Breaking Barriers, Building Futures: Dr. Stephanie D’Alessio

From her early days working with adjudicated youth to her leadership in educational advocacy, Brookdale Community College Trustee Dr. Stephanie D’Alessio’s career has been driven by a steadfast belief: that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, no matter the barriers they face.

“My educational philosophy has always been rooted in breaking barriers and promoting success for at-risk and underserved youth,” she shared. “Serving as a trustee for Brookdale offers me the opportunity to continue that commitment—to support initiatives that offer broad, equitable access to quality education.”

Dr. D’Alessio brings a wealth of experience to the Brookdale Board of Trustees, shaped by a lifelong career in K–12 education, and nonprofit leadership. Her firsthand understanding of the challenges students encounter gives her a unique lens when helping to shape college policies and programs. “My background has given me an invaluable insight into the needs of diverse student populations,” she explained. “And my nonprofit work helped me hone skills in advocacy, strategic planning, and building strong community partnerships—skills that directly translate to supporting Brookdale’s mission.”

Her professional foundation is strengthened by a deep commitment to learning. Dr. D’Alessio earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Monmouth University, as well as a B.A. and M.A. in Education from Seton Hall University. She also holds a DoS Certification in Evaluation and Assessment of STEM Programming from the PEAR Institute at Harvard University—credentials that reflect her dedication to advancing educational excellence and lifelong growth.

Since joining the Board, Dr. D’Alessio has served on both the Student Success and Audit Committees, working alongside her colleagues to champion student access, inclusion, and excellence. One of her proudest moments has been celebrating Brookdale’s recognition as the #1 community college in New Jersey for three consecutive years. “That distinction is a testament to the amazing leadership of Dr. Stout and the strategic vision of Dr. Lynch in maintaining and enhancing high quality education and support for our faculty and students,” she said, reflecting on the teamwork that fuels Brookdale’s continued success.

For Dr. D’Alessio, success isn’t measured in accolades alone. It’s measured in growth. “Whether it’s a student moving from a ninth grade reading level to a college level after a basic skills class, or a young person finding their confidence through mentorship, success is about growth—for the student and for the educator supporting them.”

That philosophy of growth and empowerment inspired her to create the Soaring with STEAM program for the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, a groundbreaking initiative that has reached tens of thousands of students across underserved communities. “I wanted to combine my love of education and wildlife to spark curiosity in young minds,” she said. “Experiential learning—getting students hands-on and minds-on—creates lasting engagement and empowers students to become stewards of their world.”

A champion for women in STEM and a published scholar, she is especially proud of her dissertation work, which focused on self-identity and gender disparities in STEM fields. “There’s a real need to help young girls see themselves in these roles. Mentorship, visibility, and representation matter,” she emphasized. Her advice for young women? “If you love the work, go for it. The best career choice is the one you’d pursue if someone handed you a $100 million check and said you had to work to get it—because passion is everything.”

Dr. D’Alessio’s deep commitment to service extends far beyond Brookdale. She remains active on the Education Advisory Council for the Conserve Wildlife Foundation, where she continues to advocate for wildlife conservation and environmental education. For her, service is a calling. “This commitment to helping others drives me—to serve with passion and purpose, whether it’s for students, the environment, or my community.”

Looking ahead, she says her journey is guided by faith and purpose. “I believe my passion for children and animal advocacy is a gift meant to be shared. I’m committed to using my voice, skills, and experience to create meaningful change.”

Despite her busy schedule, Dr. D’Alessio finds balance in the simple joys of life: relaxing at her home by the beach, spending quiet time with her beloved cats, Sheba and Obi, and reflecting by the ocean. “I love just sitting, watching the water. It’s grounding.”

She also stays connected to Brookdale’s mission in her personal life—currently reading Poverty-Informed Practice in Education, the College’s Global Read book. “Staying informed about our initiatives helps me be a better trustee,” she said.

From the moment she first joined Brookdale’s Board, Dr. D’Alessio knew she had found a special community. “I was welcomed with open arms. The onboarding was so thorough, the team so supportive—Brookdale immediately felt like a family of people who genuinely love education and service. To be among such esteemed colleagues is truly humbling.”

In every role she takes on, Dr. Stephanie D’Alessio leads with compassion, integrity, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of education. Her journey is a reminder that when barriers are broken and passions pursued, real and lasting change is possible—for students, for communities, and for the world.