Masonicare Celebrates Students-in-Residence

Mengwasser and Ana JimenezBaez '28 spent the fall and spring semesters caring for residents at Masonicare at Greenridge Place, a senior living community in Rocky Hill, Conn. The two University of Hartford students, along with others from Quinnipiac University and the University of New Haven, were treated to a farewell party and received mementos of their experience from grateful residents and Masonicare staff.

Mengwasser, a health science major, and JimenezBaez, who's studying radiologic technology, lived and had meals at Masonicare, conducting at least eight hours of programming. They also had one-on-one coaching and networking opportunities with Masonicare leaders.

It was a unique, hands-on opportunity to acquire valuable career experience outside the classroom. But the students say their favorite moments were just being present with the residents.

"Sitting with them at breakfast, lunch, and dinner," said JimenezBaez. "Talking about your day. Those moments always mean a lot."

"Little moments that build up over time," Mengwasser agreed. "Like when you walk outside in the morning and see the same people and they always stop to say hi and ask what you're doing for the day. Those catch-ups mean a lot and you feel closer and closer."

The University has a longstanding partnership with Masonicare, and many of its senior leaders are alumni-including President and Chief Executive Officer Jon-Paul Venoit '96. This was the first year that UHart participated in the Students-in-Residence program, but it won't be the last; two more students have been chosen to participate in the 2026-27 school year.

At the farewell celebration, Claudia Oakes, associate professor of health sciences, thanked everyone at Masonicare for making the opportunity available for UHart students. "It's our goal in higher ed to show our students the world," she said, "but this experience isn't something you can do in the classroom, so I'm so grateful to all of you for making this happen."