Michael Arafol Sia may have joined the Flyers family late in his college career, but he’s all in on the mission.

Sia is a contract negotiator for the United States Air Force, based out of Wright Patterson Air Force Base, and CEO of Bandila Studios. He graduated from UD with a degree in finance in 2020 and from the University of Dayton School of Law in May 2023 with a master’s in the study of law through the school’s government contracting program.

As an undergraduate student, Sia transferred to UD during his junior year and helped influence the Asian American Association of Students, which was in its infancy. He became president of the association just one year later. He is a previous member of day10, the University of Dayton Alumni Association’s young alumni board, and continues to share his time and expertise with current Flyers.

Sia is also the founder and CEO of bandilastudios.com, a graphic design and marketing platform for busy business owners. He launched the business in 2018 while still a student as part of the University’s Flyer Pitch competition. He actively works with startup groups and chambers of commerce in Ohio and Tennessee, hosting workshops about organic and ethical marketing. His company is now a sponsor of the Flyer Pitch competition.

In his free time, Sia competes in Ironman triathlons with his father and brother, Air Force Academy cadet Nathan Sia. He attributes his success and blessings to his Catholic faith and to his parents, Rommel and Merazon Sia, who own a physical therapy clinic in his hometown in Tennessee.

Joe Belle Memorial Young Alumni Award
For volunteer service to students and early career achievement

Joe Belle made significant contributions to the University of Dayton's Catholic and Marianist character through his exceptional caring about people.

The Joe Belle Memorial Young Alumni Award is designed to recognize young alumni who carry that same spirit and have shown great promise and accomplishment in their chosen profession, service to their community or service to the University of Dayton and its mission. To be eligible, candidates must have graduated from the University of Dayton within the past 10 years.

Past Recipients

Clementine Bihiga ’09
Mandy Brogdon '04
Maura Carew '04
Jon Dekar ’11
Thomas J. Dharte '05
Justin Forzano '08
John Gravier '08
Laura Schmitz Keefe '05
Michael L. Lofton '05
Matt Maroon '06
Molly MacCready '08
Adam G. Molina '00
James "Scott" Murphy '01
Nicole Miller Olszewski ’08
Daniel Rajaiah '13
Jeffrey P. Rombach '02
Chris Schmidt '99
Michael Vehar '05, '09
Rashad M. Young '98
Sean Young '12