Coffee Break Newsletter Masthead

March 30, 2026


Send announcements for Coffee Break (employees) or Solutions (students) to newsletter@sage.edu by end of day Wednesday to appear in the next issues.

🚨 Disaster drills this week: Nursing will conduct disaster drills Wednesday, April 1, and Friday, April 3. The daytime exercises will take place in the parking lot next to Kellas in Troy and will be visible to the campus community. This year’s drills simulate a medical emergency involving a motor vehicle accident.

Due this Week


April 2: Last day to apply for the Open Educational Resources Faculty Grant.


April 5: Email Carol Pett by April 5 to rent regalia for Sage’s May 16 commencement ceremony. Scroll to the bottom of the newsletter for complete regalia rental details.


April 6: Submit Artwork St. Peter's Crime Victims Services Art from the Heart Survivors’ Gallery.

Registering for summer or fall classes? Fill out HR’s tuition waiver form.

Join Coffee Hour, April 1, 9 a.m., with Amanda Bastiani of the Title IX Office.

Find the Zoom link and more Coffee Hour resources or contact the Innovation Committee at innovation@sage.edu.

 

What’s New

 

In the News


Nutrition’s Theresa DeLorenzo spoke with CBS 6 for Dietitian urges caution when adding creatine to your diet (This story was picked up by stations in Cincinnati and Portland, Oregon!)  


Physical Therapy’s Erin Elkins was a guest on News10 Women's Health Wednesday prior to the college’s Menopause Reimagined conference.


Flag Football athletes Hailey Blake and Clara Stodolka and Coach Denver Divens spoke with the Times Union for At Russell Sage, a first step for flag football and a second chance for those who missed it.


And an interview with President Shaftel on the Capital Region Higher Ed Alliance ran on WAMC Northeast Public Radio.

Two people recycling bottles at a green recycling bin with the recycling symbol
Two people recycling bottles at a green recycling bin with the recycling symbol

Enjoy and Support the Outdoors


Spring Hike on Saturday, April 11: Join an RSC 301 class for a hike at Boehme Legacy Forest. Choose a one- or two-mile option. Meet at 9:15 a.m. in the “Big Lot” in Troy to travel together to the trail (about 25 minutes from campus). Plan to drive or carpool. Email adjunct professor Trent Romer or Professor Ali Schaeffing with questions.


Troy Campus Cleanup, Saturday, April 18, 9:30-11:30 a.m.: Join a campus and neighborhood cleanup effort that is part of Troy’s Earth Week Initiative. Meet in the “Big Lot” in Troy. Supplies provided.


Albany Earth Day Cleanup, Wednesday, April 22: Learn more and sign up to beautify public spaces with Downtown Albany’s BID. Free lunch!

Pillard of Bush Memorial Hall against blue sky

Expanding Mental Health Support Beyond the Wellness Center


Twice a week this semester, students in Kellas Hall in Troy can connect informally with counselor Stephanie Buel, MHC-LP, during evening hours. The initiative builds on the Wellness Center’s broader outreach, including Buel’s regular presence at esports practices, helping students connect with support in familiar, everyday settings.

Chalk drawing of stacked books with flags and an airplane on a dark blue background

Discover How Students Experience

Study Abroad


On Thursday, April 9, at 4:30 p.m. in the Armory Renaissance Room (Albany), students who have studied abroad will share their experiences. This panel offers employees a chance to hear from students about how travel programs enrich their academic development and personal growth. Hosted by the Honors and Study Abroad programs.

Pink text that says Write in the Night on light blue background

Please Promote to Students:

Write in the Night


Thursday, April 9, 7-11 p.m., Shea Library basement classroom, Troy


Tuesday, April 14, 7-11 p.m., Albany Library computer lab 


At Write in the Night, students can get help with any piece of writing at any stage, plus snacks, prizes, and encouragement. Email Academic Support with questions.

Emblem for "518 Day 5.18K Road Race" featuring skyline and legs in motion

Start Commencement Day with a 5.18K


Kick off commencement day with this community celebration of the 518, featuring a 5.18K race, Kids’ 1K, music, vendors, food, and beverages.


Register for the 5.18K Road Race on May 16.


(Why not register for the Workforce Challenge, too?)

 

Way to Go!

 
Person holding a wooden plaque in an empty auditorium

PE Major Earns Coaching Honor


Student Victoria Judy, assistant coach for New York’s Burnt Hills-Scotia-Ballston Spa girls wrestling program, was named Section 2 Wrestling’s Assistant Coach of the Year at the section’s wrestling awards ceremony on March 12. Find out how Sage’s PE program has influenced her as a coach on Sage.edu.

Person in a suit with a blue tie, in front of a green banner with Irish-themed text

Student Shares Inside Look at NYS Senate Internship Experience


Dominic Harkness set his sights on a highly competitive New York State Senate Internship during his second semester at Russell Sage. He’s spending his final college semester in the office of State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton. Harkness credits the encouragement of Professor Harvey Strum and coursework that strengthened his writing with helping him stand out for the internship. Read a Q&A with Harkness on Sage.edu.

Wall of Wins


This week's Wall of Wins submission celebrates an annual event at the college that has grown bigger and better every year:


Congratulations to Sonya Hauser, the Nutrition Department, and all of the health sciences faculty and staff who were involved in the Menopause Conference. (We saw you on the live news at 7:45 a.m., Erin Elkins!) It was an incredible collaboration across the college and beyond, and it's leading the way on enlightening the public and healthcare profession on a vital topic for women.



