Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, the 18th president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and the first African-American woman to earn a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and to lead a top-ranked research university, will serve as the featured speaker at the 96th annual commencement for The College of Saint Rose on May 11 at the Times Union Center.

She will also receive an honorary doctor of humane letters from Saint Rose. 


Dr. Jackson, who became the first woman and first African-American president of RPI in 1999, will speak about her groundbreaking journey in the field of science and her rise to leadership as both a woman and a person of color. Her distinguished career includes senior leadership positions in academia, government, industry, and research. Time Magazine has called her “perhaps the ultimate role model for women in science.”


Read more about Dr. Jackson here.

The first edition of the Saint Rose Magazine in several years will soon be landing in mailboxes. (You’ll also be able to access content online).

You won’t want to miss the mix of stories about life on campus, features about our alumni, and the ever-popular class notes.

If you’re an alum, make sure we have your current mailing information (and any other updates) by clicking here. This will allow you to get regular updates on what’s happening at the College. You’ll also be sure to get updates on the slate of alumni events planned for this year.

The landmark day of commencement is still ahead of us, but we have already been busy celebrating our students at Saint Rose.

Read about just a few of the events that celebrate our diverse student body, academic standouts, bright undergraduate researchers, student-athletes, and student leaders on campus.

We are so proud of our students for their work inside and outside of the classroom.

Of course, we’re excited to see many of those students cross the stage in front of family, friends, and their supporters at the College soon. We can’t wait to bring you highlights from the 96th annual commencement ceremony in the June newsletter.

The College of Saint Rose recently launched a seamless transfer program, which grants eligible SUNY students, including those at community colleges, the ability to transfer to Saint Rose with their liberal education requirements satisfied, saving them time and money. With seamless transfer, these students can focus on their major-specific requirements and path to graduation.

“We want to ensure that transfer students feel welcome at Saint Rose and that they are able to enjoy the private college experience with the ease of seamless transfer, which is currently offered within the SUNY system,” said Saint Rose President Carolyn J. Stefanco. “Now, students transferring to Saint Rose from SUNY institutions, including community colleges, have the opportunity to come to Saint Rose and focus on studies related to their major in a setting that offers small class sizes, hands-on experience, and personal attention from professors.”

Seamless transfer is available to students who have completed their general education requirements (following the 7-10-30 model) from any SUNY institution. With their liberal education requirements satisfied, students gain flexibility in scheduling and are more likely to complete their degrees in a timely manner.

Read more about seamless transfer at Saint Rose.