Bates College | Student Perspectives

Part of what makes a Bates education great is its attention to diverse cultures. "There are a lot of classes that I want to take because they span across the major levels of learning," says Sonija Parson '06, of Washington, D.C. "It's not just like, white American history anymore --you're not learning just one side of things."

Sean Atkins '03 majored in African American studies. It was eye-opening, he says. "It was such a great opportunity to learn more about who I am and what my people went through."

Whatever the subject, faculty at Bates know how to connect with students. Cynthia Roman '05, a student of Asian and Hispanic descent from the Bronx, admires the engaging way one of her psychology professors teaches statistics. Assistant Professor Amy Bradfield "makes it a lot of fun," Roman says. "That's how you know when you have a good teacher. And she's one among many."

Of all Bates' qualities, though, multicultural students single out how friendly and welcoming the campus community is. "The people here are really, really nice," says Trang Tran '06, of Boston. "And it's genuine."

"It's very cool being here, because you can meet people from all different backgrounds," Parson adds. "And I feel like every person I've met, I have made a connection with." Lifelong friendships are part of the Bates experience, and alumni are known for their interest in the students who come along after them.

The friendly staff of the Multicultural Center make it a haven for students of all backgrounds. "It's like my second home," says Cynthia Freeman, a Navajo from Cameron, Arizona. Student organizations and activities also help ease the isolation of living in a rural, predominantly white state.

And close bonds with faculty are common With a 10-to-1 faculty-student ratio, professors have time for you. That's one important way to help students meet Bates' exacting academic challenges. (In fact, many students first publish their research as collaborators on faculty projects.) "Parson says.

The same is true for the deans. "At a small school like this, you really are able to get the help you need," says Tran.

In fact, great mentoring is a hallmark of the Bates education. Although Sean Atkins will be remembered as one of Bates' most exciting football stories -- the media covering his record-setting exploits even included ESPN -- he arrived at Bates with more confidence than ability, he says. Head coach Mark Harriman provided him with the discipline to grow into the player featured on ESPN's Hidden Video.

And Harriman didn't see Atkins simply as a uniform. "He cared about everything that was going on in my life, and we developed a great relationship," Atkins says.

Shazrai Meikle '03 came from the Bronx to Bates with his eye on Wall Street. But his advisor, Associate Professor John McClendon, challenged him to rethink his role in the world. "He opened up my eyes to a much larger picture," Meikel says -- "how things operate between the world and your position in life, and how you can make a change if you really want to."

"That's why you're in college, to open up your mind and develop new perspectives on isssues, people and life in general," Meikle says. "And if you're willing to do that, then Bates is definitely the experience for you.