Former staffers talk about life after St. Rose

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – The sudden closure of the College of Saint Rose didn't just upend students' lives – it left dedicated staff, some with decades of service, facing an uncertain future. A group of workers found a new beginning and shared their story of resilience and unexpected opportunity.

Some members of the Saint Rose custodial staff had worked there for 20, 30 and, for some, even 40 years. They wondered what was next after the college’s closure. Many of them found a new home at Albany Academy and have been meeting the school’s custodial needs. 

Albany Academy Chief Financial Officer Vivian Benton said it was a challenge trying to get their arms around the cleaning services needed. The campus is extensive with 330,000 square feet across 55 acres.

“We had actually been struggling with our cleaning services for the last few years and had cycled through a few different companies. Three different companies actually in as many years. So we just were not getting the outcomes we were looking for,” said Benton.

She said as they had searched for a cleaning service that could meet the complex needs of the large campus, the Saint Rose closure presented a serendipitous opportunity. 

On the same day the college closure was announced, former Saint Rose staffer Ardiana Kulira said she was devastated by more sad news.

“I lost my dad on the same day that college closed. So it was very hard for us and also for my team to look for another job and to start over,” said Ardiana Kulira 

She was unemployed for a month and said she struggled to find a good opportunity. She wanted the team to stay together. Kulira said she felt lost, but never lost hope. She kept her dad’s words in mind.

“My dad, he always used to say, ‘When one door closes, another opens.’ And I knew that something would come up for our team,” said Kulira.

Kulira was the first hired from Saint Rose. She brought over eight former staffers from the closed college’s custodial department. After managing 50 custodians across 95 Saint Rose buildings, Kulira said Albany Academy was a “piece of cake”. The team takes pride in what they do.

“We finish all the projects on time. By having plan A, B, and C every day you accomplish everything. You just need to love what you do, that’s very important in workplace,” said Kulira.

Since the Saint Rose cleaning staff started at Albany Academy, “everyone has noticed,” said Benton. 

“And it’s really been phenomenal. I think what they brought to the table was a different approach entirely. They brought strategy and passion. And so really it’s kind of marrying up all of the activities on the campus, on the calendar, and it’s been a game changer for us,” said Benton.

Kulira and Benton are both grateful for the opportunity that, they said, came at the right time. Kulira plans on staying at Albany Academy. “Until I retire,” she said.

Benton said, although the Saint Rose closure was devastating for the community at large, “we’re really grateful for Ardiana and her crew. We feel like we were lucky,” said Benton. “There was a silver lining there for us.”