Kean Ocean Student Veteran Builds Lasting Legacy for Fellow Veterans

After more than two decades in the New Jersey Army National Guard, retired U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Clayton is leaving a lasting mark at Kean Ocean, building a stronger, more connected community for student veterans.

Clayton, a public administration major graduating with honors this spring, founded the Student Veteran Organization at Kean Ocean and served as its president, creating a space for veterans to connect, access resources and support one another.

“I wanted to make sure Kean Ocean veterans felt like they were part of the campus community,” Clayton said. “I see that as my proudest legacy.”

Clayton built on experience he gained at Ocean County College, where he revived a dormant veterans association before transferring to Kean Ocean through the institutions’ established pathway. At Kean, he recognized a similar need and worked with campus leadership to establish a student veterans organization, assisting peers in navigating benefits and available resources.

Maureen Byrne, associate director at Kean Ocean, said Clayton’s initiative has had a meaningful and lasting impact.

“He gets an idea and brings people together to make it happen,” Byrne said. “Andrew came here and helped welcome the next generation of veteran students at Kean Ocean.”

Clayton’s leadership has also reshaped campus traditions. During a Veterans Day flag-raising ceremony at Ocean County College, he noticed student veterans were not included in the program. After advocating for their involvement, he was invited to speak. The event has since evolved to prominently feature student veterans at both Ocean County College and Kean Ocean.

He also expanded his advocacy beyond campus, attending the National Conference for Student Veterans of America in Colorado this past January, where he learned best practices to strengthen support for military-affiliated students.

Clayton’s journey to Kean Ocean followed a 21-year career in the New Jersey Army National Guard, including deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa. He retired in 2026.

With graduation approaching, Clayton has already secured a full-time position at Brookdale Community College's Veterans Center.

“He’s proactive and determined,” Byrne said. “It’s inspiring to see how his experience working with veterans in higher education has shaped his career path.”