Dr. Olivia Andrews: Passion for Biology and BU
Photo provided by Rampage student photographer Elei Haynes
Dr. Olivia Andrews grew up in Pennsylvania, earned her undergraduate degree in biology at Lockhaven University, and thought she wanted to become a dentist. Then she took one class about bugs and everything changed.
She knew very early in her academic career that she wanted to get her PhD. Dr. Andrews started her master’s degree at Virginia Tech, but she took on a large project and was able to completely bypass her master’s degree. She earned her PhD in May, an impressive feat at the age of twenty-seven.
Dr. Andrews realized she wanted to teach while working as a teacher’s assistant in the last couple years of her doctoral program. She enjoyed mentoring her students and was given many outreach opportunities. She quickly developed a passion for teaching. Her undergraduate education also gave her a love for smaller schools. It is important to her that her students be more than “just a number.”
She originally knew of Bluefield from her best friend in college, whose family lived in the town. She saw a job posting in December of 2025 and applied. When Bluefield University offered her the job, she said it was a “no brainer.” Dr. Andrews loved the “energy” of her interview and the family feeling at BU, and she had no doubts about coming to teach here.
“It was definitely a God thing,” Dr. Andrews said.
One of the biggest draws to Bluefield for Dr. Andrews was being able to share her faith with students.
“Being able to openly talk about my faith and incorporate it into my curriculum was probably one of the coolest and drawing things to the university,” Dr. Andrews said.
When asked what she loves most about BU, Dr. Andrews said it’s her students and “getting to have that one-on-one relationship with them, know them, know the sports they play, know what their hobbies are, what they’re involved in, [and] get to relate to them as best I can.”
Dr. Andrews said she always knew the next thing for her. It was always graduate high school, college, then doctoral studies, but now the “next thing” for her is a bit different.
“Next thing is just be the best educator that I can be,” Dr. Andrews said.
With a love for biology, bugs, BU, and Christ, Dr. Olivia Andrews is a great addition to the Bluefield University family.