Online Program Peer Support Sessions
Looking for additional connection, community, and encouragement? Join one (or more!) of the Peer Support Sessions in the virtual OLP Student Lounge and meet your peer mentors featured below. Our BUSSW peer mentors are ready to offer guidance, support, and connection to fellow OLP students. While peer mentors won’t provide tutoring, counseling, or academic advising, they are here to be a valuable resource for you through sharing their wisdom and experience, directing you to resources, and offering words of encouragement.
All peer support sessions meet on the second Sunday of each month from 5:00-6:00 PM ET in the virtual BUSSW OLP Student Lounge
- October 11
- November 8
- December 13
Chiara Albanese (she/her)
Major: Clinical – Trauma, Violence & Justice Specialization – Macro Minor
Track: Traditional Track
Chiara is currently pursuing her MSW with the intention of specializing in the prevention and treatment of trauma. She brings a blend of research expertise and passion for social justice to the program. With a background in psychology and gender studies, she has spent the last several years conducting qualitative research focused on healthcare, particularly working with vulnerable populations including veterans, survivors of human trafficking, and patients with rare diseases. Chiara is currently doing her advanced field placement at The Dorm, an intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization program for young adults. When she’s not diving into research or coursework, she loves taking a long walk, listening to audiobooks, and eating all of the delicious food DC has to offer. She’s excited to connect with fellow students and learn from their backgrounds and experiences!
Top 5
Hobby: Reading (on the beach if I can swing it)
Food: Pad Thai
Song: Dancing Queen
Book: Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed
Quote: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ― Maya Angelou
Olivia Leake (she/they)
Major: Macro
Track: Traditional Track
Olivia is in her 5th semester in the Online MSW program, transitioning to social work and policy after studying music (specifically the oboe). From the Alexandria, Virginia (DC Metro Area), Olivia is currently completing her macro social work placement with We Will All Rise, a nonprofit dedicated to cultivating the talents and potential of young men of color. She supports the organization’s work through research, program development, and resource creation. Olivia is very interested in public policy and is still exploring which policy area she would like to pursue, though she is currently leaning toward healthcare and/or human rights policy. Additionally, this fall she is gaining experience in advocacy and public policy through internships with Public Citizen’s Congress Watch Division and the City of Alexandria (VA) Mayor’s Office. Olivia chose to become a peer mentor because she remembers what it is like to navigate a new program and wants to help other students get started, as well as build connections within the BUSSW community. Outside of social work, Olivia is an avid animal lover and has two cats of her own, Pumpkin and Peanut. She also has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in oboe performance, making her journey from music to macro social work a somewhat unexpected one!
Top 5
Hobby: Watching true crime documentaries/podcasts and building legos
Food: Pretty much anything, but I love pasta — I’m definitely a foodie!
Song: “The Cure” by Olivia Rodrigo, although I love pretty much all of her music
Book: The Hunger Games series
Quote: “Speak your mind even if your voice shakes.” — Maggie Kuhn
Alyssa Murphy
Major: Clinical- Trauma, Violence & Justice specialization
Track: Traditional Track
Alyssa comes to the BUSSW Online MSW Program from a career in accounting for a second act that aligns more with her values and priorities as her life has evolved. Her foundation field placement was at an aging services agency in Mass., supporting adults 60+ that were generally resistant to supportive services. Alyssa’s advanced placement is with an outpatient group practice providing virtual-only telehealth services to clients. She hopes to specialize in couples work, as well as supporting individuals experiencing fertility concerns, with the goal of eventually working in private practice. Outside of the program, Alyssa loves to read romance, psychological thrillers, snuggle with her two goldendoodles, and spend time with her husband, stepdaughter, family and friends. In the spring, she coaches girls lacrosse for a local high school. Alyssa tries to avoid watching TV, but most of the popular current shows suck her in and she is on her infinity watch of Gilmore Girls. She is located in central Massachusetts. Alyssa remembers what it feels like to see the vast program plan, internship, job(s), and life in front of her and appreciates the connection to the program she gets through her role as a peer mentor.
Top 5
Hobby: Reading paperbacks, hardcovers, audiobooks, e-reader books and anything I can get my hands on, and diamond painting
Food: Poke bowls
Song: You and Me On The Rock – Brandi Carlile
Book: Anxious People – Fredrik Backman and/or The Collected Regrets of Clover – Mikki Brammer
Quote: “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” – Haruki Murakami