Asha ’27 (she/her) is a rising junior she grew up in Lewiston, Maine, and is majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Education. On the pre-health track, she’s passionate about both healthcare and education reform and policy. On campus, Asha is a Bonner Leader and works as an Office Assistant with Purposeful Work. This fall, she will also serve as a Writing Center Assistant Tutor (WCAT).

In the summer of 2024, Asha conducted research in the Laurita Lab and worked with the Brighter Future Healthier You office, where she supported behavioral health initiatives, case management, and outpatient psychosocial services. This summer, she’s working with New Root Collaborative Farm and United Yes, continuing to explore the intersections of health and community.

Outside of academics and work, Asha enjoys reading, experimenting with new recipes, and taking river walks with friends. She’s excited for a summer of learning, connection, and discovering more of what Maine has to offer.

Bella ’27 (she/her) is from Palo Alto, California, majoring in Politics with a concentration in Law and Society and minoring in Dance. She has been part of the Bates Dance program, participating in the fall and spring concerts and 2beats, a hip hop group on campus. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, listening to music, exploring the outdoors, and trying new food!

Bella joined the PW team as an Office Assistant during the fall of her sophomore year, and is excited to be interning with Purposeful Work this summer as a Summer Intern Advisor. She will also be interning at Trinity Jubilee Center in Lewiston, ME, a local nonprofit. She is stoked to be working with the Purposeful Work team this summer, and to help students engage meaningfully with their internships!

Kelly ’26 (He/Him) Is a Senior and Sociology major with an arts and visual studies general concentration from Seattle Washington. He is specifically interested in nuanced social organizational structures as well as environmental sociology and how climate change affects different populations. In addition to his academic pursuits he is a Captain of the Bates Men’s Rowing team and also a president of the Manic Optimists, one of the many acapella groups on campus.

Kelly has spent time working outdoors for multiple years as Music Director of a summer camp in his home state of Washington as well as a rowing coach for his high school rowing club. Working in this outdoor education field, Kelly has gained some great leadership experience and hopes to continue it this summer.

This summer he is working as one of the Purposeful Work Peer internship advisors and is excited to help his fellow students with their internship opportunities.

Tong ’26 (she/her) is majoring in Economics with minors in Japanese and Digital and Computational Studies. Originally from Beijing, China, she is an international student who has worked as a writing tutor and Chinese language support tutor at the Student Writing & Language Center since her sophomore year. In her free time, Tong enjoys crocheting, playing the guitar, and listening to music. She loves snowboarding in the winter and hopes to learn how to surf this summer.
Tong participated in a job shadowing experience at BarkBox, which she describes as her dream workplace—surrounded by dogs and dedicated to serving canine customers. Through this opportunity, she gained valuable insights into supply chain management and marketing, which she wants to learn more about in the future.
This summer, Tong will be serving as the Internship Peer Advisor and is excited to support fellow students while learning from their unique internship experiences.

Aazayah ’26 (He/Him) is from Long Island, New York, and is currently pursuing a major in Sociology with a minor in Educational Studies. Aazayah’s academic journey reflects a deep commitment to understanding social dynamics and fostering educational growth. On campus, Aazayah serves as an office assistant for Purposeful Work, where he manages Handshake projects and supports various initiatives aimed at enhancing student career development.

Last summer, Aazayah took his passion for education to Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts, where he worked for EXPLO, an academic enrichment summer camp. During his time there, he taught three classes to students ranging from fourth to seventh grade, sharing his enthusiasm for learning and discovery. Additionally, he served as a residential advisor for seventh graders, ensuring a safe and engaging environment for the campers. This experience not only honed his teaching skills but also solidified his desire to create inclusive learning spaces for young, curious minds.

This summer, Aazayah is excited to continue to work with Purposeful Work, collaborating to promote resources that benefit the community. As a Summer Intern Cohort Facilitator, he will guide and support students in their personal and professional development journeys. Alongside this role, Aazayah will also be working at Tree Street Youth, an organization dedicated to empowering youth through education and community engagement. His involvement in these initiatives underscores his dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of young learners.

Kelly ’26 (she/her) is a rising senior from East Harlem, New York, double majoring in Psychology and Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies. On campus, she stays busy working as a barista at Le Ronj and as a student dispatcher for Campus Safety. She also hosts a radio show that celebrates Latino music and connects with the Latino community at Bates and in the wider Lewiston, Maine, area.
In the spring of 2025, Kelly studied abroad in Rome, Italy, where she created both a short film and a documentary as part of her coursework. Her documentary, focusing on a local jazz club, won Best Documentary, a highlight of her time abroad.
This summer, Kelly is serving as a Purposeful Work intern and working at Space Gallery in Portland, Maine. She’s excited to collaborate with fellow interns and looks forward to supporting and guiding others through their summer experiences.

