When Devoun Stewart arrived in the United States from Jamaica, he already held a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. What he did not yet have was a roadmap for navigating American higher education, or a sense of where he belonged in this new academic landscape. That journey began at Brookdale Community College

Brookdale was a natural first choice. Several members of Devoun’s extended family had studied there before him and gone on to successful careers, particularly in healthcare and the sciences. When it was time for him to restart his education in the United States, Brookdale felt familiar, trusted, and welcoming.

“I still remember my very first visit to campus,” Devoun recalled. “I was nervous. I had already earned a degree in Jamaica, but this was my first time studying in the U.S. I didn’t know what to expect.”

That anxiety quickly gave way to reassurance. From his initial advising appointment, where staff carefully reviewed his international transcripts, to his first classes, Devoun felt seen and supported. Though he enrolled as a science student, he chose courses in the social sciences that broadened his perspective, including a comparative religion class that left a lasting impression.

“That course really expanded how I understood different belief systems and perspectives,” he said. “It shaped the way I think, even today.”

Beyond the classroom, Brookdale became a place of belonging. Through the International Education Center, Devoun received hands-on guidance that helped him navigate academics, policies, and life in a new country. “They wrapped their arms around me from the beginning,” he said. “That kindness mattered more than people realize.”

A pivotal moment came when Devoun introduced himself to a faculty member in the Chemistry Department. What began as a conversation turned into an opportunity to serve as a learning assistant in a night chemistry course.

“That experience changed my career trajectory,” Devoun said. “Before that, I was focused on medical sciences. I had never imagined myself teaching.”

Working alongside motivated, often working-adult students opened his eyes to the transformative power of community colleges. He also held student support roles on campus, gaining insight into how services like advising, ID processing, and student engagement intersect to support student success.

“For the first time, I saw how much heart there is in community college work,” he said. “How deeply people care about students.”

After about a year at Brookdale, Devoun applied to graduate school and was accepted to Howard University, where he earned his PhD in physical chemistry. He later completed a master’s degree in education policy and management at Harvard University, seeking a deeper understanding of leadership, policy, and systems-level change.

Yet even as his academic credentials grew, Brookdale remained foundational.

“Every time I came back to New Jersey, I visited Brookdale,” he said. “It was a special place for me.”

Devoun’s career eventually took him to California, where he taught at both four-year institutions and community colleges. The pull toward the community college mission never faded. He went on to serve as a professor, a dean, and ultimately as a senior academic leader at Sacramento City College.

Today, Dr. Stewart serves as a chief instructional officer, a role shaped by his early experiences at Brookdale. He credits the College with influencing how he approaches student success, particularly for international, first-generation, and adult learners.

“The first touchpoint into an institution matter,” he explained. “Students need clarity, warmth, and systems that make it easy to navigate college.”

Devoun believes the future of higher education depends on equity, workforce alignment, and adaptability, especially as artificial intelligence reshapes teaching and learning. But at the center of it all, he says, are students.

“I’ve sat across from students who inspire me every day,” he said. “They’re breaking barriers, entering fields where they’ve been historically excluded, and changing the trajectory of their families.”

Despite his accomplishments, Devoun is quick to point out what is often overlooked.

“People see the title, not the journey,” he said. “They don’t see the student who arrived here from Jamaica with doubts and fear. They don’t see the sacrifices, the community support, the moments of uncertainty.”

Brookdale, he says, helped him see what was possible.

“There’s a lot of heart on that campus,” Devoun reflected. “Brookdale looked at a student like me and said, ‘We will support you at this moment in your life.’ That made all the difference.”

And it is why, years later, he still raves about where it all began.