2025 Alumnae/i Association Board
MaryAnn Publicover Kniska ’91
President
MaryAnn Publicover Kniska ‘91 has been a proud member of the RSCAA Board of Directors since 2013. After receiving her BA in psychology at RSC, she went on to get master and doctorate degrees in physical therapy at University of Massachusetts Lowell and Northeastern University respectively. She is an assistant professor of physical therapy at American International College in Springfield. In her spare time, she is an avid reader, baker and tennis player, and enjoys traveling, biking and hiking with her husband and their two adult children.
Theresa Hotte, RSC ’15
Vice President
Theresa has been serving on the Board since she graduated from RSC in 2015 with her degree in Sociology. Theresa graduated from Albany Law School in 2021 and works for a non-profit law firm in Albany. Her favorite way to stay connected at RSC is following the yearly Rally competition- always rooting for the Devils. She lives in the Capital Region with her fiancé, two calico cats and a one-eyed rescue dog.
Carly Jean Colbert ’07R
Secretary (appointed)
Carly Colbert is the inaugural Chief of Staff at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, N.Y. and has been at Le Moyne since 2008. She has also served as an adjunct instructor.
As a member of the president’s senior leadership team, Carly manages a portfolio of projects for the president and guides the daily operations of the office. Carly facilitates greater coordination and integration among members of the senior leadership team, handles questions, issues and requests on behalf of the president, and organizes projects, people and resources to facilitate more effective processes and positive institutional outcomes. She also serves as liaison to the Board of Trustees.
Carly received her Master of Science in Education from Le Moyne and Bachelor of Arts in English from Russell Sage College. She holds certificates in Higher Education Leadership and Human Resources Management. She is currently a doctoral candidate at Rockhurst University and her research interests include prison education programs.
Nadine Myers Austin ’87R
Treasurer
Nadine graduated (Proud Red Devil & daughter of a Purple Cow) with a B.A. in Biology, minor in Sociology and began her career in higher education in New England. She earned her M.B.A, with a concentration in accounting, from Southern New Hampshire University (’94). She holds a Project Management certification from Syracuse University, Whitman School of Management. Nadine has been a member of the Syracuse University community for the past 15 years. She is currently the Budget Analyst in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost. Prior to joining the Office of the Provost, Nadine served as Associate Director for CLASS, the University learning center, responsible for the day-to-day operations. Nadine was Director of Administration with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families. Nadine and her husband, Steve (RPI ’85, ’86) have two grown daughters, and reside in Liverpool, NY. When she is not cheering on the SU Orange Men’s Basketball team, Nadine can be found spending time with her grandson, Maverick and traveling with her family to warmer climates. Nadine is excited to reengage in alumnae/i activities. She served as an RSCAA Board member for two years following graduation.
Joan M. Martin ’98
Alumna Trustee
Joan M. Martin joined the Russell Sage College Board of Trustees as an Alumna Trustee in 2024. She also serves on the RSC Alumnae/i Board in that same capacity. Prior to these appointments, she served as the Vice President of the RSC Alumnae/I Board for two terms.
Joan graduated from Siena College with a B.S. in Biology and holds an M.S. in Health Services Administration from Sage Graduate School. Currently the Vice President in Integrated Delivery System and System Payer Contracting at Albany Med Health System, she oversees payer strategy as well as other key health system relationships. Joan’s career in health services administration began as an officer, commissioned upon receiving her undergraduate degree, in the U.S. Army Medical Services Corps. She has been employed by Albany Med now for over 21 years with many successes in support of its mission. Joan and her husband Steve (SGS ’96) reside in Guilderland, N.Y. where they raised their family. Son Scott is a physician completing his training in general surgery at the University of Buffalo. Daughter Christina holds an M.S. in Biology and is currently working for the National Park Service with a focus on bee and other pollinator preservation.
*Carol Buchanan ’82
Alumnae/i Trustee
Tania Capaz-Topping ’09R
EC Member-at-Large, Women’s Institute Liaison
Kathy “Kate” DeVito Cohen ’83R
Chair / Nominating & Awards
Kathy (Kate) DeVito Cohen RSC ‘83 knows her SAGE experience built the core of her career. A Special Education/Visual and Performing Arts major, she taught at Maplebrook School in NY before earning a 1988 J.D. from Case Western Reserve University. She next practiced poverty law and published legal writings before serving FL as a Family Law Hearing Officer. A 1999 relocation to MD with her husband and two children pivoted her back into education as a teacher, administrator, author, and presenter before establishing ADVOCATING EDUCATION LLC in 2019. When a student she was Residence Director of Sage Hall. As an alum, she has represented Admissions and served on RSCAA’s Nominating and Awards Committee and Legacy Task Group. Baking biscotti to share is a personal joy!
*Grace Collette ’13
At-large
*Kathleen B. Davis ’99
At-large
Kathleen B. Davis is the vice president for Enrollment Management at Rochester Institute of Technology. Prior to RIT, Davis served as vice president for enrollment and retention management at Saint Louis University, a private Jesuit research university in Missouri, since 2018.
In addition, Davis held enrollment roles at Canisius St. Joseph’s College, St John’s University (Queens), New York University Tandon School of Engineering, and Clarkson University.
Davis, a native of New England, earned her MBA from Clarkson University. She also holds a BS degree in business administration from Russell Sage College. Davis resides in Rochester, NY with her husband Michael Rolanti (RPI) and their dog Theo.
*Garrison Decker
Student Representative
Breanne DeBarros ’21, ’24G
At-large
*Morgan Dempsey ’25
First-year representative
Marsha McGrath ’86
Co-Chair / Outreach & Engagement
*Patty Martinez ’16
At-large
Nancy Meyer ’71R
Co-Chair House & History
Junina Nacua ’06, ’15G
Annual Giving Liaison
Betsy O’Masta ’84
Chair Ways & Means; N&A
*Barbara Rainville ’90
At-large
After graduation, Barbara went on to earn a Masters at RPI in Urban and Environmental Studies in 1994. Returning to Vermont, she began working at Maple Landmark, Inc. a family owned manufacturing company specializing in wooden toys, and games located in Middlebury. At Maple Landmark, she is responsible for trade show logistics, customer support, marketing and participating on the product development team where she can put her educational degree to work. On the personal side, Barbara serves her community as the Town of Lincoln’s Emergency Management Director after completing service on the Select Board and Zoning Board Adjustment. Her commitment to women’s education continues as she’s an active member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood – an international educational philanthropy for women. She served 6 years on the P.E.O. NEDC Executive Board becoming a Past District President 2024. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, gardening and landscaping. She is looking forward to serving my Russell Sage College community.
*Mayleen Rivera-Burrell ’14
At-large
*Carol Shabe ’62
At-large
Danish Sharpe ’14, 16’G
Co-Chair / Outreach & Engagement
*Janelle Smith ’97
Co-Chair / House & History & N&A
*Elaine Teeters ’88
Finance Committee Chair
* New board member for 2025-2026