I am Enathe, I was born and raised in Rwanda and I am a Biochem and French double major at Bates. Thanks to Purposeful Work, I got a fund from the National Science Foundation and did summer research with one of my professors during my freshman year. I have done job shadows and got my job application documents reviewed through PW, my freshman year wouldn’t have been any easier, and I can’t wait to help other students explore their career opportunities. On campus, I am a co-president of the French Club and social media coordinator of the Africana Club and I love interacting with the L/A community. I am so excited to work as a Digital Marketing Assistant and share beautiful memories with you the on and off campus community.

In my spare time, I enjoy listening to podcasts, reading books, exploring new places, spending time with friends and can’t wait to meet you all.

Tomas Alberola ’26 (he/him) is an Economics major with a minor in French from Denver, Colorado. He is a member of the Men’s Soccer team at Bates and a frequent volunteer at Rosati Leadership Academy. During the Spring semester of 2025, Tomas studied abroad in Florence, Italy, where he continued his Economics studies and learned Italian.

Over the summer, Tomas interned at Barclays in the Investment Banking division, working within the Energy and Climate Tech group. There, he deepened his understanding of how finance can drive innovation in the energy transition. Outside of academics and professional pursuits, Tomas is an avid soccer fan and lifelong supporter of Real Madrid, and he has a strong passion for animals — especially dogs!

Tomas is very excited to continue with the Purposeful Work team for his Senior year! He looks forward to leveraging his experiences to help other Bates students discover early career opportunities that align with their passions and help make them competitive candidates for internships.

David Cohen ’27 (he/him) is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is majoring in Economics and Sociology. At Bates, he serves on the Residence Life staff, tutors at SASC, and has been a TA for both Environmental Economics and Microeconomics. On campus, David is also an avid leader of the club volleyball team and values mentoring peers both inside and outside the classroom.

This past summer, David worked as a finance intern at Quince Therapeutics, a biotech company developing a pharmaceutical drug. Through that experience, he gained exposure to financial modeling, budgeting within a science-driven organization, and contributing to a team striving for a better and healthier future. The internship deepened his interest in how finance can support scientific advancement and healthcare innovation.

David will study abroad in Prague during the fall semester and is excited to gain an economic perspective beyond the U.S. He looks forward to joining the Purposeful Work team as a Peer Advisor in the spring, giving back to a program that has already played a meaningful role in his Bates experience.

Kyra Friedrich ‘26 (she/her) is a Politics major and Asian Studies minor from Munich, Germany. Apart from working with PW, she enjoys being a part of the International Club and being a mentor at Lewiston High School.

In her free time, Kyra loves to travel. Last summer, she spent 3 months in Taipei, Taiwan studying Mandarin at the National Taiwan Normal University. Most of her time there, she spent exploring the Island and visiting different cities. Traveling is one of her passions, so she was very grateful for the opportunity to try different foods and see exciting sights. Next year, she will be studying abroad in Shanghai, China in the spring.

Having worked on the PW Internship team during the summer of 2024, Kyra is looking forward to continuing with Purposeful Work as a Peer Advisor this year!

Elizabeth ’26 (she/her) is a junior from Denver, Colorado majoring in sociology with a concentration in law and society, and a minor in educational studies. In addition to serving as PW peer advisor, Elizabeth is a First-Generation Peer mentor, Harward Center Outreach Fellow, and enjoys supporting LPS teachers.

In the summer of 2024, Elizabeth completed a PW internship with Casa de Paz, a nonprofit organization focused on supporting individuals in immigration detention. During her internship she conducted research on immigration policy while forming part of the welcome team, which supported individuals who were released from detention. During the Spring semester of 2025, Elizabeth will be studying abroad in Brazil.

Elizabeth looks forward to hearing about all the amazing journeys Bates students will take on this year!

Chris Kenny ’26 is a senior at Bates pursuing a BA in Economics with a minor in Computer Science. Last fall, he studied abroad in Milan at Bocconi University, where he concentrated on Financial Analysis and Applied Economics.

This past summer, Chris interned as a summer investment banking analyst at DC Advisory, where he will return as a full-time analyst on their infrastructure team. Previously, he interned for Waypoint Capital Partners, a Connecticut-based private equity firm. In 2023, he worked as a research intern for the City of Lewiston Economic Department, where helped develop a grant proposal addressing housing insecurity.

In his free time, Chris enjoys playing golf and is an avid chess player. He is very excited to be joining the Purposeful Work team this fall, and hopes to use his experiences to help students find a career path that aligns with their interests!

