Being at Bates Panels
Some things you might be wondering about your future at Bates is:
- What resources and community exist for people like me?
- What is it like to experience Bates for people with my interests or background?
- How will I fit in?
In conjunction with partners from all over campus, the First-Year Experience Team invites you to start finding answers to these questions and more by attending a Being at Bates Panel. These panels feature key Bates community members including current students – and sometimes alums! – people who have experienced the day-to-day trials and triumphs of, well, being at Bates. Check out our panels this summer below:
Monday, August 3 at 7:00pm ET
Being at Bates: Preparing for Your Bates Student-Athlete Experience
Join members of the Bates Athletics community for a virtual panel designed to help incoming first-year student-athletes prepare for their transition to Bates. You’ll hear from Athletics leadership, current student-athletes, and staff as they share insights on navigating the transition to college, building community, balancing academics and athletics, and making the most of your first year at Bates. The session will conclude with a live Q&A, providing an opportunity to ask questions before arriving on campus.
Panelists include:
Stacey Bunting, Director of Athletics
Will Rothermel, Deputy AD
Adrienne Shibles, Associate AD
Kate DeZenzo – Senior Athletic Trainer
Tia Day -Coordinator of Athletics Marketing and Promotion
Benji Richards ’27 – Men’s Rowing
Nora Gilmer ’28 – Volleyball
Past Panels
Monday, June 29 at 7:00pm ET
Being at Bates: BIPOC Students
Are you interested in learning about what community and support for BIPOC students is on campus? Are you hoping to connect with and create community with other new BIPOC students? Come meet with staff and student leaders to build community and get your questions answered. This meetup is hosted by Tonya Bailey, Associate Dean of Students and Director of the Student Center for Community & Belonging.
Tuesday, June 30 at 7:00pm ET
Being at Bates: First-Generation Students
The First-Generation Programs at Bates support students who will be among the first in their family to complete a Bachelor’s (four-year) degree. We host events, workshops, programs, and more to support students navigate college, with the goals of empower student success and building community. If the First-Gen Programs sound helpful to you, we encourage you to join this Being at Bates panel for incoming first-gen students hosted by the First-Gen Programs team: Misa Beltran-Guzman, Kayla Bridgeman, and Bianca Vega. This will be a great opportunity to break the ice with fellow incoming first-gen students and get some practical advise on preparing for your first semester of college. Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, July 7 at 7:00pm ET
Being at Bates: Club Sports, Intramurals, and Recreation
Join us for an engaging panel exploring the wide range of recreation, intramural and club sports, fitness programs, and wellness opportunities available to Bates students. Learn how these activities foster a welcoming, inclusive environment that promotes physical activity, well-being, leadership, and healthy competition for all skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just looking to unwind, stay active, and connect with others, this session will highlight how to make the most of your college experience. Co-hosted by Scott Lehmann, Associate Director of Athletics, Mike Milliken, Manager of Community Wellness & Coordinator of Club Sports, and Logan Nichols, Coordinator of Athletic Events and Intramurals.
Tuesday, July 14 at 7:00pm ET
Being at Bates: LGBTQ+ Students
Belonging at Bates means being able to show up as you are and knowing that you matter. Join this panel and hear from current students who identify as LGBTQ+ or an active ally and learn about what being a part of this community can look like, how to connect with other LGBTQ+ peers, and building a network that can help you feel like Bates is your second home. This meetup is hosted by Anthony Del Real, Assistant Director of LGBTQ+ Programs and Britney Mitchell, SCBC Coordinator for Events and Social Media.