Student Spotlight: How a Pre-College Program Helped Brett Chaves ’24 Prepare for Dean

Whether you’re looking to get a head start on your college education, build real-world skills or get a taste of college life, our Summer Pre-College Programs can help you get that experience while still in high school. Brett Chaves ’24 attended the Sports Broadcasting Pre-College Program, which ultimately led him to enroll at Dean. Now a Sports Broadcasting major with a minor in Business, Brett is currently in his second year working with the Brockton Rox as the play-by-play voice of the team and the director of broadcasting. He also has plenty of experience both on and off campus with organizations like NESN, the Newport Gulls, FanSided and Wheaton College. We caught up with Brett to find out how the pre-college program helped him prepare for Dean – and for his future – and the advice he has for high school students considering following a similar path.

Q: What was your favorite part of the pre-college program?

A: My favorite part of the entire pre-college program was getting to meet the people who were living my dreams. Seeing these professionals in the broadcast industry just gave me more fuel to achieve my goals.

Q: How did the pre-college program help you decide to attend Dean?

A: This program absolutely influenced my decision to attend Dean. Professor John Rooke, Director of the Center for Business, Entertainment and Sport Management, is a phenomenal instructor, and I wanted to chance to learn under his wing again.

Q: How did the pre-college program help you prepare for your college experience?

A: I believe this program helped me prepare for college in several ways. For one, I actually got to experience living on campus for the first time. Not many students have that advanced opportunity. I also got to meet so many people in the industry, setting me up with connections for future internships. Lastly, it taught me professionalism and creativity. Those two qualities are crucial when in the work environment.

Q: What sports broadcasting experiences have you gained since attending the pre-college program?

A: Professor Rooke taught me so much within sports broadcasting while at the program. I gained confidence in my speaking voice (projection, tone, etc.) I also learned how to develop my stories, especially in baseball (my current field of study). Lastly, he taught me that there is no dumb question in sports. The only dumb question is the one you don’t ask.

Q: What advice do you have for high school students attending or thinking about attending pre-college programs?

A: I would say that college is going to bring a lot of adversity, and through all of it, you need to stay confident. This program is a great first step in figuring out what you want to do with your career. Dean offers many paths on campus, and being able to live there during the summer to experience it is an opportunity waiting to be explored. Take it.

Interested in getting started on your college experience? Learn more and register for Summer Pre-College Programs at Dean College.