The department is excited to introduce our spring 2026 cohort of Philosophy Ambassadors, Hannah Brown, Marguerita Fairfield, Margaret Kastelein, Sophie Thieme, and Wyatt Perron. The Philosophy Ambassadorships support the Department and extend our presence and impact beyond The Maples. To this end, Ambassadors engage in various activities while representing the Department to the broader university community. The program is made possible by the generous support of two former faculty members, Ronald Levinson and Doug Allen. Applications are open for positions in the upcoming Fall 2026 semester. Candidates must be a Philosophy major or minor, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. If you are interested, please reach out to Jen Bowen for further information on how to apply. Our current ambassadors support classes and are engaged in nuanced philosophical work beyond the classroom- learn more about each of them below!
Sophie Thieme
Sophie is a fourth-year student double-majoring in Philosophy and Psychology with a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. This particular combination of disciplines allows them to pursue a holistic investigation of what it means to be a person. They are interested in applying philosophy to contemporary issues such as gender, health, and discrimination. Once they graduate, Sophie plans to earn their cosmetology degree and move abroad. In their free time, they enjoy building connections with people, wandering around outdoors, creating with their hands, watching video essays, and hyperfixating on strange things (Chernobyl was a big one). During the Fall semester, Sophie assisted Dr. Finley with PHI 250: Logic, and this Spring, they have been helping with PHI 222: Philosophy of Games. Feel free to stop by the Levinson Room to chat with them about life or whatever is on your mind.
Wyatt Perron
Wyatt is a fourth-year student double majoring in Philosophy and Psychology with minors Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Film. His main philosophical interest is phenomenology, specifically delving into the experience of connectedness and loneliness. As a Philosophy Ambassador, Wyatt will serve as a learning assistant for Dr. Breslau’s PHI 235 : Biomedical Ethics and PHI 262 : Philosophy of Art, along with Dr. Michaud’s PHI 100 : Contemporary Moral Problems. He has also been awarded fellowships with both McGillicuddy Humanities Center and CUGR, working on a project entitled Posing In Bondage : A Phenomenological Investigation Into The Male Loneliness Epidemic. He is also the president of both the Philosophy Club and Dwell. In his free time, he watches far too many movies, crochets, and runs.
Hannah Brown
Hannah is a fourth year philosophy student with a broad range of philosophical interests. She is looking forward to helping in whatever way she can as a learning assistant in PHI 102: Introduction to Philosophy. Outside of class she likes to listen to ambient witch music, go on walks, grow oyster mushrooms, hang out with friends, and watch documentaries.
Maggie Kastelein
Maggie Kastelein is a senior majoring in Philosophy with a minor in History. As a Philosophy Ambassador she provides support for PHI 104: Existentialism and Literature, as well as the Democracy Forum Series organized by former professor Doug Allen. Her philosophical interests focus mainly on Philosophy of Media, specifically the way we interact with and are influenced by art, digital media, film, and music. Outside of school she enjoys listening to music, going to museums as much as possible, and fixing up her old car.
Marguerita Fairfield
Marguerita is a fourth year Philosophy and WGS student, with a minor in creative writing. She is in the Honors College and is currently writing her thesis in feminist philosophy. She is the president of Women in Philosophy and the secretary of UMaine’s Triota chapter. She is also the 2025 recipient of the Erling Skorpen Prize Memorial in Ethics. Her philosophical interests include phenomenology, existentialism, ethics, feminist philosophy and gender theory. Marguerita is known less formally as Mars, and is usually full of whimsy (when the sun is out). She is always happy to listen to and get to know others.
