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Russell Sage College Cabinet
Christopher Ames
President
Christopher Ames is the 10th president of Russell Sage College. He joined Sage in July 2017 from Shepherd University, the public liberal arts university of West Virginia, where he served as provost. He previously served as provost and senior vice president at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta and as provost and dean at Washington College in Maryland. He is a graduate of Harvard’s Institute of Educational Management and the Aspen Institute Executive Seminar on Leadership.
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Ames earned a Ph.D. in English Literature at Stanford University. He taught 20th-century literature and film for 15 years at Agnes Scott College, a liberal arts college for women in Atlanta.
Theresa Hand, OTD, OTR/L, CHT
Provost
Theresa Hand, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, was appointed provost at Russell Sage College in 2019. She was most recently interim provost, associate provost and dean of Sage’s School of Health Sciences. A faculty member since 1993, she has served as chair and program director of the Occupational Therapy program and held leadership roles in health-care organizations. Hand holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire, a master’s degree from Russell Sage College and a doctorate from Creighton University.
Kate Adams
Vice President, Institutional Advancement
Kate Adams was named vice president, Institutional Advancement, at Russell Sage College in 2018. She was previously associate vice president of institutional advancement for six years and also held leadership roles at The Nature Conservancy and Emma Willard School. She holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University.
Rick Barthelmas
Vice President of Finance and Treasurer
Rick Barthelmas joined Sage in 2017, after 23 years with the State University of New York and Empire State College. Rick began his career at the SUNY system office, serving as an accountant, financial analyst and assistant director of business affairs. He then moved to the multi-location Empire State College, where he was associate vice president for administration. Barthelmas holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and has been a CPA since 1994.
Trish Cellemme
Vice President, Student Life
Trish Cellemme became vice president for student life at Russell Sage College in 2005. She has also served as dean of students, associate dean of students and director of student services and residence life since joining Sage in 1997 as associate director of residence life on the Albany campus. Cellemme is the college’s chief student conduct officer. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Russell Sage College and her master’s degree in Education from the College of St. Rose. She is a member of NAPA, the leading association for the student affairs profession, and the New American Colleges and Universities Board of Directors.
Thomas W. Nesbitt
Vice President, Enrollment Management
Thomas Nesbitt joined Russell Sage College as vice president for enrollment management in 2019. Nesbitt, who has nearly 30 years of higher education experience, previously served as director of admissions and enrollment planning at SUNY Potsdam for 19 years. Prior to Potsdam, Nesbitt was director of admissions at SUNY Delhi. He has also held enrollment management and student affairs positions at North Country Community College, Providence College, Davis & Elkins College and Paul Smith’s College. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts at Marist College and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration at West Virginia University.
Rose Grignon
Executive Assistant to the President
Associate Vice President, Human Resources
Rose Grignon was named executive assistant to the president and secretary to the Russell Sage College Board of Trustees in 2007 and associate vice president for human resources in 2017. She previously served as director of human resources, director of budget, financial analyst and payroll supervisor. She joined Sage in 1977 as a financial aid clerk. Grignon earned her MBA and bachelor’s degree in business from Sage’s School of Management.
Doug Gruse
Senior Director of Marketing & Communications
Doug Gruse was named senior director of marketing and communications at Russell Sage College in 2020. He joined Sage from SUNY Adirondack, where he led marketing and communications projects that received Best of SUNY awards and honors from the national Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. He has worked as an editor, journalist and designer at both newspapers and publishing companies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Louisiana State University.