VCU Alumni’s 10 Under 10 awards program recognizes the noteworthy and distinctive achievements made by alumni who earned their first VCU degree (undergraduate, graduate or professional) within the past 10 years.

This year's recognitions include Dre'mon Miller ('15 B.S.), Professor and program head, Criminal Justice, Reynolds Community College; Founder, Street Smartz Over Safety.

All 2024 honorees — the 10th group of alumni to receive this special honor — will be recognized Oct. 19 at a private ceremony.

Over the past decade, Dre’mon Miller (B.S.’15) has worked toward two goals: teaching the Richmond community about criminal justice and supporting youth mental health.

Miller studied criminal justice at VCU and developed experience in the field as a correctional officer at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center and as an officer with the Virginia Division of Capitol Police. In 2018, Miller started teaching criminal justice in the Richmond Public Schools. 

“I try to be genuine and honest with students. What I’ve learned is that by showing them that you care first, all of the scores and the rest of that always come, because they don’t want to let you down.” – Dre'mon Miller

Teaching high school gave Miller an opportunity to be the mentor he wishes he’d had as a teenager. “I try to be genuine and honest with students,” Miller says. “What I’ve learned is that by showing them that you care first, all of the scores and the rest of that always come, because they don’t want to let you down.”

When Miller and a colleague noticed students struggling with mental health issues, they established a Love Yourself Day at their school. They brought in barbers and stylists to cut and braid students’ hair and hosted an alumna to talk about healthy relationships. 

In 2020, when the pandemic kept students at home, Miller visited them, delivering supplies so they could continue learning through hands-on projects. Later that year, he made holiday gifts to drop off for students, “just to make sure they knew we care and to help them feel successful,” Miller says. In 2021, Miller was chosen as the Richmond Technical Center’s Teacher of the Year. 

This year, Miller started a new job: overseeing the criminal justice program at Reynolds Community College in Richmond. Miller draws on his connections in local law enforcement to help students get to know officers and gain valuable work experience. 

Since 2022, Miller has fostered connections between the Richmond community and law enforcement through Street Smartz Over Safety, an organization he created. Street Smartz helps educate community members about criminal justice and lifesaving procedures. He and his team lead workshops at schools and community centers on issues like gun violence, family communication and stress management. Miller hopes he can help kids develop vital life skills. “If you can prepare for things before they happen, you can manage life no matter where you go,” he says.