Recent Dean Grad, Brett Chaves, Is Knocking it Out of the Park

Brett Chaves, a sports broadcasting major, with a minor in business, graduated with honors from Dean on May 18, 2024. Brett was also the recipient of Dean’s Excellence in Leadership Award. This award is the highest leadership honor bestowed on a student and given to someone who has contributed significantly to the extra- and co-curricular life of the College throughout their time at Dean.

 We caught up with Brett to find out how his experience at Dean shaped him and what he’s up to now.

Q: How would you describe your time as a student at Dean?

Throughout my four years at Dean, I became immensely more confident in my independence and was able to forge my own path. My professors and advisors gave me the resources to do so, but it was ultimately up to me to find that success. If I had gone to another school, I don’t think my independence would have grown as much as it has.

Q: What is your favorite memory from your time at Dean?

My favorite memory from Dean has to be meeting all of my friends. Without my core group of friends, I don’t think I would have enjoyed the college experience as much as I did. They made it so easy to be myself and to get involved in all the fun programs that Dean provides. I owe it all to them.

Q: How did Dean prepare you for the future?

Dean really empowers faculty and staff to give you the preparation and resources needed to go out and explore your career possibilities. Through Dean, I got the opportunity to do the play-by-play broadcast for select games for the Providence Bruins. It’s surreal to be broadcasting a game with thousands of fans inside Amica Mutual Pavilion. Having that experience of calling hockey at the AHL level definitely gave me an advantage when I started looking for a full-time job. At Dean, I was given the tools to go out and find success, as well as the opportunity to make countless connections that stretch across the country.

Q: What are you doing now?

Because of the support I got at Dean and my professor’s connections, I had a full-time job lined up even before I graduated in May. I am currently working for the New England Knockouts, a professional baseball team in Massachusetts, as the Director of Broadcast and Media Relations. I oversee all the broadcast and media activities, including play-by-play commentary, drafting/distributing press releases, managing media events, facilitating player appearances, and assisting with branding and sponsorships.