Senior Leadership Team
Leana E. Amáez
Vice President for Equity and Inclusion
207-786-6032
lamaez@bates.edu
Lane Hall, Room 201
2 Andrews Road
Lewiston, Maine 04240
As vice president for equity and inclusion, Leana works with colleagues across campus to develop and implement a strategic framework for equity and inclusion at Bates, designed to ensure that the college’s commitment to equity and inclusion is reflected authentically in campus culture, policies, and practices. She directs the Office of Equity and Inclusion, oversees the development of equity education at Bates, and serves as a resource for colleagues working with faculty, students, staff, and alumni to advance equity and inclusion efforts in their specific areas. Prior to Bates, Leana spent eight years at Bowdoin College as associate dean of students for diversity, equity and inclusion. She has also led diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at an international insurance company and at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Leana began her career as a public defender in the Bronx, and later directed pro bono services for Maine’s civil legal service provider, Pine Tree Legal Assistance. Originally from New York, Leana earned a B.A. in Latin American studies from Wesleyan University and a J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.
Rosanna Ferro
Vice President for Student Affairs
207-786-6219
rferro@bates.edu
Chase Hall, Room G14
35 Campus Avenue
Lewiston, Maine 04240
Rosanna Ferro leads the Student Affairs division comprising 13 campus life and student services departments including accessible education, athletics and recreation, community standards, counseling and psychological services, health education and wellness programs, health services, international student programs, off-campus study and study abroad, Purposeful Work, residential life and housing, campus safety, and student activities.
Prior to Bates, Ferro served as inaugural chief of education at College Track, a comprehensive college access and completion organization. She has served in leadership roles at Rutgers University, Williams College, and Ithaca College, where she was vice president for student affairs and campus life.
Ferro earned a doctorate, master’s degree in social work, and bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University.
Eric F. Foushée
Vice President for College Advancement
207-786-5985
efoushee@bates.edu
Lane Hall, Room 312A
2 Andrews Road
Lewiston, Maine 04240
Eric Foushée oversees alumni relations, parent engagement and all development functions including organizational and athletic support. He came to Bates in 2014 and has 25 years of advancement experience, previously serving as Director of Development at the Cincinnati Country Day School and as the Executive Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving at Bowdoin College. He served as the Chair of the Mentor Program for C.A.S.E. District I Conferences and has been a presenter at S.T.A.F.F., N.E.A.R, and MaGIC conferences. Prior to his work in advancement, Eric was a teacher and coach at Ransom Everglades School, Kinkaid School, and Hebron Academy. Eric earned his B.A. in Government and Legal Studies from Bowdoin College and an M.A. in Art History from Southern Methodist University.
Kristen A. Lainsbury
Vice President for Communications and Marketing
207-786-6330
klainsbury@bates.edu
Lane Hall
2 Andrews Road
Lewiston, Maine 04240
Kristen Lainsbury oversees the development, implementation and refinement of integrated marketing and communications strategies at Bates College. In close partnership with the Bates Communications Office team and many campus stakeholders, Kristen works to tell the Bates story in compelling, innovative and impactful ways to internal and external audiences. Kristen came to Bates from Earlham College, where she served as vice president for marketing and communications since 2021. She previously held progressively senior marketing and communications roles at Providence College in Rhode Island and the University of Maine in Orono, where she was a co-author of The Blue Sky Plan. Kristen has a consistent record of helping campus partners reach and exceed their goals for admission, fundraising and constituent engagement. Before moving into higher education, Lainsbury spent more than a decade as a feature writer and columnist for the Bangor Daily News. She earned her B.A. in journalism from the University of Maine.
Joanne K. Roberts
Vice President for Academic Affairs and
Dean of the Faculty; Professor of Economics
207-786-6066
jroberts@bates.edu
Lane Hall, Room 120
2 Andrews Road
Lewiston, Maine 04240
Joanne Roberts joins Bates College in the summer of 2025 and oversees the academic mission of the institution. As the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty, her oversight includes the faculty and staff within Bates academic departments and programs. Joanne’s responsibility branches beyond the academic programs to include Bates College Museum of Art, Bates Dance Festival, Harward Center for Community Partnerships, the Office of the Registrar and Academic Systems, the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance, and the Peer Learning Commons. Joanne joins Bates from Yale-National University of Singapore (NUS) where she served as President, Executive Vice President, and Dean of the Faculty. Joanne earned her B.A. in Economics from the University of Waterloo, and her Ph.D. and M.A. in Economics both from Queen’s University.
Patricia A. Schoknecht
Vice President for Information and Library Services
and College Librarian
207-786-6260
pschokne@bates.edu
Ladd Library
48 Campus Avenue
Lewiston, Maine 04240
Pat Schoknecht has been the Vice President for Information & Library Services and the College Librarian since 2018. She works with the entire Bates community to provide services that meet the ever-changing needs of today’s students, faculty and staff. Prior to Bates, Pat was the Chief Information Officer and Assistant Vice President for Business Services at Rollins College, arriving in 2009. She has also served as the Director of Information Technology at Wagner College from 2005-2009 and was the founding Director of the Center for Teaching, Learning & Technology at the University of Richmond from 2000-2005. Pat began her professional career as a faculty member at Rutgers University after completing her Ph.D. at Cornell University and a USDA post-doc at the Children’s Nutrition Research Center.
Geoffrey S. Swift
Vice President for Finance and Administration
and Treasurer
207-753-6932
gswift@bates.edu
Lane Hall, Room 216
2 Andrews Road
Lewiston, Maine 04240
Geoff Swift joined the Bates staff in 2014 to oversee the finance, facilities, dining and human resource functions at the college, including oversight of the annual budget process and the production of annual audited financial reports. He came to Bates after 10 years at Harvard University where he spent five years as the budget director at the Harvard Business School before moving to Harvard Law School for more than five years as the associate dean for finance and the chief financial officer. In roles outside of higher education, Geoff worked in economic consulting and merchant banking. He earned his B.A. from Amherst College and his MBA from Harvard Business School.
Leigh A. Weisenburger
Vice President for Institutional Affairs
and Secretary to the Board of Trustees
207-786-6103
lweisenb@bates.edu
Lane Hall, Room 214C
2 Andrews Road
Lewiston, Maine 04240
Leigh Weisenburger oversees and supports a variety of institutional initiatives and projects on behalf of the President. As secretary to the Board of Trustees, she facilitates the strategic planning and execution of the Board’s priorities. Prior to joining the Office of the President, Leigh worked in Admission for more than 20 years. She joined Bates Admission in 2004 and was appointed dean of admission and financial aid in 2012 – the first woman to serve in that role. Promoted to vice president of enrollment in 2021, Leigh led a team of 30 colleagues through a period of heightened national reputation and remarkable enrollment success for Bates – repeatedly breaking application records, increasing selectivity, and broadening demographic diversity. A graduate of Smith College, Leigh majored in American Studies, captained the lacrosse team and played field hockey. Dedicated to many vital Maine institutions and organizations, Leigh is treasurer of the YWCA of Central Maine’s board of directors, a member the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute Leaders Network, the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital’s NICU Family Advisory Council, and the Chewonki Foundation’s Maine Coast Semester Advisory Committee.