Instagram story viewer> @batescollege> Posts

Bates College

@batescollege

32.1K

followers

883

following

Preparing leaders sustained by a love of learning and a commitment to responsible stewardship of the wider world.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

Fresh faces. Fresh ideas. Meet three more new faculty members shaping what learning looks like at Bates.

We’re continuing our #FacultyFriday introductions to the scholars, teachers, and mentors joining Bates for the 2026–27 academic year — and asking each of them what they’re most excited about in the year ahead.

Swipe to meet Arron Levi Foster, Mónica C. Quiñones-Frías, and Sonny Kim — and hear what they’re most looking forward to at Bates.

Looking for some extra credit? Tap the link in our bio above to learn more about their backgrounds, their scholarship, and what they’re teaching this year.

(Theophil Syslo/Bates College)

#batescollege #meetnewfaculty #liberalartscollege

Arron Levi Foster, assistant professor of art and visual culture

“I look forward to working closely with students as they develop ambitious, research-driven creative practices while contributing to a departmental culture that values experimentation, critical dialogue, and engagement with visual culture. The opportunity to connect my own interdisciplinary practice with colleagues and students across the college makes Bates an especially inspiring place to teach, learn, and create, and I am eager to contribute to a vibrant community where artistic practice and intellectual curiosity are deeply intertwined.”

Welcome, Arron!

Mónica C. Quiñones-Frías, assistant professor of biology

“I’m eager to set up my lab, recruit students interested in my research, and explore Maine in all the seasons. I am also looking forward to being at a liberal arts college, where I’ll get to work with peers in other disciplines.”

Welcome, Mónica!

Sonny Kim, assistant professor of philosophy

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the people that make up this community. I’m especially excited to meet and learn from the students here at Bates, both through my classes and through campus life more broadly. I’m also looking forward to experiencing the natural splendor of Maine, in all seasonal fonts.”

Welcome, Sonny! taken in Bates College by @batescollege

75

0

2 hours ago

A shout out to the people who keep Bates running — and looking its best. Meet three of the 65 custodial associates who make Bates shine.

Today is National Custodial Workers’ Recognition Day, and we’re taking a moment to thank our incredible Facility Services staff for the care, hard work, and pride they bring to campus each day.

Representing the afternoon shift: David Green, Hussein Kulow, and Omar Aweis. David supports Olin Arts Center, while Hussein and Omar support Lane Hall — though the second shift also responds to a wide range of needs across the entire campus.

So if you see a Bates custodial worker today, we hope you join us in saying thank you. We are so grateful for *all* of our custodial workers and the work they do. They are key members of our community and are instrumental in keeping Bates running smoothly.

(David Ernst/Bates College)

#batescollege #thankyou #nationalcustodiansday by @batescollege

492

2

6 hours ago

When @alisaamador '18 starts to sing, everything else fades away.

Last Thursday evening, the singer-songwriter returned to the Bates campus to perform at the @batesvcs music showcase in front of a warm and welcoming Bobcat crowd in Ben Mays Center.

Amador made history in 2022 with the first-ever Spanish-language song to win NPR's prestigious "Tiny Desk Contest." And her follow-up Tiny Desk Concert performance has more than half a million views on YouTube.

Swipe through for a glimpse of the joy, love, and community that filled the room.

(Theophil Syslo/Bates College)

#batescollege #batesalumni #builtbybates #liberalartscollege by @batescollege

323

5

a day ago

“When they say it is a small student-to-faculty ratio…the professors had a profound impact, because it was a real relationship. I received feedback at an early age that changed who I am, in the best way possible.”
— biology major, Deansman, and now “the hot sauce guy” at @tabasco, Lee Susen ‘96 on being #BuiltByBates

(Theophil Syslo/Bates College)

#builtbybates #liberalartscollege #collegetocareer taken in Bates College by @batescollege

314

4

2 days ago

Natalie Gersen ‘28 of Belmont, Mass., has been named a Newman Civic Fellow through @campus_compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities working to advance the public purposes of higher education.

