Myles Hairston '14

Hairston Returns To Shenandoah As Assistant Director of Brandt Student Center Facility Operations.

“My fondest memory of Shenandoah is gaining the opportunity to come back and give what was sowed into me. Of many, the main things were mentorship and the chance to inspire and develop student leaders,” said Alumni Association Board of Directors member Myles Hairston ’14, ‘16.

During his time as an undergraduate student, Hairston worked in several different departments at the university. “Of all the different areas, the most influential to me was working with Student Life and Residence Life. In these departments, I was given various opportunities to meet the student body along with planning and hosting events, but most of all, I was able to create an environment to have a positive impact on my fellow classmates.” These departments afforded him the chance to engage with various student populations which created a thirst of becoming an ethical and reflective thinker.

Hairston holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communications from Shenandoah, and Immediately after graduating again from Shenandoah with his Master of Business Administration degree from the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business, Hairston was given the opportunity to return as a shuttle driver and then transitioned into the summer conference coordinator for the university. Within a year’s time, Hairston has been promoted to assistant director of Brandt Student Center facility operations. In this role, his has a direct impact on students as he supervises work-study students for the Information Desk, Game Room, and Event Services staff, as well as developing Student Supervisors who oversee the facility after hours. Through this experience, Hairston is a firm believer of Zechariah 4:10 “Do not despise small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…”

He is an alumni member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Alpha Kappa Psi (Psi Delta) fraternities and an active member of Harambee Gospel Choir. “One thing that I love about SU is their ability to engage the community, faculty, and staff to participate in student groups. One of which is Harambee.”

Hairston feels that it’s important for him to give back to SU so that he can be a part of improving the education, experience, and diversity of the campus environment. His overall experience as both an undergraduate and graduate student, and now an employee, motivated him to encourage other to make the best of their time at �Ļ�Ӱ��. “As a student, I never applied for the Global Citizenship Project. As an employee, I refused to let this opportunity pass me by. Excitedly, I applied and went on the 2018 GCP trip to Rwanda. This was truly an eye-opening and life-changing experience.”

Hairston holds close to his heart his two older brothers, mother, and memories of his father. Having a true passion for baking, he is reminded of what his father often said which is a reference to baking a life in general, “Do you, put your own spin to it, there’s only one you.”