BU Professor Michael Bandy Named TRIO Achiever of the Year

Photos provided by Rampage student photographer Nathan LePere.

Bluefield University has many outstanding professors who are always willing to go out of their way for students. That is no different for BU professor Dr. William Michael Bandy.

Dr. Bandy was recently named TRIO Achiever of the Year by the board members of the Virginia Association of Education Opportunity Program Personnel (VAEOPP) for all his years of hard work and dedication to students in the classroom, but as well as his participation in a program some years ago. 

“The program that I participated in was Student Support Services as a peer tutor at Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) from 1988-1990,” Bandy said. 

TRIO is a federal education program that helps first-generation college students and students in under-served communities succeed in college. Surprisingly, TRIO is not an acronym, but it rather represents the three original programs that were established to perform its purpose: Upward Bound, Talent Search, and Student Support. As of now, there are a total of eight specific programs under the TRIO umbrella, which is overseen by VAEOPP. This is an alliance of all TRIO programs in Virginia that educates politicians and other parties about the work of TRIO programs. They are simply there to advocate for TRIO students and staff.  

Bandy received his award as the Achiever of the Year at the VAEOPP State Conference in Virginia Beach that took place October 15-20, 2023. Bandy was nominated for this award by Dr. Michael J. Henry, who is someone that he looks up to greatly and served as a sort of mentor to Bandy. 

“He was my mentor at SWCC as I participated in the peer tutor program,” Bandy said, “and he continued to mentor me as I progressed through the rest of my academic programs, as I went into business, and as I attained my Ph.D.” 

Bandy credits much of his success throughout his life to the great support system he has had. 

“Dr. Henry invested his time, energy, and resources into me while I was a student,” Bandy said. “Had it not been for him, I may have not graduated from SWCC, attended Bluefield State, or gotten my master’s degree or Ph.D.” 

Bandy also credits his wife, Misty Bandy, with being a driving factor in motivating him to complete his doctorate.

“I had become stagnant in my doctoral studies…I was on that course to be so close to finishing but not attaining the goal,” Bandy said. “Misty helped me get my head straight and encouraged me to finish my program.”

Though Bandy had great people all around him, a good support system can only go so far. It takes hard work, dedication, and effort. 

“I was blessed to be the first in my family to graduate from college, to get a master’s degree, and to get a Ph.D.,” Bandy said. “There were times when it felt easier and justified just to quit, but I didn’t. I attained my goals by putting one foot in front of the other, getting the next assignment done, reading just one more chapter, doing one more problem, taking one more test…even when I didn’t want to.”

Bandy believes that if he can do it, anyone else can, and that is something he hopes each of his students is able to recognize.

“That is what I see in each and every one of my students,” he said, “the opportunity to fulfill their potential and change the world in a great way.”

This is something many of his students recognize and are inspired by. They also appreciate the enthusiasm he brings to the classroom every day.

“He is awesome!” said BU student Camila Coradi. “Dr. Bandy has always been one of the most amazing and enthusiastic professors on campus. He is always willing to go the extra mile for all of his students, and the energy that he brings to the classroom is great to be in. I also appreciate all of the kindness that (he) and Misty have shown me throughout my time here at BU.”

Other students believe that Bandy inspires them and is fully deserving of the Achiever of the Year award. 

“Dr. Bandy has gone a long way in inspiring me in the classroom and on the field to be the best version of myself,” said BU graduate student and men’s soccer captain Jake Mendoza. “I cannot think of a better person to receive this prestigious award.”

When it came to the conference itself, Bandy seemed to be humbled by the whole experience.

“It was cool to be surrounded by so many people who just wanted to see students succeed,” Bandy said, “and you could really feel the spirit of dedication and encouragement everywhere in that conference.” 

Bandy said the best part of the experience was that “energy of dedication and encouragement” that radiated off of everyone there, as well as getting to share that moment with his wife, shine light back on an old friend, and recognize the true award winner.

“(The best part was) getting to share that moment with Misty, knowing that she was proud of me and of our work,” Bandy said. “It was getting to shine the light back on Dr. Henry and the TRIO program, revealing that the program itself was the true award winner.”

Ultimately, this was a very moving moment that Bandy will never forget. He’s also excited about the possibility of bringing the TRIO program to Bluefield University. Dr. Henry and Dr. Darrin Martin are working diligently to make that happen.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am about that,” Bandy said. “I know for a fact that TRIO works. It worked for me.”