Meet our VISTAs

About the Program | Current MCC VISTAs | Past VISTAs | Apply

Anna Basel – University of Maine

Partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Coast Maine, Anna is coordinating UMaine's Black Bear Mentoring program, designed to enrich the lives of at-risk youth in grades 2-8. Through encouragement, healthy role modeling, and weekly educational activities, UMaine mentors are able to help their mentees achieve academically and aspire to higher education. Anna provides support and resources to existing mentors, as well as creating recruitment strategies and procedures for future mentors. Anna is the lead facilitator for recruitment and program assessment at the end of the year, conducted by partnering organizations and schools.

Erika Landry – University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Erika is the coordinator of various after-school programs. Erika is working with area elementary and middle schools, as well as the Lewiston Housing Authority to identify youth to participate in the programs, as well as working with area campuses to recruit volunteers and enlist faculty in assisting volunteers with strategies to support English Language Learners. Using 4-H Youth Development curriculum, Erika is also planning experiential learning activities to increase aspirations among at-risk youth.

George Bragdon – University of Maine at Fort Kent

With a focus of decreasing the financial barrier of higher education, George is implementing two new programs while partnering with Acadia Federal Credit Union. He is developing, implementing and assessing a financial literacy program for early elementary students. George is also recruiting UMFK Business Administration majors into St. John Valley communities, where they will assist high school students with the FAFSA and financial aid applications, as well as providing guidance concerning student loans and debt.

Jennifer Zabko – University of Maine at Augusta

Jennifer is coordinating the yoUMAtter mentoring program, which will partner with the Augusta Boys and Girls Club. Part of the program will work with teens on several issues concerning college access, such as high school completion, the college application process with guidance on writing application essays, finding scholarships and assisting with SAT studying. In addition to recruiting and training mentors, Jennifer will also address the issue of sustainability with the program by analyzing past data and assessments and updating materials, such as the mentor manual and website. Jennifer is also working closely with Lead Mentors to implement a yoUMAtter club UMA's campus in an effort to increase UMA students' involvement in the program.

Kerry Hafford – Eastern Maine Community College

Working with area high schools, Kerry is developing programming that assists first-generation college students with navigating the college application process. The programming educates high school students about higher education opportunities, provides assistance in filing the FAFSA application and coordinates campus tours. Kerry is also organizing practice placement tests for students and on-line tutorials for students wishing to improve their scores in various areas. As part of the programming, each student is matched with an EMCC student to help them through their journey in becoming college-ready.

Lauren Cappuccio – Southern Maine Community College

Lauren is recruiting and training SMCC students to serve as mentors in mentoring programs in the community. After identifying and partnering with community mentoring programs, Lauren is working with SMCC faculty to incorporate the mentoring programs into service-learning opportunities. In addition to community programs, Lauren is also recruiting and coordinating volunteers to participate in SMCC's existing programs that focus on increasing college aspirations. For students that have commitment restraints, Lauren is planning after-school programing that includes special events focusing on specific aspects in becoming college-ready.

Sarah Vazquez – Bates College

Working with the Harward Center for Student Involvement, the Downtown Education Center and the Lewiston Public Library, Sarah coordinates the homework-help program and plans youth enrichment activities at the Lewiston Public Library. She also is responsible to assess various programming at the Lewiston Library in order to integrate mentoring aspects to the existing program. Working with the Harward Center, Sarah will recruit, train and support Bates students to serve as mentors and as tutors.

Stacy Normand – University of Southern Maine

Stacy is recruiting USM students to serve in school-based after school programs, as well as provided training and resources to the student volunteers. Working closely with After School Program Directors in the community, Stacy trains volunteers in ways to effectively tutor K-12 students in the areas of reading, writing, a