribble also passed away; we'll share an obituary if it becomes available.

Your Input and Updates

Don’t Forget to Take the Merger Survey



We’re looking to get as much feedback as possible from employees on the merger with Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, so if you haven’t already, please take the 10-question survey, which covers topics that include your feelings around the merger and how you’ve been engaged in the process, as well as what pieces of our Russell Sage identity you hold dear. The survey will close January 16. Students and alumni will also be surveyed in the coming weeks.

While We’re Talking About Surveys: Share Your Feelings on Albany



Because we have a campus in Albany, the new Albany mayor and her administration are urging Sage employees and students to participate in their survey about the city. This survey should take fewer than 20 minutes to complete.

Learn More About the Compensation Study



Updates have been made to the microsite offering information and updates from the compensation committee on its research and work, including how benchmark institutions were selected and FAQs. Be sure to take a look, and look for a community information session in the coming weeks to discuss the progress. You will have to use your Sage log-in credentials to view the site.

Catching Up

MLK Day of Service, January 21, 2026: Save the date! There will be a variety of volunteer options for students and employees, on and off campus in Albany and Troy. More details are coming, but you can also sign up right here, right now! 

Record Enrollment, Endless Accolades, and a Transformative Merger Announcement: Russell Sage College Looks Back on a Thrilling Year

From the largest enrollment in 25 years, to international and national accolades, to the announcement of a historic merger with Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, here's a roundup of the top stories at Sage in 2025.

More Media Mentions

Eileen V. Brownell, interim executive director of the Denise Taber Finard '80 Women's Institute, spoke to the Times Union about how employees and employers can leverage internal mobility.

The TU quoted Christina Lane, associate professor of criminal justice and director of the Criminal Investigation Resource Center, in an article about several cold cases resolved in Albany in 2025, identified as one of the year’s top news developments. 

Pete Stapleton, assistant provost and dean of the Esteves School of Education, was quoted in a TU article about efforts to diversify the teaching profession. 

And Education major Mara Little and Physical Education grad ZaQuan Irby were quoted in What does 6-7 mean?, also in the Times Union.

Watch Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy Leslie Bennett and Occupational Therapy doctoral candidate student Kelsey Terrell discuss the OT program's partnership with Living Resources.

Why an Experienced NP Returned to Sage

Alon Jacobs-Friedman has been caring for patients at Albany Medical Center for more than two decades, first as a registered nurse and now as a Family Nurse Practitioner. After earning his master’s at Russell Sage, he returned for his Doctor of Nursing Practice. Learn what drew him to advanced practice nursing and why Sage’s DNP program was worth the wait.

Women’s Soccer Organizing Clothing Drive

The women’s soccer team is holding a clothing drive. They’ll be collecting new or gently-used clothing from January 12-27 and donating items to local charities. Look for donation boxes in KCC and the Armory in Albany and McKinstry in Troy. Thanks in advance for your generosity and for helping the team make a positive impact!

Way to Go!

New Year, New Wins: Let's celebrate on the Wall of Wins.

Faculty News

Professor of History Harvey Strum shared that on December 18, he delivered a Zoom presentation on “Famine Relief from Maine to Ireland during the Great Hunger” for the Irish American Cultural Institute. Also in December, his articles “New York Election of 1808” (Vol. 7, pp. 114–123) and “Canadian Press and the American Presidential Campaign of 1908” (Vol. 6, pp. 8–23) were published in the Proceedings of the International Conference on Humanities, Social and Education Sciences.

Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership Joseph Dragone has been named to New York state's Cannabis Education Advisory Panel, focused on youth and families.

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

Tech Check From IT

New Year, New URL: Cybersecurity in 2026

January is a perfect time to refresh cybersecurity habits. January 6 was National Technology Day, recognizing the role technology plays in our work at Russell Sage College, and January 26-30 is Data Privacy Week, a reminder of the importance of protecting sensitive information.

The January Sage Guard newsletter highlights simple cybersecurity resolutions for 2026 — hovering over links before clicking, avoiding high-pressure scams, using a VPN when traveling, and researching apps or devices before use. With AI increasingly used to create more convincing phishing attacks, staying alert is more important than ever. High-profile data breaches from 2025 further reinforce why good cyber habits matter every day. Let’s start the year cyber-smart and keep Sage secure.

The first Security Awareness Training for 2026 for faculty, adjuncts, and employees will be released on Monday, January 19. Please complete it by March 13.

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

HR Corner

January 2026 Talkspace Go Classes

Check out this month’s live, online, therapist-led classes for you and eligible family members — free, anonymous, and designed to support your mental health and well-being. Topics cover work, family, relationships, and more.

Sign up in advance or join on the day through the Talkspace Go app:

• Download the app (Apple or Google Play)
• Create an account and enter organization code: ESIEAP
• Review the calendar and register for classes you want to join

Recruitment Event on January 22

HR is hosting a recruitment event on January 22, 1-3 p.m., on the second floor of Cowee Hall, Troy. Please help spread the word! Check out current job openings at Russell Sage and share the info with anyone who may be interested!

CDPHP Wellness Series: Care for the Caregiver

CDPHP is offering a Care for the Caregiver workshop on February 11, noon-1 p.m. via Zoom. This session provides support, tools, and strategies for family caregivers to manage stress, prevent burnout, and improve their own well-being while caring for others. Sign up for Care for the Caregiver. 

ICYMI

Please Encourage Grad Students to Apply for Broughton Graduate Fellowship: Broughton Graduate Find fellowship guidelines and application. The deadline is February 15, 2026.

Please Help Promote Nutrition Study

The Nutrition Science department is administering a survey about food insecurity among college students to help inform policy and food assistance recommendations. Participation is voluntary and anonymous. Students 18 or older, in a two-year, four-year, or graduate program in the U.S. are eligible. You may also forward the survey to others. Email Laura McClure with questions.

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:



• 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 (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.

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