Patriot Profile: Tori Bates

Patriot Profile: Tori Bates 

Year: Senior  

Major: Special Education  

Hometown: Ada, Michigan

George Mason University student Tori Bates couldn’t have known that a decision she made as a teenager about how to spend the summer would end up defining her life’s purpose. For Bates, that moment came when she was looking for a meaningful way to spend her time and began volunteering at a therapeutic center for children ages 1-14 with developmental disabilities. What began as a summer activity sparked a passion for helping others. “I just absolutely fell in love with it,” she said. “It was just so much fun and so rewarding to see how much influence I had in their progress in just a couple of months.” 

Lending a Hand: Bates volunteered in a speech and occupational therapy program, serving as both a peer and role model. She found particular joy in seeing children build their communication skills. For Bates, those moments represented something much bigger: helping children gain another way to express who they were and what they needed. At an end-of-camp ice cream party, for example, Bates asked a girl who had had trouble verbalizing her needs what flavor she wanted. When the ice cream came out too cold, the girl handed it back with a single word: "cold." It was the first time she had verbally advocated for herself. “It was a momentous moment,” Bates said. 

Signs Point to George Mason: That same instinct to connect with and help others carried over to learning American Sign Language, which the aspiring special education teacher took as her foreign language all four years of high school. Bates is sharpening those skills at George Mason with a ASL minor, and the university’s proximity to the Washington, D.C., area deaf community means she has plenty of opportunities to use the skills.  

Alexandra Raines, special education assistant professor in the College of Education and Human Development, said Bates brings that same level of compassion, thoughtfulness, and dedication to the classroom. “Tori is a hardworking and supportive classmate who consistently contributes meaningful ideas and makes those around her better,” Raines said. “I have no doubt she will make a lasting and positive impact on the students and families she serves!” 

Between the Pipes: As a four-year varsity lacrosse player, three-time All-Conference selection, and Second Team All-State honoree at Forest Hills Central High School, Bates set Michigan state records in saves in a single game and in a single season. On the field for the Patriots, she is vocal and calm under pressure, always steadying the ship with her sense of humor. "When we’re relaxed and enjoying ourselves, that's when we have the best chemistry, and we play better," she said. 

“Tori serves as a strong example of how the simple act of showing up – especially on the days when it feels difficult – can lead to meaningful growth over time,” said Kara Mupo, George Mason’s women’s lacrosse head coach.  

The Student-Athlete Balance: A two-time Provost Scholar, Bates carries a 3.9 GPA and was recently among the program-record 12 Patriots named to the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Division I Academic Honor Roll. Bates also serves as vice president on George Mason’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) and works part time as an administrative assistant with the George Mason University Police Department, where she assists with research, including background checks. In her downtime, Bates enjoys scrapbooking, crafting, or curling up with a good book and her 12-year-old cat, Chanel. 

“Tori is a vital part of our team whose dedication to what she does is readily apparent,” said Assistant Chief Michael F. Lighthiser, Mason Police. “She's been a great addition to the department.”  

Parental Guidance Accepted: Initially drawn to occupational and speech therapy, Bates said it was her mother who suggested special education might be a natural fit. She also credits her parents for modeling what it looks like to work hard, show up, and stay committed. "They always say: Try your best," she said. "It didn't matter if I got a B, as long as they saw the effort. They showed me that you always show up to the commitments you've made." She’s taken the lesson and made it practical. “It’s really all about planning,” she said. “But when you’re so passionate about so many things, you make the time.”   

Next Up: Bates isn’t slowing down after graduation. She’s enrolled in George Mason’s Bachelor's to Accelerated Master’s Degree program in Adaptive Curriculum for grades K-12. She hopes to one day teach for the Department of War Education Activity, which operates schools in the United States and overseas, including, Japan, Germany, and Guam. She's also passionate about educational policy and would love to play a role in updating the 2004 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Wherever her classroom is, she already knows what she wants it to feel like. "I want my students to feel like it's their space too," she said. "I want to celebrate differences. Everyone has a right to learn, feel safe, and be seen. I want learning to be fun."