Serving Community with Purpose

Deron Hines '18

Deron Hines ’18:

Born and raised in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Deron Hines ’18 has always felt a deep responsibility to give back to the community that shaped him. Today, that commitment has come full circle. A Framingham State University graduate and recently elected Chelsea City Councilor representing District II, Hines is building a career - and a life - rooted in service. Hines chose Framingham State after visiting several colleges across Massachusetts, drawn by the opportunity to play football and by the University’s welcoming, close-knit environment. “It just felt like home,” he recalls. “It was the right size, with the right resources, and far enough from home to gain independence without feeling disconnected.”At FSU, Hines describes his experience as a true coming-of-age. A Sociology major, he navigated the challenges of college athletics while also discovering his identity as a student and leader. Along the way, he formed meaningful relationships with faculty and staff, including Vice President for Student Success Dr. Lorretta Holloway and Sociology Professor Patricia Sanchez-Connally, connections that would later draw him back to campus as part of the Alumni of Color Network.Hines was also an inaugural member, and later president, of Brother2Brother, a student-led affinity group for male students of color. The organization became a vital source of support and belonging.

“For many of us, there was a feeling of imposter syndrome,” he says. “Having that brotherhood meant everything. It was a group of guys who genuinely cared about each other’s success.”

Beyond campus life, Hines worked with the MetroWest College Planning Collaborative, mentoring high school students and helping expand access to higher education. After graduating, he continued his work with youth and families through roles at the Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester, Framingham State’s Admissions Office, and, currently, Compass, a nonprofit providing wraparound social services. He is now pursuing a Master of Social Work degree with the goal of becoming a clinician. With a firm footing in his career, Hines turned his attention back to Chelsea, successfully running for City Council. His priorities include expanding programming for youth ages 12 to 18, strengthening housing protections, and creating more accessible pathways for civic engagement. “We can do a better job meeting people where they're at,” he says - a philosophy that continues to guide his work, from Framingham State to City Hall.