Zain Khan ’26 is a Senior at Bates pursuing an Economics major. Last year, he studied abroad at the London School of Economics, focusing on Managerial Economics, Economic History, and Finance.
Last summer, he interned in Sales and Trading at Goldman Sachs in London. In the summer of 2024, he previously externed at Imperixal Capital in New York, gaining exposure to global markets. This year, he serves as Co-President of the Bates Investment Club.

Outside of academics, he plays ice hockey and lacrosse, and he is a big supporter of Chelsea FC. He is excited to bring his experiences in global markets and leadership to help fellow students explore opportunities that match their goals and interests!

Sydney Litney ’27 (she/her) is from Schaumburg, IL, and is double majoring in Politics and Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies with a concentration in Theatre. She is a member of the Bates Women’s Soccer Team and is actively involved in several campus organizations, including Model UN, Student Government, and The Bates Student. Sydney is an avid movie-watcher, dog lover, and traveler.

Sydney has completed numerous job shadows through Purposeful Work, including one at Bloomberg News in New York City! In the spring of 2026, Sydney will study abroad in Prague, Czech Republic, where she will continue her coursework in Politics and Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies.

She joined the Purposeful Work team as a Peer Advisor in her junior year. She is excited to use her experiences to help fellow students explore and pursue their career goals.

Adam Joseph (AJ) Matos ’26 (he/him/his) is a Sociology and Theater double major with a minor in History from Springfield, New Jersey. At Bates, Adam serves as Co-President of TakeNote, an a cappella group on campus, and the Production Manager for the student-run theater club, the Robinson Players.

This past summer, Adam completed a teaching internship at Choate Rosemary Hall, instructing creative writing and film courses, coaching basketball, and serving as a resident advisor for high school students. Adam has been a member of the PW team since Fall of 2024 and is extremely excited to get back to Bates after a semester abroad in Italy!

Eva Rodriguez ’26 is a Politics and Spanish double major at Bates College with a passion for law, investment management, and public policy. She believes that access to knowledge is a powerful tool for empowering individuals and communities.

Eva has built a strong foundation in finance as a Girls Who Invest Scholar and through two consecutive summers as a Compliance Intern at Oaktree Capital Management. On campus, she is a Senior Fellow in Admissions and serves on both the Honorary Degree Committee and the Presidential Advisory Committee, helping to shape the student experience. Most recently, she joined the board of the YWCA, supporting its mission to empower women.

She spent her junior year abroad in Madrid, honing her fluency in Spanish while immersing herself in the city’s culture. In her free time, Eva can be found browsing for her next great vintage find or enjoying a perfect chocolate chip cookie (massive sweet tooth)!

Vyom Singh ’27 (he/him) is from Bradenton, Florida, and is majoring in Economics and Politics with a concentration in Law and Society. At Bates, he serves on the Presidential Advisory Committee, works as a Tour Guide with Admissions, and is a caterer with DCCE. Vyom is also a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine, where he mentors a local elementary school student through weekly one-on-one sessions.

This past summer, Vyom worked as a legal intern for a boutique law firm in New Jersey, and worked as a judicial intern for the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. During the Spring of 2026, Vyom will study abroad in Stockholm.

This is Vyom’s first year as a Peer Advisor. He is excited to join the Purposeful Work team and looks forward to supporting his fellow students in every way he can!

Olivia Smith ‘26 is a Philosophy major and Russian minor from Lafayette, Indiana. She is also a member of the Bates Rowing Team and a Cycling Club officer. Olivia is drawn to Philosophy because of its application to everything from argumentation to biking.

During the summer of 2024, Olivia attended Middlebury College’s immersive School of Russian where she studied, spoke, and dreamt in only Russian. She continued her language studies in Almaty, Kazakhstan where she studied abroad for the fall 2024 semester.

Olivia has been on the Purposeful Work team since last year when she was an Office Assistant and looks forward to supporting the Bates community as a Peer Advisor once she returns from her semester abroad in the Spring of 2025.

Ava Varrell ’27 is from Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts and is majoring in Biochemistry with a concentration in Philosophy & Psychology. At Bates she is involved in SASC, Club Lacrosse, JSU, Public Health Initiative and was an AESOP leader!

This past summer Ava worked as a molecular biology research intern in a research lab at Beth Isreal Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Through this experience, she gained exposure to molecular cloning techniques and patient care related to Polycystic Kidney Disease. This internship deepened her interest in nephrology and inspired her to further explore how laboratory research can directly influence patient outcomes.

