Dean’s Welcome

Welcome to the School of Arts & Sciences at Russell Sage College, home to an active community of faculty and students pursuing their interests in interdisciplinary fields.

Here you will find us making connections among fields like criminal justice, forensic mental health, sociology and public health as well as in literature and writing, along with visual and performing arts, and a touch of chemistry, physics and math.

At Sage, learning does not end when you leave the classroom (or log out of the Zoom session); you will continue those discussions in hallways, at one of the cafes or out in a quad or courtyard.

This is such an exciting time to be actively engaged in the liberal arts and sciences! With so many complex issues facing us, you will see immediately how knowledge and experience with the humanities, social sciences and arts can inform not just your opinion, but your actions. As you learn about societal systems and structures, you will see those played out in history, literature or theatre, and you will have an opportunity to engage in your own hands-on project that brings all of this together in a way that is uniquely you.

As a student in our School of Arts & Sciences, you will work closely with a supportive faculty advisor to map your unique educational pathway. You may even want to chart a course that involves a collaboration with one of Sage’s other schools (in Management, Education, and Health Sciences). There are multiple options available, and your faculty advisor will help you develop a plan that aligns with your educational and professional goals.

Speaking of professional goals, all of the programs within the School of Arts & Sciences include an internship or a significant capstone project, and several offer independent or collaborative research opportunities and service learning experiences — all of which will help you build your professional network and your resume.

Sometimes students think that in order to start a career right after college, they need to enroll in a professional program. The recent report, How College Contributes to Workforce Success: Employer Views on What Matters Most, by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, highlights that employers indicate that the skills one gains by studying liberal arts and sciences are very important to career success.

I invite you to visit Russell Sage College’s campuses in Troy and Albany, New York, to see for yourself. In the meantime, please explore our website to learn more about our degree programs and career and graduate pathways

Deb Lawrence, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Arts & Sciences