The Aspirations Program is a multi-facetted approach to future opportunity access and education for K-12 students in the Lewiston Auburn Area. In collaboration with local schools, Aspirations Programs facilitate college, career, and trades access education along with sustained mentorship. Aspirations Programming is not prescriptive, instead focuses on teaching students about what is available to them post high school and the steps needed to obtain their goals. In doing so, student are given the tool they need to envision and achieve the future they see for themselves. Scroll below to see the current Aspirations Programs offered and how to get involved!

Aspirations Days

Aspirations Days provide the 8th grade students of Lewiston and Auburn Middle School an opportunity to think about their potential next steps in life as they begin their transition to high school. During these days, students will be exposed to college, career, and trade opportunities which they can pursue after graduating from high school. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to be exposed to and learn more about a college campus and what resources/activities are available at universities and colleges.

To participate or for more information, please contact Lily Houser (lhouser@bates.edu).

Aspirations Club

The Aspirations Club is a group of students who work to support the post-high school aspirations of youth in the Lewiston Auburn area. In conjunction with the Harward Center for Community Partnership, Aspirations Program, the Aspirations Club achieves its goal to support the aspirations of LA youth by organizing Bates students to participate in local mentoring programs, such as the Lewiston High School and Auburn Middle School Mentorship Program and the organization of Aspirations Days hosted at Bates College; and a community for students who are eager to deepen their understanding of about college access inequities and post-high school opportunities in the Lewiston-Auburn community. 

To join the club, please click here

Mentorship Programs

The Aspirations Program currently has four mentorship programs from elementary school to high school.

Auburn Middle School

The Aspirations Club runs a weekly mentorship program at Auburn Middle School where Bates students are paired with a 7th-8th grade student for the next 1-2 years. To learn more and become a mentor, please contact Maria Femia (mfemia@bates.edu) or Lucy Norris (lnorris@bates.edu).

Lewiston High School

The Aspirations Club runs a weekly mentorship program at Lewiston High School where Bates students are paired with a 9th-10th grade student for the next 1-4 years. To learn more and become a mentor, please contact Madi Mettler (mmettler@bates.edu).

Montello Elementary School

A community outreach fellows program, Bates students are paired with a 3rd-6th grade student at Montello Elementary School who they meet with on a weekly basis. To learn more, contact Ellen Alcorn (ealcorn@bates.edu).

For any questions or inquires regarding the Aspirations Program, please contact Ellen Alcorn (ealcorn@bates.edu).