Making It Happen

Sitting in her office located on the third floor of the University Center, Mindy Bandiera is making dreams come true, not only for herself, but for the Kean campus community and beyond. As the vice president for funded groups for the full-time undergraduate student government, she is dedicated to making a positive change at the university. Just two years ago, Mindy was an active member of the Portuguese American club for Kean (PACK) and served as treasurer from 2007-2008, and president from 2008-2009. During this time, she was also actively involved in Student Organization of Kean University, which helped to pave the road towards her current position. "I dreamt big, and made it happen," Mindy said. Mindy, a commuter student, took the train to school, but she did not let that stop her from attending the various activities featured on campus. She encourages getting involved. "People focus on all the issues, and bypass the opportunities. The doors are always open," she stated. Mindy is committed to solving issues and making life easier for students and faculty.
Mindy accredits many people at Kean and the programs offered at the University, such as the leadership retreat, to shaping who she has now become. She became inspired by speakers like Jonathan Sprinkles at the retreat and bonded with fellow students and faculty. "There were no barriers at the retreat. There were just people coming together," she stated a bit teary-eyed. "It is all about teamwork." She also would like to thank her guardian angels from her department on the third floor, who have helped her with their guidance and direction and stated that big things will be occurring during her involvement with Student Organization that will benefit the Kean campus community, which she adores.

Currently, Mindy is a senior majoring in elementary education with a concentration in earth science and has an anticipated graduation date of May 2010. She is the first of her family members to attend college and sees herself as a big role model for her younger sisters. As she awaits the day when she will be handed her diploma and can call herself a graduate of Kean, she knows that she will not be leaving the university behind. Mindy wishes to obtain a Master's at Kean and move forward with her education. Though she does not know exactly what she will master in, she knows it will be education related. She hopes to come back to Kean and acquire a Ph.D. after achieving her Master's degree.

Mindy is an active member of the Lambda Alpha Sigma honor society and the Kappa Delta Pi honor society and has been working as a peer liaison at the reading and study skills lab in Hutchinson Hall for the past three years. In her spare time, she likes to relax and be with friends, travel, and see new things. She enjoys participating in community service activities, focusing on children and the elderly, and when asked about her plans for the future, she left the answer to be discovered in time, saying "I have a plan, though I'm not going to reveal it.