– Jenn G.


Shout out yours or a colleague’s wins, big or small, on the Wall of Wins!

Baseball and Track Athletes Honored


Baseball’s Evan Grimes and Xavier Garcia were named Empire 8 Conference Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, and Indoor Track and Field athletes Ashley Bovee and Dylan Lawless were named to E8’s Tomorrow’s Leaders Team. More athletics news.

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

 

Tech Check From IT

 
Bold blue text on a white background reading "WORLD BACKUP DAY" with light blue slashes.

World Backup Day — March 31


March 31 is World Backup Day, the perfect reminder to protect the files you can’t afford to lose. Whether it’s class materials, research, or important work documents, make sure files are backed up in approved locations. Backups protect you from accidental deletion, device failure, ransomware, and the unexpected. If it doesn’t exist in at least two places, it doesn’t really exist. Take a few minutes and back it up!

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

 

HR Corner

 

TIAA on Troy Campus: One-on-one sessions, May 6 and June 17,  9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cowee Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room. Register at tiaa.org/schedulenow or by calling 800-842-2252.

HR-Recommended Reading: EAP April newsletter [PDF], featuring Stress Awareness Month content.

 

Previously Announced 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.

Banner advertising the "Plastique" exhibition at Opalka Gallery on a brick wall

Plastique

Through April 18

Opalka Gallery, Albany


This exhibition features artists who transform plastic pollution into art and design.


Events this week include live music from Andrew Mollica on Friday, April 3. Find details on the Opalka events calendar.

A red image with white text saying Lets Save Lives Together and featuring the American Red Cross logoand Hashtag humankind

ACPHS Blood Drive

Wednesday, April 8, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences


Sign up for ACPHS’s blood drive

Purple-tinted image of a march with overlaid text "TAKE BACK THE NIGHT" and a crescent moon

Take Back the Night — Thursday, April 23

5-8 p.m., Washington Park, Albany


Albany County’s annual Take Back the Night raises awareness and protests sexual and relationship violence. The event includes information tables, performances, a survivor speak-out, a march, and a candlelight vigil. Walking groups will leave the Albany campus at 4 and 4:30 p.m. Meet in front of the Administration Building.

Registration Now Open for the CDPHP Workforce Challenge


Thrive@Russell Sage and Recreation and Fitness are organizing a team for the CDPHP Workforce Challenge, a 3.5-mile walk/run on Thursday, May 21, at 6:25 p.m. at the Empire State Plaza. It costs $5 to join Team Russell Sage College (The “normal” price is $35, but Thrive will cover the remaining $30!) Register for the Workforce Challenge.

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


Register for Pilates, 9:30 a.m., Troy, McKinstry 206


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

 
Bright yellow softball with red stitching on green grass, with a black and neon green glove in the background

Sign Up for the Employee Softball League


Thrive@Russell Sage is forming a coed softball team for employees. Games begin April 27 and are played once a week, on weeknights. The team will start in the beginner bracket, and all experience levels are welcome.


Find out more and sign up for the Employee Softball League.

Regalia Rental for Commencement: Please Order by April 5


If you’ll be participating in commencement or other end-of-semester events that require regalia (like Honors Convocation or PT Hooding), please contact Carol Pett at 1pettc@sage.edu or 518-274-0199 by Sunday, April 5.


Note: This rental option is for administration, faculty, and staff only. Please do not share with students.


If you rented regalia in the past, the bookstore will not assume you need it again unless you confirm. Please include the following information in your email:


  • Height
  • Jacket or dress size (indicate if over 250 lbs. so the gown fits properly)
  • Hat size or head measurement around the widest part of the forehead in inches
  • Degree and field of study (e.g., Master of Science in Chemistry)
  • College or university and city and state
  • Daytime contact information


Rental Pricing:


  • Bachelor’s unit (cap/gown/tassel/hood): $77 + tax
  • Master’s unit (cap/gown/tassel/hood): $84 + tax
  • Doctoral unit (cap/gown/tassel/hood): $93 + tax
  • Doctoral unit (tam/gown/tassel/hood): $121 + tax
  • Individual components (gown, hood, cap/tam, tassel) can also be rented


Payment is due at pick-up at M.O.S.S. Books, Troy (Gurley Hall, 1st Floor). Please return all items as soon as possible after your ceremony.


Store Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Friday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.


Shipping is $7.99. Contact the bookstore to discuss alternative payment, pick-up, or delivery options. Orders received after the deadline may incur extra shipping charges.

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Undergraduate Research Day:

RSVP and Reviewer Sign-Up


Undergraduate Research Day is on Wednesday, April 29, in Albany, celebrating student work across majors, General Education, and the Honors Program. Watch for the full schedule, coming soon.


Free lunch: All are invited. Please RSVP for UGRD lunch by April 15.


Be a reviewer: The poster session and Be Well@Sage Community Health Fair both take place in the Armory from 1:30-3 p.m. on UGRD. We want to ensure that every student has the opportunity to present their work to an engaged listener, and you can be just that person! Please sign up to be a reviewer. Find more info at the link, or email ugresearchday@sage.edu.

Free Fitness and Nutrition Consultations


To make an appointment or ask questions, email Recreation and Fitness Director 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.

 

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