Kevin Champagne

UConn School of Social Work

I was born in Willimantic, CT, and raised from age 3 in Baltic, CT, in a low SES family. A first-generation college student, I earned an associate’s degree in pathways to psychology and an associate’s degree in general studies at Quinebaug Valley Community College in 2021. I also earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies with a minor in psychology from UConn in 2023.

I volunteer at Community Kitchen feeding the food insecure and worked as an electrician for 34 years. I have worked as a resident assistant for individuals with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). I am currently interning at Community Renewal Team (CRT) in Hartford, working at McKinney Shelter.

I sought to volunteer with UST to learn how to work interdisciplinarily with other professions. I have worked construction and know the terms used by other construction trades and can communicate well with them all. I, however, do not know how to communicate using the terminology that health professionals use. I feel good communication among all health fields is the key to better health for our clients. The experience I will gain from UST will teach me the vital communication skills to use with other health professionals, allowing me to meet the needs of my clients more efficiently.

You are never too old to learn something new, but you can be too old to be uneducated. Get educated no matter your AGE!