The Newman Civic Fellowship is a yearlong program recognizing students with exceptional leadership potential and commitment to creating positive change in communities.

“Natalie is the kind of civic leader whose actions speak louder than words — which is to say, a deeply authentic and effective leader,” said Darby Ray, director of the @harwardcenter for Community Partnerships and Donald W. and Ann M. Harward Professor of Civic Engagement. “The community partners she has collaborated with praise her entrepreneurial spirit and highly developed organizational skills, and of course her enormous heart.”

Congratulations, Natalie! See the link in our bio to read the full announcement in Bates News.

(Theophil Syslo/Bates College)

#batescollege #builtbybates #fellowship taken in Bates College by @batescollege

302

21

4 days ago

thank you to Bates sunsets. 🌅

#batescollege #liberalartscollege #batesisbeautiful taken in Bates College by @batescollege

797

1

5 days ago

New cat. Who dis? 🐾

#BatesBobcat #UCA #CollegeMascot #MascotLife #MascotDebut taken in Bates College Athletics by @batescollege

983

17

6 days ago

Three new faculty members. Three new perspectives. Let’s meet them.

Friday is our favorite day of the week because we’re continuing our introductions to the scholars, teachers, and mentors joining Bates for the 2026-27 academic year — and asking them what they’re most excited about in the year ahead.

Swipe to see what professors Conrad Fihn, Angie Jo, and Jasmine Mena are most looking forward to — then head to the link in our bio to learn more about their backgrounds, their scholarship, and their teaching.

(Theophil Syslo/Bates College)

#FacultyFriday #batescollege #newfaculty #liberalartscollege

Conrad Fihn, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry

“I’m really looking forward to teaching new classes and working on exciting new research projects with students in the lab. I had a wonderful undergraduate experience at a liberal arts college, and I am excited to return to that kind of community as a faculty member. I look forward to offering Bates students the same kind of mentorship and encouragement that helped shape my own undergraduate experience.”

Welcome, Conrad!

Angie Jo, assistant professor of politics.

“I’m most looking forward to the deep discussions I know I’ll have with my students and fellow faculty about some of the difficult political problems of our time: rising inequality, uncontrollable climate and technological change, identity politics, and othering in such extreme forms. … It’s been my experience that facing even the most brutal challenges is easier when done together, especially with thoughtful and diverse colleagues.”

Welcome, Angie!

Jasmine Mena, professor of psychology.

“I am eager to meet students and faculty and establish new collaborations. I am definitely looking forward to getting to know the local community and partnering on important local projects. I am also looking forward to making new connections in the classroom, during office hours, in the lab, or in the hallway, and seeing where we end up.”

Welcome, Jasmine! taken in Bates College by @batescollege

238

1

7 days ago

Something Purr-ty Big Is Coming… See you Saturday at Garc! 🐾

#GoBates #Bobcat taken in Bates College Athletics by @batescollege

476

5

7 days ago

A paws-itively great pick. 🐾

#gobobcats #batescollege #mascot

(Theophil Syslo/Bates College) taken in Bates College by @batescollege

467

4

7 days ago

Food trucks, inflatables, DJs, dancing, and more. Bateschella brought the main stage energy but with a distinctly Bobcat vibe.

(Theophil Syslo/Bates College) by @batescollege

594

2

8 days ago

A summer in Maine. A clearer sense of what comes next.

From studying marine life to supporting young writers, Bates students explored their interests through Maine-based internships — and discovered new possibilities for their futures.

With support from the Center for Purposeful Work (@batespurposefulwork), 41 Bates students spent the summer gaining hands-on experience across the state. This meant following questions that sparked their intellectual curiosity, gaining practical skills, and seeing how their studies can shape their future careers.

Learn more through the link in our bio. by @batescollege

411

1

9 days ago