mabdi3@bates.edu
207.786.5980

Bio

I am ethnically Somali but was born in Kenya and then came to the United States when I was eleven. Two years later, my family decided to move to Lewiston, Maine and we have been here since. Growing up in Maine with multiple identities has not been easy. Floating in between – never feeling fully “American” or “Somali” – has led me to seek out and support others who may feel different or “othered” in their communities. I firmly believe that we all have the right to have a sense of belonging.

I attended the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) and earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and International and Global Studies. It was at UMF, that I found the power of my voice. I realized nobody else was coming to change things on campus and it was up to people like me to build an environment where all students would have the same opportunities for success. This realization led me to create initiatives and programming to bring awareness to campus culture in the areas of equity, inclusion, and diversity. My greatest achievement was spearheading the creation of the Diversity and Inclusion Action Team, a task force of students, staff and faculty working together to address the needs of students of color.

As a working professional and community member, I have continued to educate and advocate for social justice and equity. At Disability Rights Maine (DRM), I advocated for and provided essential resources to individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. In my role as the Vice President of the Maine Youth Network, my focus is to uplift and empower youth who share my experience as a refugee. Like the mission and work of the organization, I am passionate about providing immigrant children and young adults the necessary tools to compete
and succeed in life.

My professional goals and personal vision are one in the same – creating a just, safe, sustainable, and collaborative community. I am thrilled to join the Bates community and assist students in the Office of Intercultural Education and across the campus in embracing their many identities and strengths to carve out their own unique path to success.

Primary Responsibilities in OIE

• Supervise OIE Peer Educators to assist with programs and to staff the OIE space
• Develop the OIE staffing schedule, ensuring availability and accessibility of professional staff and student staff
• Manage OIE room reservation requests
• Serve as an advisor and mentor to students who seek assistance, and connect them to necessary college resources
• Collaborate with OIE colleagues to design and implement BIPOC, first generation, and LGBTQ+ student programs

adelreal@bates.edu
207.755.5984

Bio

Hi all, I am an openly queer, 3rd generation chicano from East Los Angeles, CA. I graduated from James A. Garfield High School, a school which you might recognize if you saw the 1988 film, “Stand and Deliver”. I received a BA in Ethnic Studies from UC San Diego and MA in Education from San Diego State University. I am proud to call myself a queer chicano, but it was not always that way. I did not grow up speaking Spanish like so many of my friends and extended family, which led to a lot of questioning and shame of who I am and where I truly belong. In addition to this experience, I also was learning to navigate and embrace who I was as a queer person. It has taken a lot of growth, therapy and self-love to get to where I am but I can honestly say I am loving who I am and where I am going.

I made the move to the east coast at the end of 2015, where I worked for a local nonprofit program and served as a provider and mentor to Boston-based BIPoC LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. It was through my work here that I gained access to practices that continue to influence my purpose and direction. These practices include social emotional learning, positive-youth development, strengths-based approach, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care. In 2021, I made the transition to higher education to continue my LGBTQ+ work, but this time with a student-focused lens.

I enjoy playing video games where Pokemon, Overwatch, and Final Fantasy take up spots as some of my faves. When not gaming, I enjoy movies and tv; some of my faves include: Bob’s Burgers, Steven Universe, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Bee and Puppycat. I am also intrigued by paranormal and mystery/crime shows. Astrologically, I am a Leo Sun, Gemini Rising and Sagittarius Moon. I love cats, I can’t get enough of those faces and toe-beans! Speaking of beans, I also really like coffee. You will more than likely see me around sporting my LA Dodgers cap.

Primary Responsibilities in OIE

• Design, collaborate and implement educational and community building programming for LGBTQ+ students and their allies
• Collaborate with and advise the SPARQ Peer Mentors
• Serve as an advisor to students seeking assistance; refer and connect them to necessary college resources
• Hold drop-in office hours at the OIE

tpullen@bates.edu
207.755.5907

Bio

With over seventeen years in higher education, Tatiana comes from Central Maine Community College’s (CMCC) TRIO Program, where she started as a TRIO Retention and Transfer Advisor in the fall of 2020, and later became the Associate Director for the program. Within the TRIO program, she assisted students who were first-generation, met income guidelines, and/or had a documented disability. In addition to providing academic, transfer, and career guidance, she also assisted with coordinating workshops, summer programming, as well as cultural activities.

Before joining CMCC, Tatiana worked at St. Thomas University in Miami, FL, where she accrued experience in coordinating tutoring and testing services, managing the dual enrollment program, and serving as an academic advisor. She is also an alumnus of St. Thomas University, having earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from there. Tatiana was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Having lived in areas with tropical climates prior to moving to Maine, she is actively embracing the colder weather by participating in winter activities with her husband and two young children.

Primary Responsibilities in OIE

• Help to implement and assess programming for First-Generation Students
• Co-advise the First-Generation Peer Mentors
• Serve as a Student Support Advisor and an informal advisor to all students who seek support through the OIE