Former Saint Rose students: Where are they now?

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – When the College of Saint Rose closed teach-out programs helped many of its students find new stomping grounds at other area colleges. Russell Sage College has been one of the popular landing spots among those former Saint Rose students. 

Saint Rose was known for its education program. Many students enrolled at the school with hopes of becoming teachers.

Since Saint Rose closed 130 students have transferred to Russell Sage College. 80 were graduate students and 50 were undergraduates.

Of the 80 graduate students, 63 were from the Saint Rose education program. Of the 50 undergraduates, 19 were from the Saint Rose education program. One of those undergraduates is Alejandro Aleo. 

He is from Spain and chose Saint Rose for the teaching program and to play soccer.  He was shocked when the college closed but says once he reached out to Russell Sage they were very helpful. And the bonus?

“I’m still playing. It’s a different division, division three. But the coach also reached out to me when he knew I was coming here, so it has been really good so far,” said Aleo.

He said other Saint Rose soccer teammates also transferred and that have been able to breathe some new life into the Russell Sage soccer team. 

“I think the new team is very nice. Everyone is. We have a big squad and we’re winning. They weren’t winning last year. Now they’re happier. So yeah, actually, I’m having fun,” said Aleo.

Katie Atchinson was also a student athlete at Saint Rose and is now at Russell Sage and still plays volleyball.

She said professors at both colleges have been helpful throughout the transition, but there are still some challenges starting at a new school.

“Navigating the school is something you learn when you’re a freshman. same thing, i’ve got lost a few times, which is weird for a senior to get lost but it is what it is,” said Atchinson. 

Overall enrollment at Russell Sage has grown significantly. According to the college enrollment is up 33 percent over last year – with 2,743 undergraduates and graduates.

It’s the highest the college has had since 2015. A spokesperson for Russell Sage said the school has a similar student profile and academic catalog as Saint Rose.

“There’s been so much support. Especially with my other Saint Rose students. We’ve helped each other out so much. So to have that little community within the Sage community has been a really good thing,” said Atchinson. 

Cain Mack and Logan Pollak  agree. They said the school’s closure has brought former Saint Rose students closer. They formed the band Superbird while they were at Saint Rose.

Now they attend the University of New Haven. Mack said they’ve mostly kept their band together but a former band mate now attends RPI. 

Mack, who is a guitarist for Superbird, said it’s difficult trying to find their scene in New Haven and they feel like they’re starting back at square one. 

“We’ve been trying to make do with what we have, trying to keep it alive,” said Mack.

Pollak, the band’s drummer, said he misses the friendly competition that Saint Rose offered, with so many talented musicians.

“I do miss being around people that were bringing out more of a challenge, in terms of improvement. But I do really enjoy being in a place with so many facilities and resources educationally that I can take advantage of,” said Pollack.

They’ve booked their first New Haven gig, at Stella Blues October 4, and hope it will lead to Superbird booking more gigs. 

“Saint Rose closing was devastating. I don't think there is any way around that. As nice as New Haven is – and it is really nice here, I do really like the campus and the people and the school – but I still do desperately miss Saint Rose,” said Pollack.

Superbird will drop its next single on December 14.