Community Navigators

The Community Navigators aim to create a welcoming environment in the Student Center for Belonging and Community that supports the academic and personal development of BIPOC, first-generation to college and LGBTQ+ students. Community Navigators collaborative engage and work with all students who access the Center in building an inclusive campus community.


Community Navigators, 2025 – 2026

Amara Ogbonna (she/her)
Class of 2026
Major(s): Biochemistry
Minor(s): Dance

My name is Amara and I am from Zimbabwe.

I enjoy dancing, listening to all kinds of music, and occasionally knitting.


Aaron Martinez (he/him)
Class of 2026
Major(s): Economics
Minor(s): Theatre/Dance

Hi everyone! I’m Aaron and I am a first-generation student from Brooklyn, NY.

I am passionate about Social Justice and enjoy listening to Neo-Soul, old R&B and Reggae music.


Sakina Saidi (she/her)
Class of 2026
Major(s): Math and Physics (Civil Engineering)

Hometown: Kabul, Afghanistan

I like to travel, do photography, and create art, including but not limited to: drawing, henna, applying makeup, styling hair, and designing clothes).

Activities/accomplishments:

  • Created the first wall of kindness in Afghanistan (featured in the New York Times)
  • Captained the Lighting Ladies futsal team for two years
  • Started a women’s cafe in Kabul
  • Co-founded three summer programs in three different provinces in Afghanistan
  • Completed three semesters of business in AUAF and a short term in Bard College before coming to Bates
  • Worked with Al-Jazeera on a documentary.

Leah Berhanu (she/her)
Class of 2027
Major(s): Undeclared but considering Neuroscience

Hi everyone!

I’m Leah and I am from Cambridge, MA. I am passionate about equity and access within education.


Marcus Davis (he/him)
Class of 2027
Major(s): Undeclared but considering Rhetoric

I am from Newton, Massachusetts, or J.O.B. (just outside Boston).

I am a member of the Bates football team. I’m still exploring my academic options, but I like to argue intellectual and social topics, so I’m considering Rhetoric.

While in high school, I was a President of my school’s Black Leadership Advisory Council (BLAC), where we created programs that addressed issues of equity, access, anti-racism, education, and helped foster a sense of belonging for students of color.

In addition to my long-standing interests in social justice issues, other interesting facts about me include, but not limited to:

  • both my parents are Bates alums
  • I have a Black Belt in Karate
  • I love playing video games

Rahil Mecca (he/him)
Class of 2027
Major(s): Economics and Philosophy

Hi, my name is Rahil Mecca and I’m from Chennai, India.

I love football, Polo, and volleyball!