“My favorite aspect of Averett is that you can get a top notch degree and still experience the benefit of developing personal and genuine relationships with your professors. I still see and occasionally interact with many of the professors I had almost 40 years ago. I love the fact that the staff and faculty are part of the Danville community and that they still make me feel like I’m part of the Averett Family.” – Dean Hairston, BFA’84
Dean Hairston graduated from Averett in 1984 with Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Dean’s undergraduate degree laid the educational foundation for a life-long and continued learning experience for him. It provided the structure he needed to be successful in the business sector, and provided important social skills to effectively communicate with those in his community and career.
Deputy Chief Hairston’s degree not only gave him the foundation for his law enforcement career, but allowed him to excel in it as well. Dean has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. However, his achievements do not stop there. He has had the privilege of speaking on Capitol Hill, C-SPAN, PBS, CBS, and the History Channel. Also, he has been invited to the White House on three different occasions as a Subject Matter Expert on Police Intelligence and Communications. Dean has also graduated from the FBI National Academy Class #246 in 2011; where he was invited back to teach grant writing.
Dean’s advice to students is to “Focus on learning everything you can, but most of all; Enjoy the Journey! You will never have another networking opportunity like the academic process, so make the most of it!”
Learn more about Averett’s Criminal Justice & Sociology Programs!