RESEARCH

Dr. Hairston’s research agenda is grounded in leadership studies, higher education, and social equity. His major strands of inquiry include:

• Black Male Initiatives & Student Success – Examining strategic planning, mentorship, and retention practices that impact Black male students in higher education.

• STEM Pathways at PWIs – A transcendental phenomenological study on the undergraduate experiences of Black men who earned STEM degrees at predominantly white institutions.

• Generative AI in Higher Education – Investigating how AI tools are used by Black male students at HBCUs, with attention to digital equity and access.

• Mental Health & Suicide Prevention – Leveraging his leadership within the Guilford County Community for Suicide Prevention to address wellness and resilience in Black communities.

• Homelessness & Food Insecurity – Studying structural inequities in housing and hunger through his role with the Interactive Resource Center and countywide policy projects.

His funded scholarship and collaborative projects have received support from foundations, state agencies, and university initiatives.