Meet our Lifelong Maine Students
Five talented University of Maine Master of Social Work students are working with Lifelong Maine this semester! Each of them selflessly gives their time, skills, and experience to making Maine a better place to age. Sarah St. Pierre, Brandi Connor-Vargeson, Jean Pierre Nizeyimana, and Kris Allen are working hand-in-hand with Lewiston's Senior Resource Council to complete an age-friendly assessment. As part of her field placement, Chelsea Chapman has joined the Lifelong Maine News team as a roving reporter. We hope you enjoy meeting our amazing students as much as we have!
Roving Reporter, Chelsea Chapman
Lifelong Maine Roving Reporter
Chelsea Chapman
Chelsea Chapman is a graduate student at the University of Maine in Orono in the MSW program. In December 2019, Chelsea completed her BA in Psychology with a minor in French, also at the University of Maine. This May, Chelsea will graduate from her current program.
This school year, Chelsea has worked as an intern at the UMaine Center on Aging as part of her program requirements. As part of her work at the Center, Chelsea is helping the Lifelong Maine news team develop a few stories. Keep an eye out for her by-line!
Chelsea lives in Orono, Maine, with her fiancé and two cats, Winston and Georgia. In her free time, she likes to listen to music, read, and spend time with loved ones.
MSW Research Team
Sarah St. Pierre, Brandi Connor-Vargeson, Jean Pierre Nizeyimana, and Kris Allen, are second-year graduate students in the blended Master of Social Work program at the University of Maine, Orono. As a part of our program, we have been paired with Patricia Oh and the Lewiston Senior Advisory Council to assist them as they begin the initial data gathering phase to support their Age-Friendly Community Planning. We look forward to having a small hand in such a worthwhile movement.
Sarah St. Pierre is an alumna of Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, Canada, where she conducted research within the Adulthood and Aging laboratory. Her work was particularly focused on empowering older adults in their healthcare treatment and in voicing their knowledge needs about Lyme disease. As a research student at the University of Maine, Sarah is eager to carry her commitment to this field forward by helping the town of Lewiston create a community that is welcoming and accommodating to the aging population.
MSW Student Researcher
Brandi Connor-Vargeson
Brandi Connor-Vargeson has spent much of her professional career working as a case manager for individuals with substance use, and individuals with disabilities. She is also a resident of Lewiston. “I am looking forward to working with the team on this project!”
MSW Student Researcher, Kris Allen
Kris Allen is an alumna of Western Washington University and the University of Idaho. She works in community mental health in New Hampshire, where she supports older adults with chronic and severe mental illness. She recently completed an internship with the Maine Council on Aging where she first learned about the AFC movement. “I am so excited for the people of Lewiston to undertake this endeavor. I am honored to be able to support the community and learn from the residents of Lewiston.” Kris lives in an Age Friendly Community in Southern New Hampshire.
MSW Student Researcher
Jean Pierre Nizeyimana
Jean Pierre is a Master of Social Work (MSW) student and a Lewiston resident as well. “As I am currently enrolled in a Research class that focuses on understanding the various methodologies and techniques involved in conducting meaningful and impactful research within the field of social work. I am excited to apply the knowledge and skills I have gained from this course to real-world projects, such as the survey that Lewiston has commissioned on age-friendly communities. I am particularly interested in exploring the unique needs and perspectives of older adults living in Lewiston and how we can work together to address any potential barriers they may face in accessing community resources and services. By partnering with Lewiston on this project, I hope to contribute to the development of a more inclusive and supportive community that values and elevates the voices of older adults.”