SAM BANDARA, is a professor, lecturer, Teacher, adviser, mentor, leader, innovator, problem solver, trainer, educator, and consultant. SAM teaches courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, including Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Managerial Economics, Business Analytics, Data Analytics, Business and Society, Leading Organizations, Modern Marketing Financial Management, Seminar in Finance, Health Care Finance and Control, Entrepreneurial Finance, Investment Management, International Financial Management, Capstone Project.

He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, specializing in Agri. Economics & Extension, Agri. Engineering, Animal Science, Crop Science, Biochemistry, Food Science, Statistics, and Soil Science in 1995 at The University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, and his Master’s degree inEnvironmental Economics, specializing in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Mathematical Economics, Econometrics, Resource Economics, Agricultural Policy Analysis, Sustainable Development and Environmental Policy, Environmental Valuation, Environmental Impact Assessment, Environment and Industry. Operation Research, Research Project in 2003, at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. His research interests include Rural economic development and policy issues; Natural resource and environmental economics; Health economics and policy applications; Energy economics, global warming, and climate change; and Agribusiness management and food sustainability.

He achieved his Master of Business Administration in Finance in 2020 at Fayetteville State University, NC. He graduated in 2012 with a Ph.D. degree in Natural Resource Economics from West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV.SAM has extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. He is a Member: Member, Southern Regional Science Association (SRSA), USA, Gamma Sigma Delta, the National Honors Society of Agriculture, Member of Southern Agricultural Economics Association (SAEA), USA, 2013, Member of Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, Because of his passion for higher education, John is a member of the Associate of South Asian Network for Development and Environmental Economics (SANDEE), Nepal. He won an Award for the best presenter of the session of Agricultural Economics at the 15th annual congress of PGIA, University of Peradeniya in 2003. His Dissertation Research includes An Empirical Analysis of the Health Implications and Costs of Obesity in Appalachia. SAM is passionate about supporting students, increasing student achievement for all students, and helping students have fulfilling and rewarding educational experiences.