Frances Vorsky

Fran Vorsky joined Russell Sage College in 2024 after serving as director of alumni engagement at The College of Saint Rose in Albany for five years and leading alumni and advancement events at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia for five years prior to Saint Rose. 

She started her career in alumni relations as a student worker at Chestnut Hill, helping with event setup and carrying luggage during Reunion. “It was my first exposure to what being an alum means, what reunion is, and most importantly that it’s fun!” she said. “I haven’t missed a reunion weekend since I was 18, the only difference now is that I’m organizing them!”

Vorsky holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and gerontology and master’s degree in human services administration from Chestnut Hill and a graduate certificate in college teaching and learning from the University of Kentucky. 

Learn more about her and what she loves about her work below. 

You were an undergraduate at Chestnut Hill when it transitioned from a women’s college to a coeducational college, and you joined its alumni office not long after the transition. What did you take away from those experiences that influenced your interest in Russell Sage College?

Chestnut Hill went coed in its 79th year. When the announcement was made, I was a freshman, and it became coed in my junior year. I had two years at a women’s college and two years at a coed college. 

I saw firsthand the alumnae concerns about what this meant for the institution, for the mission. Something that I found to be true as a student, then becoming an alumna and getting involved with the alumni association there, and then later on joining the staff, is that the men who attended Chestnut Hill really believed in what Chestnut Hill stood for. 

From what I’ve seen so far, it’s similar here. The people who are choosing Russell Sage College chose it because they believe in the programs, they believe in the institution, and they know it’s going to support their career long term.

You’ve had a lot of experience in alumni relations — what do you enjoy about your work?

I love the connections that I get to make with people and helping to build relationships. The role of the alumni office is to further the relationship between the alum and the institution, but also among the alums themselves. One of my favorite things to see is when somebody comes back for a reunion — it might be their first time back on campus in 30 years — and they instantly recognize somebody. There’s that moment of, “It’s you!” It’s so wonderful to be a part of that and to know that I had a piece in making that happen.

 Also, I see the alumni office kind of like a customer service desk. Maybe you are looking for a transcript, and you don’t know who to go to, because it’s been so long; or you’re talking to your niece, nephew, or child about college … I’m able to help. If you want to reconnect with a faculty member who changed your life, I can help be the conduit for that. 

I wind up doing something different every single day, and I love that. 

What are you looking forward to in your first few months at Russell Sage?

I’m looking forward to continuing to meet everyone! And I’m looking forward to Reunion. 

Every school has a reunion, but it’s different everywhere. And the things that I’ve heard about Russell Sage’s Reunion and the Parade of Classes — I’m really excited to see what makes Russell Sage Russell Sage.

And I am looking forward to commencement. I want students to know that graduation is only the beginning. You are an alum forever, and we want to be connected to you forever. 

We want you to come back and let us know when good things are happening! If you get a new job, or start a business, or get another degree, we want to share that! We want to help you network with other alumni who could be resources for you. We want you to hire our students! You know firsthand the quality of our education and that RSC grads make good hires. We want you to have our students as interns. We want you to come back for Reunion and all of our events!

February 1 will be our 100 Days to Graduation celebration, which we will hold on both campuses at lunchtime. It’s my first opportunity to get in front of the students and to share the value the RSC Alumnae/i Association can provide to them long after they’ve turned their tassel.

We will be part of the senior week celebrations and commencement, the day students officially become one of us.

What are your interests outside of work?

I am a diehard Phillies fan!

I got to check off something on my bucket list in 2022 when I went to my very first World Series game to cheer on my Phillies. We lost, but it was still one of the coolest experiences of my life. 

I spend a lot of time with my actual family and my chosen family. I have 11 nieces and nephews all around the country. 

And I love to visit new places. 

Is there anything that you would like to add?

Students and alums tend to stay in touch with their favorite coach or their favorite professor or advisor, not necessarily the alumni office. So I encourage everyone to stay in touch with us, too! And for those that have information to share, please share it. We will take good care of it.

And to my Sage colleagues, faculty and staff, if you have good news about an alum, please let me know about it! Reach me at [email protected] or 518-244-2410.