Meet Our Team
Fagan Forhan, Dean of K-12 Partnerships and Civic Engagement
As a 1998 graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a degree in Psychology, Fagan has consistently and passionately been involved in many facets of community service and has served on numerous boards and committees. Before coming to the Center in 2006, Fagan worked for six years with the Massachusetts State Legislature as Chief of Staff for former State Rep. Brian Knuuttila as a liaison for local nonprofits and constituents. In her current role, Fagan provides strategic direction and oversight of implementation of all Center programs, including AmeriCorps Job Ready and United Way Youth Venture of North Central Massachusetts, as well as providing oversight and program development/structure for internships and service learning and career placement. Fagan assists community-based supervisors in developing meaningful and reciprocal student placements and works with faculty to integrate service learning and civic engagement projects into curricula that benefit our greater community and provide students with practical experience.
Rachel Vargeletis-Peguero, Director
In her current role as Director of the United Way Youth Venture program, Rachel contributes to the MWCC Brewer Center’s efforts to spark entrepreneurial spirit in young people and cultivate their inspiring self-directed community Ventures. She is responsible for oversight of the program ensuring delivery of high-quality programming to nearly 15,000 area youth; providing support for 17 partnering organizations; and facilitating spread of the UWYV program nationally through other local United Way organizations.
Rachel has a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Fitchburg State University. She has previously worked on the UWYV team as an Outreach Liaison, Outreach Specialist, and completed a year of service as a Commonwealth Corps member with UWYV in 2019. Rachel returned to us in 2023 as a licensed social worker after working for the Department of Children and Families, bringing with her a keen insight and knowledge on student’s social and emotional development and mental wellbeing. Her work experience includes business ownership, leadership positions in civic engagement, retail management, social services, teaching, and digital marketing. Rachel also has had the privilege to volunteer with many meaningful organizations over the years including Habitat for Humanity Restore, Ginny’s Helping Hand, Athol Public Schools, and the MWCC Students Serving our Students (SOS) office.
Rachel lives in Gardner with her husband and 2 pups, and enjoys spending her free time reading, buying more plants (shhh), hiking, being outside, or hanging out with friends and family.
rvargeletis@mwcc.mass.edu | 978-630-9471