Ava is studying abroad in Copenhagen during the fall semester and is excited to take classes that contribute to her Biochemistry major and explore Denmark! She is very excited to join the Purposeful Work team in the spring and work alongside the Bates community to help students pursue their career goals.

Owen Wang ’26 Bio coming soon!

McKayla Kendall ’26 (she/her) is from Bangor, Maine and is a Biochemistry and French major with a concentration in Public Health. She’s a member of the Bates Swim Team and serves as a captain of Bates Club Lacrosse. On campus, she works as a TA for the biology department, while off campus, she works directly with local youth and their families as a Behavioral Health Professional.

McKayla spent the Fall 2024 semester studying abroad in Senegal, where she completed a public health internship conducted entirely in French. She was able to learn about and participate in the Senegalese healthcare system, deepening her interest in global health with a particular focus on the Francophone world. After Bates, she will join the Tufts University School of Medicine’s Maine Track program to pursue a career in medicine.

Though this is her first year officially on the Purposeful Work team, McKayla has already enjoyed mentoring fellow students and looks forward to continuing her work helping students explore careers in STEM and healthcare.

Joy Huang ’27(she/her) is an Economics major with Asian Studies, Digital & Computational Studies, and Mathematics minors from New York. On campus, Joy is also a First-Generation Peer Mentor, ResLife Junior Advisor, SASC Peer Tutor, and Harward Center BCAT Tutor; she is also on the e-boards for ASA, Consulting Club, and Tea Club. Outside of the classroom, Joy enjoys cooking new dishes and walking around the Puddle!

Regarding her professional interests, Joy seeks to weave together her technical proficiency with her knack for analytical rigor and creative resourcefulness—specifically, in finance and consulting. Previously, she participated in the Bates Boston Finance Roadshow and has completed multiple job shadows; moreover, she collaborated with PW last semester to host a B1st/Kessler Scholars event focusing on career paths in business. With this in mind, Joy is excited to join the PW team and eager to support students in their internship exploration and professional development!

My name is Sebastian Leal. I am a Politics major with a strong interest in the legal field. Within Politics I am interested in analyzing data on topics such as public opinion. I also have a passion for music, performing in groups such as Bates’ jazz band as a double bassist. In the fall semester I will represent the class of ‘26 in Bates College’s Student Government.

I have enjoyed learning about career pathways through Purposeful Work and look forward to working with you all.

Tong ’26 (she/her) is majoring in Economics with minors in Japanese and Digital and Computational Studies. Originally from Beijing, China, she is an international student who has worked as a writing tutor and Chinese language support tutor at the Student Writing & Language Center since her sophomore year. In her free time, Tong enjoys crocheting, playing the guitar, and listening to music. She loves snowboarding in the winter and hopes to learn how to surf this summer.
Tong participated in a job shadowing experience at BarkBox, which she describes as her dream workplace—surrounded by dogs and dedicated to serving canine customers. Through this opportunity, she gained valuable insights into supply chain management and marketing, which she wants to learn more about in the future.
This summer, Tong will be serving as the Internship Peer Advisor and is excited to support fellow students while learning from their unique internship experiences.

Kelly ’26 (she/her) is a rising senior from East Harlem, New York, double majoring in Psychology and Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies. On campus, she stays busy working as a barista at Le Ronj and as a student dispatcher for Campus Safety. She also hosts a radio show that celebrates Latino music and connects with the Latino community at Bates and in the wider Lewiston, Maine, area.
In the spring of 2025, Kelly studied abroad in Rome, Italy, where she created both a short film and a documentary as part of her coursework. Her documentary, focusing on a local jazz club, won Best Documentary, a highlight of her time abroad.
This summer, Kelly is serving as a Purposeful Work intern and working at Space Gallery in Portland, Maine. She’s excited to collaborate with fellow interns and looks forward to supporting and guiding others through their summer experiences.

My name is Angel Guitcha and I’m a sophomore studying biochemistry. I love reading African literature and exploring the stories it tells. In my free time, I enjoy working on cinematic videography, finding creative ways to capture moments on camera.

I am Kimberly Bocardo (she/her) I’m a Psychology major with a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies from Phoenix, AZ. On campus, I serve as the secretary for both the Raices Unidas and Outfront clubs, and I am an active member of several cultural and affinity groups. As a first-generation student, I faced unique challenges in navigating college, especially in seeking and developing career opportunities. However, Purposeful Work provided invaluable guidance and resources, making this process significantly easier. Driven by my passion for marketing and outreach, I aim to support other students by connecting them with the various opportunities offered by Purposeful Work, helping them achieve their career goals.

In my free time, I love to watch movies, paint, try new foods, and watch anime!.

