Steve Clayton: Leading with Purpose

Steve Clayton, a former Brookdale Community College student and first-generation college graduate, has spent over a year serving as a trustee on the Board of Brookdale Community College. Clayton’s journey from Ocean Township High School to Brookdale and eventually to the University of Maryland-College Park highlights the personal significance he places on community college education and its transformative potential.

As a member of the Finance and Facilities, Governance, and Audit committees, Clayton has fully embraced his role, contributing his skills and experience to guide Brookdale’s future. Reflecting on his time as a trustee, he shared, “I’m on several boards, but this is by far my favorite. The transparency and collaboration that President David Stout brings to the table are incredible. His proactive communication ensures we are all informed and working towards the best outcomes for our students.”

Clayton’s connection to Brookdale is personal. “It means a lot to me, as a former Brookdale student, to come full circle and help the next generation of students beat the odds and do great things,” he said. As a former work-study student in the athletic department, Clayton fondly remembers his time working alongside coaches like Jack Ryan and Bo Scannapieco in the old gym before it was renovated into a large, expansive arena. This grounding in Brookdale’s culture, combined with his professional background, brings valuable insight into his work on the board.

Clayton’s professional background in financial services, nonprofit leadership, and public policy, combined with his Brookdale experience, provides invaluable perspective in his role as a trustee. His diverse experience allows him to apply strong management skills to the board. “I bring a certain level of management where I can look at many moving parts and help navigate discussions about student enrollment, repairs needed in buildings, and long-term facilities planning,” he explained.

Beyond the technical aspects of his role, Clayton takes pride in being approachable and fostering a culture of openness on campus. “I think anyone knows they can come to me—whether it’s a board member or a staff member—and express feedback. People feel very comfortable talking to me,” he said. “That’s something I take great pride in, that someone can see me around campus and talk to me, knowing I will treat their input with the utmost respect.”

Clayton’s dedication to Brookdale’s growth is unwavering. He is passionate about ensuring that Brookdale remains a leader in community education and student support. He highlighted the recent developments on campus, including the Caroline Huber Holistic Wellness Center and the growing partnerships with local institutions. “Programs like the Wellness Center and cybersecurity initiatives were unthinkable when I was a student. Brookdale has grown tremendously, and it’s attracting students from outside the county because of its reputation.”

Despite his success, Clayton remains humble, acknowledging the importance of the support he received along the way. “I’m successful because people believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself,” he reflected. He attributes much of his personal and professional growth to the encouragement he received from Brookdale’s faculty during his student years, naming Professor Jim Cody and Professor Jane Scimeca as influential mentors who helped shape his journey.

Clayton’s advice for students is simple yet powerful: do not be afraid to fail. “So many of my successes came from mistakes,” he said. “I see students playing it safe out of fear of failure, but sometimes it’s better to take a risk, learn from it, and grow.” For Clayton, success is not defined by titles or money but by happiness and fulfillment in life and career.

Having worked on Wall Street for J.P. Morgan and Bank of America, Clayton found that financial success did not provide the sense of purpose he sought. This led him to pursue a master’s degree in public policy and management at Carnegie Mellon, which launched his career in nonprofit and government work. Now a Senior Director at a nonprofit helping young people with disabilities, Clayton is driven to give others the opportunities he was fortunate to receive.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Clayton enjoys an active and vibrant personal life. A passionate concertgoer, he attends dozens of shows a year, including recent performances by Pink and Hootie and the Blowfish. “I’m one of those mindsets that you live once. I try never to say no to opportunities because you never know when you’ll get another chance.” In addition to his love of music, Clayton is also a marathon runner, currently training for the New York City Marathon, and a devoted Giants and Mets fan, embracing the ups and downs of his favorite teams.

As Clayton continues his tenure as a trustee, he is committed to giving back to the community and ensuring that Brookdale students receive the same opportunities he was fortunate enough to experience. “A trustee gets what they put into it,” he remarked. “I want to be as involved as possible, from attending meetings to being present at campus events. It’s a privilege to serve this institution, and I don’t take it for granted.”

With his extensive background and dedication to Brookdale, Steve Clayton is helping shape the future of the college, ensuring it remains a vital resource for Monmouth County and beyond. His journey from student to trustee exemplifies the power of education and the importance of giving back.

Featured photo: Steve Clayton after running the 2022 Chicago Marathon.