How do you intersect with the First Year Experience?
- As Associate Dean for Residence Life & First-Year Experience, I co-lead the planning and implementation of everything related to new students’ first year on campus, in conjunction with my counterpart Assoc. Dean Mike Rocque.
What is one piece of advice each incoming student should hear?
- Don’t think that there’s a single path that you need to follow to succeed – a crucial part of coming to Bates is the experience of exploration. There may be things you never tried – or never had the opportunity to try – in high school. Try them! Especially in your first two years, take as many different subjects as you can, and engage with as many co-curricular activities as you can. Push yourself outside of your typical “comfort zone” – you may find a new lifelong passion, or lifelong friend!
What is your favorite Bates tradition?
- As someone who engages with students on the non-academic side of things, my favorite Bates tradition would have to be the Mount David Summit. This is a poster presentation and final project showcase for mostly seniors that happens at the end of winter semester every year. It helps ground me in why students come to Bates, and it’s very fulfilling to see students speaking so knowledgeably about subjects that go way over my head! I make it a point to attend every year.
What is one commons meal incoming students should try?
- My fave meal at Commons would have to be the spicy chicken, mashed potatoes, and broccoli. There’s just something about it that’s comforting and energizing all at the same time. To top it off, the mint chocolate bar always hits the spot.
Favorite place (besides Bates) in Lewiston/Auburn
- Absolutely DaVinci’s. It’s an incredible Italian restaurant; my fave meal to order is the cranberry walnut salad – and when you dine-in, they give you bottomless garlic knots!

Michael Rocque
Professor of Sociology and Associate Dean of the Faculty

Meet Michael!

How do you intersect with the First Year Experience?
- I am an Associate Dean of Faculty with the FYE team to help ensure students have the academic advising resources they need. I also help with the administrative process of registration and the first year seminar.
What is one piece of advice each incoming student should hear?
- You are never alone. There are loads of marvelous people here at Bates who are happy to connect with you and help make your transition to college as smooth as possible.
What is your favorite Bates tradition?
- Definitely the Puddle Jump, but the new maple syrup club has been making sweet liquid gold this year and I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with next season.
What is one commons meal incoming students should try?
- The hot and spicy chicken is too good to pass up!
Favorite place (besides Bates) in Lewiston/Auburn
- Lake Auburn is beautiful.

Kim Trauceniek
Senior Associate Dean of Students

Meet Kim!

How do you intersect with the First Year Experience?
- I have the privilege of serving as a Senior Associate Dean of Students who provides leadership and support for the FYE.
What is one piece of advice each incoming student should hear?
- Explore. Be willing to get outside of your comfort zone and take risks.
What is your favorite Bates tradition?
- Winter Carnival. I love the way the Bates Outing Club and Campus Activities and Traditions (CAT) come together to provide students with a week of fun events and traditions that bring the community together.
What is one commons meal incoming students should try?
- I love the pickles that Jason makes for the vegan bar.
Favorite place (besides Bates) in Lewiston/Auburn
- The Italian Bakery. I love the “real” Italian sandwich and they also make pepperoni bread!

Catie Luedee
Associate Director of Outdoor Education & Programs

Meet Catie!

How do you intersect with the First Year Experience?
- I oversee AESOP. AESOP is an integral part of the First Year Experience as it is the first real opportunity for students to connect with their peers through small-group experiences designed to foster community and enduring friendships.
What is one piece of advice each incoming student should hear?
- Take healthy risks! Try new things and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
What is your favorite Bates tradition?
- Puddle Jump…. need I say more?
What is one commons meal incoming students should try?
- Vegan bean burritos. Period.
Favorite place (besides Bates) in Lewiston/Auburn
- Riverlands State Park (technically in Turner but such a great spot)

Luke Allen
Coordinator of Campus Life Programming and First-Year Experience

Meet Luke!

How do you intersect with the First Year Experience?
- I oversee the Orientation Week Leaders (OWLS) who provide resources during orientation and host late night programming. Throughout the academic year, I work with campus partners to create and run programs catered towards first year students.
What is one piece of advice each incoming student should hear?
- My student employees often say, “You are never too cool to participate in a Bates event,” and they are right! The Bates community is full of events and activities, and you should not be afraid to dive right in, even if it may feel a little embarrassing.
What is your favorite Bates tradition?
- I love Halloween at Bates! Between the Harward Center’s community trick-or-treating event, the school wide Halloween dance that I oversee, and the Bates Musicians Union’s cover band filled Halloween Bash, there is something for everyone!
What is one commons meal incoming students should try?
- As a student, I loved the country-fried steak (and still do!), but I have recently developed an appreciation for the chicken scallion sauté.
Favorite place (besides Bates) in Lewiston/Auburn
- If I am looking for a meal, I will go with J&H Pizza. If I am looking to pass the time, I will go to Doug and Dan’s Gaming and Hobbies.

Marc Muro
Residence Life Area Coordinator

Meet Marc!

How do you intersect with the First Year Experience?
- As an Area Coordinator, I am part of an on-call rotation system that works closely with supporting students during the after hours and meeting them where they are at. I also directly supervise some of the Junior Advisors in the first-year housing.
What is one piece of advice each incoming student should hear?
- It is always okay to ask for help. Bates is full of amazing resources that are easily and readily accessible to all students on campus, and everyone should take advantage of them throughout their college career.
What is your favorite Bates tradition?
- The Harvest Fest is a great time to see the Bates Community come together in Commons like one big happy family!
What is one commons meal incoming students should try?
- The Chicken Crispitos are always a fun favorite, but the mozzarella sticks at the Den during late-night weekends always hit the spot!
Favorite place (besides Bates) in Lewiston/Auburn
- My favorite place in the Lewiston/Auburn area would have to be Flagship Cinema.