Meet the Coordinators
AESOP is student-led with support from the Office of Campus Life. We are free to explore new trip ideas and keep the program fresh and student-focused! We love our school and we love what we do: a wonderful combination that allows us to infuse our own joy about AESOP, Bates, Maine, and Lewiston into the beginning of your four years here.
We are dedicated to making this the best AESOP possible! We work steadily throughout the school year to prepare for the upcoming AESOP program and will work continuously throughout the summer in preparation for your arrival on campus in August. We look forward to meeting each of you and hope you are all excited about coming to Bates. If you have any questions, feel free to email us at aesop@bates.edu. We’ll answer your questions as quickly as possible, but bear in mind that there are many of you and only a few of us, so please be patient!
Sam Rice ’26 – Head Coordinator
Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC
What AESOP did you participate in as a First-Year?
Grafton Backpacking
What’s up Bobcats! I’m so so excited for y’all to kick off your Bates careers with AESOP! AESOP is such a great way to get to know smaller communities within Bates and take the pressure off of transitioning into college. It’s such a fun experience getting to explore Maine and create close bonds with new people and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.
A bit about me: I grew up in North Carolina loving the outdoors and wanting it to be accessible to anyone. I chose Bates because of its closeness to the outdoors and beautiful cities and I have LOVED it so far. I am a history major and a DCS minor here at school. On campus you will most likely find me hanging out with friends in Commons or playing frisbee with the Bates Coldfront frisbee team. Off campus, I’m usually wandering about Freeport, ME (my favorite city here) or skiing at Sunday River.
Maine truly has SO much to offer, from it’s mountains to its cities and beaches, and I can’t wait for y’all to get the chance to see it and begin your journey here at Bates. Get pumped!!!
Sivani Arvapalli ’26 – Head Coordinator
Hometown: South Windsor, CT
What AESOP did you participate in as a First-Year?
Mt Blue Basecamping
Hey y’all, I am so excited to meet all of you and embark on the AESOP journey with you. I can’t wait for you all to explore the beauty of Maine and feel at home. I fell in love with the small close-knit community offered at Bates and loved the nature of Maine. I’m a biochemistry major with an anthropology minor and concentration in public health. I hope to become a dentist one day. On campus, I am involved in various clubs and activities.
As the manager of campus activities and traditions, I plan and organize the dances. I can be found in admissions as a tour guide or in Tarbell Pool as a member of the water polo team. I am also a board member for the Chem Society club and Public Health Initiative. In my free time I love to spend time with my family and friends, read new books, and try new restaurants (I even have a food review instagram account). I am so excited for everyone to come to Bates and be a apart of this amazing community.
Maine is unbelievably beautiful and a great place to call your new home. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions through gmail (sarvapalli@bates.edu). I can’t wait for y’all to come to Bates!!
Ty Stearns ’26 – Head Coordinator
Hometown: Walpole, MA
What AESOP did you participate in as a First-Year?
Acadia Adventure
Hey everyone and welcome incoming Bobcats! I’m so excited to be a part of your AESOP experience. AESOP is not only one of the best ways to kick off your college career, but also an opportunity to build amazing friendships and lasting memories.
I grew up in Walpole, Massachusetts, a small town not too far from Boston. When it came to college, I knew I wanted to experience something new and fresh. Bates offered this fresh start, along with an uncanny friendliness that you experience as soon as you step on campus, so I knew it was the perfect place for me.
I’m a Politics major and a History minor, so hopefully you’ll see me in class this fall! When I’m not studying, you can most likely find me performing with the Manic Optimists acapella group, going to Mass with the Bates Catholic Students Union, or hanging out in Commons chatting with friends!
I can’t wait for all of you to experience AESOP, there is truly no better way to experience Maine and the amazing Bates community for the first time.