SPARQ Peer Advisors

SPARQ Peer Advisors logo

SPARQ Peer Advisors are Bates College students who are trained and continuously learning and improving their skills to provide personal, social, and academic support to students who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, students who may be exploring their sexual or gender identity and students who identify as an ally.

SPARQ Peer Advisors work during the academic year (Fall Semester, Winter Semester)

Do you have personal and professional goals that you would like to work towards with a Peer Advisor as a guide? If you want to be matched with a SPARQ Peer Advisor, fill out an interest form.

SPARQ Peer Advisors Roles

  • Host weekly drop-in sessions in the designated Drop-in space (up to 4 hours/week)
  • Serve as a mentor and advisor to student peers who are seeking support around identities and experiences as it pertains to gender and sexuality. 
  • Help to plan, design and participate in events and outreach opportunities related to LGBTQ+ identities and experiences
  • Recognize and appropriately maintain anonymity and confidentiality and refer students to appropriate on-campus resources
  • Promote and attend SPARQ and SCBC events throughout the academic year
  • Work collaboratively with other SPARQ Peer Advisors, SCBC professional staff, other SCBC student staff, as well as other campus constituents
  • Serve as a role model and representative of SPARQ within the SCBC and across campus
  • Attend supervision check-ins with supervisor (minimum of 30 min, bi-weekly)
  • Attend scheduled weekly SPARQ team meetings (1 hour)
  • Attend and complete Bates Leads Student Leader trainings and ongoing training/personal development throughout the academic year

There are three new tracks within the overall SPARQ Peer Advisor role. Please see the drop-boxes below to learn more about each role

The Collaboration & Spirit Peer Advisor is a student role that is responsible for considering intentional, unique and cross-collaborative initiatives for LGBTQ+ students across the campus. In this role, the Collaboration & Spirit Peer Advisor will think critically about what resources, both on and off campus, that will be helpful to connect LGBTQ+ students to, share the resources, and consider creative ways to get these resources to students.

  • Role Specific Projects:
    • 2 educational sessions (2 each semester)
    • 2 community speakers (1 each semester)
    • Sex Week Workshop (March, Winter Semester)

The Education & Harmony Peer Advisor is a student role that is responsible for recruiting, facilitating and hosting monthly community circles that are intended to bring perspective and awareness of LGBTQ+ identities and experiences. The Education & Harmony Peer Advisors will also consider a community survey and facilitate workshops with the intent to learn more about the needs of the community as it relates to gender and sexuality. 

  • Role Specific Projects:
    • Monthly Advisory Board meetings (3 each semester)
    • Community survey/feedback form
    • Student Active Ally Workshop (1 each semester)

The Liberation and Healing Peer Advisor is a student role that is responsible for creating intentional and educational opportunities that bring awareness to trans and nonbinary identities and experiences. The Liberation & Healing Peer Advisor will also be responsible for managing the Queer Closet, including creative activities to recruit items for the closet, expansion, and maintenance of its resources. 

  • Role Specific Projects:
    • Queer Closet (recruitment and maintenance)
    • Trans Awareness Week (Week of events)
    • Trans Day of Remembrance (Event or speaker)
    • Trans Day of Visibility (Event or speaker)

Meet the 2026 – 2027 SPARQ Peer Advisors

Kim, Peer Advisor

Kim (she/they)
Peer Advisor – Special Projects

Class of 2027
Major(s): Psychology
Minor(s): Gender and Sexuality Studies (GSS)

[Kim is studying abroad in Fall 26, and return in Winter 27]

Hi! My name is Kim. I’m a first-gen student and I am from Phoenix, Arizona.

I like to fill my free time with music, watching movies/shows, being outdoors, and using creative outlets in general to recharge.

Feel free to to reach out or visit during my drop-in hours for any questions or just to chat!

Alina, Peer Advisor

Alina (she/her)
Peer Advisor – Special Projects

Class of 2028
Major(s): Digital and Computational Studies (DCS) & Psychology
Minor(s): Education

[Alina will be around in Fall ’26 and studying abroad in Winter ’27]

I’m an 2nd year and international student from Kazakhstan.

I love to be active and outdoorsy (biking, running, hiking and all of that). I am in club soccer and club volleyball so really into sports. Love social gatherings, connections, deep conversations on a random Tuesday night and exploring Maine with my friends.

Don’t hesitate to reach out and I d love to meet yall!!

SPARQ logo

Olivia (she/her)
Peer Advisor – Special Projects


Class of 2028
Major(s): Africana
General Education Concentration(s): Psychology & Philosophy

[Olivia will be studying abroad in Fall ’26 and will return in Winter ’27]

Rosina, SPARQ Peer Advisor

Rosina (she/her)

Class of 2026
Major(s): Biology and History
General Education Concentration(s): Chinese

I am from Arusha, Tanzania.

I’m an avid tea & coffee drinker, so in my free time you’ll probably find me cuddled up with a mug and book. I’m happy to talk about anything and everything so please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. 🙂