I am Enathe I was born and raised in Rwanda and I am a Biochem major at Bates. Thanks to Purposeful Work, I got a fund from National Science Foundation and did summer research with one of my professors during my freshman year.I have done job shadows and got my job application documents reviewed through PW, my freshman year wouldn’t have been any easier, and I can’t wait to help other students explore their career opportunities. On campus, I am a publicity director of the International club as well as a member of Africana and Consulting Club.I am so excited to work as a Digital Marketing Assistant and share beautiful memories with the Bates community.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading books, listening to podcasts, exploring new places, spending time with friends and can’t wait to meet you all.

Aazayah Ross ‘26 (he/him) is an undecided major and Education Studies minor from Freeport, NY. Zay is joining the PW team this year as an Office Assistant.  He loves music and working with children.

Last year Zay was a Teacher’s Assistant in an ELL classroom both semesters at Robert V. Connors Elementary School in Lewiston. He is interested in studying how students from marginalized backgrounds experience the educational system.

This summer Zay was a senior counselor at Island Quest Day Camp on Long Island, working with sixth graders. He managed a large group on a daily basis employing the classroom management and SEL best practices he learned as a Student Teacher to ensure a fun and safe summer for his campers, and was twice named Counselor of the Month.  Zay is interested in exploring other areas of education over the next three years.

Aazayah is excited to begin working as a PW Office Assistant to welcome students, alumni, and employees to PW’s beautiful new space in Chase Hall!

Asha Abdisamad ’27 (she/her), i’m a Biochemistry major and Education minor from Maine. On campus I am a member of Africana Club, the Muslim Student Association (MSA) and a part of the Bonner program. As an education minor I work in the Lewiston Public schools, l enjoy working kids, talking about college opportunities and supporting them through school.
In my free time I like reading, spending time with friends, and listening to podcasts. Look forward to meeting everyone and helping out anyway I can.

Cal Dagner ‘27 (they/them) is an Earth and Climate Science major from central Virginia. They are thrilled to be joining the purposeful work mission this year as an office assistant. At Bates Cal is a member of the rowing team and the circus club. They are also an outdoor enthusiast and love to spend time hiking, climbing, and looking for cool rocks or bugs.

This summer Cal was selected as a farming apprentice through the Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund to work as an intern on Glidden Point Oyster Farm. They are passionate about sustainable agriculture and finding ways to fight food shortages and climate change at the same time. At the farm, Cal gained first hand experience working on the water learning about food safety regulations, sustainable harvesting, and oysters’ role in their ecosystems as filterers and carbon collectors. They also completed a storytelling project as part of their apprenticeship to share their adventures and encourage others to get involved with ASLF. The help Cal received from the peer advisors at Purposeful Work while applying for the farm inspired them to seek out the position of office assistant at PW this year.

Bella Daly ’27 (she/her) is a Politics major and Dance minor from Palo Alto, California. She is a student notetaker and has gotten involved with the Bates Dance program through the fall and spring concerts and various dance classes. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, going on long drives, eating yummy food, hiking, and hanging out with her friends.

Bella job shadowed at the D.C. Board of Elections in Washington D.C. during the spring of her freshman year, which helped solidify her decision to pursue a career in Politics. She also utilized the Center for Purposeful Work to strengthen her resume and cover letters. She was welcomed by the friendly PW community and is thrilled to join them in the fall as a Purposeful Work Office Assistant!

Kelly ’26 (He/Him) Is a Senior and Sociology major with an arts and visual studies general concentration from Seattle Washington. He is specifically interested in nuanced social organizational structures as well as environmental sociology and how climate change affects different populations. In addition to his academic pursuits he is a Captain of the Bates Men’s Rowing team and also a president of the Manic Optimists, one of the many acapella groups on campus.

Kelly has spent time working outdoors for multiple years as Music Director of a summer camp in his home state of Washington as well as a rowing coach for his high school rowing club. Working in this outdoor education field, Kelly has gained some great leadership experience and hopes to continue it this summer.

This summer he is working as one of the Purposeful Work Peer internship advisors and is excited to help his fellow students with their internship opportunities.

“Seonmin ’26 (he/him)is an Economics and Mathematics double major from Anyang, South Korea. Seonmin is interested in how data can be used to gain useful insights in various fields such as sports and science. Outside of the classroom, he will be working as a tutor at SASC and a manager for the Bates football team, assisting coaches with statistics and film. He also enjoys making coffee and searching for cool espresso machines. Before coming to Bates, Seonmin served in the Korean Navy, where he enjoyed the cooperation and interaction with people from different backgrounds. Seonmin worked with PW during the summer of 2024 and is excited to return to PW!