Madasyn Bush

Madasyn Bush says her interest in both health care and advocacy work led her to a public health major. The small, inclusive community, she continues, attracted her to Russell Sage College. 

“I knew, through Russell Sage, I would be able to build relationships with my professors and build my network,” she says. 

Madasyn, now a senior, says Sage more than met her early expectations.   

She names Associate Professor Dayna Maniccia, adjunct instructor Griffin Lacy and an internship at the Crime Victim & Sexual Violence Center of Albany County as some of the people and experiences that have prepared her for the future.  

“Dayna Maniccia is my advisor and she has been my professor for many of my classes,” says Madasyn. “She has inspired me a lot while attending Russell Sage.”

Instructor Griffin Lacy, and their Women, Health and the Body class, has also been influential, says Madasyn, who is pursuing a women’s studies and behavioral health track within the Public Health major. “They have taught me a lot on how to advocate for myself as well as the importance of advocating for other minority groups.” 

At the Crime Victim & Sexual Violence Center, Madasyn provides confidential, one-on-one crisis support to sexual assault survivors on the phone and at local hospitals. She’s also benefited from ongoing continuing education and training opportunities at the center. 

And she found additional leadership opportunities through Sage’s Athletics program. 

She’s a member of the women’s basketball team and, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, was part of a group of student-athletes who led literacy programs at local elementary schools.    

As she prepares to graduate, Madasyn is confident she will build a career that she loves and is grateful to all who helped her reach this milestone. 

“My professors and mentors at Russell Sage have taught me how to act and perform in a professional setting, and I believe this will help me in my future,” she says. “I have been raised by a single mother who has helped me so much throughout my life and has encouraged me to reach for my goals.”