Born and raised in Lewiston, Maine, Tonya is an organic advocate for social justice and interpersonal growth and development. Embodied in her passion and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism, Tonya has and continues to work with individuals, groups, and communities to co-create truly inclusive spaces. 

Tonya earned a Bachelor degree in Social and Behavioral Science from the University of Southern Maine, becoming the first in her family to graduate with a four-year degree. As a first-generation college student, Tonya recognized the power of education and earned a Master’s degree, also from the University of Southern Maine’s School of Social Work. 

“While academic credentials have opened doors to my career path, my lived experience as a person with marginalized identities is the guiding force behind my work with others”. 

Tonya joined Bates in 2019 as a staff therapist in Counseling and Psychological Services where she provided culturally responsive care and connection with individual students as well as groups. With a strong desire to examine the impact of power and privilege on student success, in and out of the classroom, Tonya transitioned to the position of Director of Special Projects where she worked collaboratively across the division to identify and address systemic barriers for traditionally marginalized students through tailored program development, community engagement, and student support. 

As the current Associate Dean and Director of the Student Center for Belonging and Community, Tonya is part of a passionate team of individuals who continue to challenge inequity and support students while they navigate their personal journey and make meaning along the way. 

• Provide strategic vision and leadership for the Student Center for Belonging and Community, including developing short- and long-term strategic plans.
• Lead, manage, and mentor the professional staff.
• Oversee and support the team in designing and implementing a set of cohesive and integrated programs and services that: fosters the academic, personal, and postgraduate success of students of color, and LGBTQ+ students; facilitates community and connection among individual students, student organizations, and the broader institution; and provides educational opportunities to students of color, and LGBTQ+ students around critical issues of identity and representation.

I am ethnically Somali but was born in Kenya and then came to the United States when I was eleven. Two years later, my family decided to move to Lewiston, Maine and we have been here since. Growing up in Maine with multiple identities has not been easy. Floating in between – never feeling fully “American” or “Somali” – has led me to seek out and support others who may feel different or “othered” in their communities. I firmly believe that we all have the right to have a sense of belonging.

I attended the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) and earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and International and Global Studies. It was at UMF, that I found the power of my voice. I realized nobody else was coming to change things on campus and it was up to people like me to build an environment where all students would have the same opportunities for success. This realization led me to create initiatives and programming to bring awareness to campus culture in the areas of equity, inclusion, and diversity. My greatest achievement was spearheading the creation of the Diversity and Inclusion Action Team, a task force of students, staff and faculty working together to address the needs of students of color.

As a working professional and community member, I have continued to educate and advocate for social justice and equity. At Disability Rights Maine (DRM), I advocated for and provided essential resources to individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. In my role as the Vice President of the Maine Youth Network, my focus is to uplift and empower youth who share my experience as a refugee. Like the mission and work of the organization, I am passionate about providing immigrant children and young adults the necessary tools to compete
and succeed in life.

My professional goals and personal vision are one in the same – creating a just, safe, sustainable, and collaborative community. I am thrilled to join the Bates community and assist students in the Student Center for Belonging and Community and across the campus in embracing their many identities and strengths to carve out their own unique path to success.

• Supervise the Community Navigators to assist with programs and to staff the OIE space
• Develop the OIE staffing schedule, ensuring availability and accessibility of professional staff and student staff
• Manage OIE room reservation requests
• Serve as an advisor and mentor to students who seek assistance, and connect them to necessary college resources
• Collaborate with OIE colleagues to design and implement BIPOC, first generation, and LGBTQ+ student programs

Anthony is an openly queer, 3rd generation chicano from East Los Angeles, CA. Anthony graduated from James A. Garfield High School, and received a BA in Ethnic Studies from UC San Diego (UCSD) and an MA in Education from San Diego State University (SDSU).

Anthony made the move to the east coast at the end of 2015, never living in the east coast prior to that. From 2015-2021, Anthony worked for a local nonprofit program in Massachusetts called Boston GLASS; a program that offers services Boston-based BIPoC LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. Anthony supported in the developement of outreach efforts, served as a supervisor to adult and youth staff, managed grant expectations and reporting, as well as learned a variety of transferrable practices and values including: social emotional learning, positive-youth development, strengths-based approach, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care. In 2021, Anthony made the transition to higher education, where he worked at Babson College and Brandeis University before making the move to Maine in 2023.

Outside of work, Anthony enjoys playing video games, where Pokemon, Overwatch, and Final Fantasy XIV are his favorites. When not playing video games, Anthony enjoys movies and tv, including: Bob’s Burgers, Steven Universe, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Bee and Puppycat and other shows related to paranormal and mystery/crime. Other interests include cats, coffee, anime, and sweets. Do not hesitate to say hi. You often see Anthony sporting an LA Dodgers cap of various colors.

Astrologically:

• Sun: Leo
• Rising: Gemini
• Moon: Sagittarius
• Mercury, Venus, Mars: Virgo

• Design, collaborate and implement educational and social events for LGBTQ+ students and their allies
• Collaborate with and supervise the SPARQ Peer Mentors
• Serve as an advisor to students seeking assistance; refer and connect them to necessary college resources

With over seventeen years in higher education, Tatiana comes from Central Maine Community College’s (CMCC) TRIO Program, where she started as a TRIO Retention and Transfer Advisor in the fall of 2020, and later became the Associate Director for the program. Within the TRIO program, she assisted students who were first-generation, met income guidelines, and/or had a documented disability. In addition to providing academic, transfer, and career guidance, she also assisted with coordinating workshops, summer programming, as well as cultural activities.

Before joining CMCC, Tatiana worked at St. Thomas University in Miami, FL, where she accrued experience in coordinating tutoring and testing services, managing the dual enrollment program, and serving as an academic advisor. She is also an alumnus of St. Thomas University, having earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from there. Tatiana was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Having lived in areas with tropical climates prior to moving to Maine, she is actively embracing the colder weather by participating in winter activities with her husband and two young children.

• Help to implement and assess programming for First-Generation Students
• Co-advise the First-Generation Peer Mentors
• Serve as a Student Support Advisor and an informal advisor to all students who seek support through the OIE