By LUCIE BURNS
News Editor
Former admissions counselor, Ryan Sue, had his last day of work at Saint Rose on Jan. 30. Without an incoming undergraduate class, the admissions staff’s jobs are technically done as there are no more students to admit.
Sue began working at Saint Rose in September 2022. Initially, Sue did not plan to go into admissions at all, he said. His plan was to be a college history professor, receiving two Bachelors of Arts degrees in History and Philosophy from the University at Albany. He also has years of experience working in sales, which is what he believed helped land him the job in admissions.
“My whole goal when going to college was to work with students and show them the opportunities that they have and I get to do that through admissions,” Sue said. Another one of Sue’s favorite parts about his job was working with the rest of the team. “We all worked well together, most of the time, but we were a family,” Sue said. They even had decorated the office for his birthday, despite the fact that it came amidst the news of the school’s closing.
“I honestly found out about the closing at the same time as everyone,” said Sue. At first, he didn’t believe that what he heard could be true. However, after seeing all of the articles that came out, he knew at some point the rumors had to be true.
Sue has found another institution to go to, as have many other members of the admissions staff. Choosing to stay local, he is now an events and operations counselor in undergraduate admissions at Russell Sage College. He also plans to continue working on his master’s degree in history. Only two members of the admissions staff are staying to assist with teach-out plans, Director of Admissions Marissa Izykowski and Events and Visit Coordinator Fabby Street.
The admissions staff was given two months to search for another job before they were let go. “I don’t think any of us were very upset, because they did give us two months, which is much better than hey, admissions isn’t needed, you have a week,” Sue said.
His last official day at Saint Rose came one day earlier than the other admission staff’s last day, due to starting his new job at Russell Sage the following day. “It was unreal, I still haven’t really processed it,” Sue said. “It was like, yes we’re celebrating new things and new paths, but at the same time we’re most likely never going to work together again.”
Despite the school’s closure, Sue does not regret any of his time at the college nor the colleagues, students, and staff he met. His experience of working as an admissions counselor for over a year showed him how much he appreciates this field of work.
“I’m staying in higher education, for sure,” said Sue. “It’s something I really enjoy, and meeting all the students and seeing where they go is the best part.”
