Center on Aging Graduate Students Present at UMaine Student Symposium

Graduate students affiliated with the University of Maine’s Center on Aging were strongly represented at this year’s Student Symposium, highlighting a range of research focused on aging, caregiving, and community impact.

Valentina Levesque, an MSW student, presented a poster exploring older adults’ perceptions of volunteering, with a focus on the benefits and challenges of virtual volunteering. Her work sheds light on how digital platforms can expand opportunities for engagement while also presenting accessibility barriers.

Scott Dillon, MSW student, presented research from the AgingME2 GWEP project examining caregiver preferences in health education delivery. His work contributes to improving how critical health information is shared with and accessed by caregivers.

Cynthia Cushing, a doctoral student, presented research on partnerships within the Workforce Development Program study, emphasizing the role of organizational collaboration in strengthening workforce outcomes. Cynthia was also selected as a graduate student award winner at this year’s symposium. Congratulations to Cynthia on this well-deserved recognition.

Anna Shantz, a graduate assistant with the Center on Aging, presented research conducted through IGNITE (International and Global Network for Innovation, Trade, and Education). The project examined the impact of tariffs on Maine businesses, with a focus on the lumber industry in a borderland economy. This work highlights how global trade policy intersects with local economic outcomes, underscoring the importance of interdisciplinary research to understand challenges affecting communities across the state.

The Center on Aging is proud of the contributions these graduate students are making through research, collaboration, and applied learning. Their work reflects a strong commitment to addressing real-world challenges and advancing knowledge that supports older adults, caregivers, and communities across Maine.