Brookdale Hosts Inaugural President’s Summit of Monmouth Mayors to Strengthen Local Partnerships

Brookdale Community College welcomed mayors and local officials from the greater Monmouth County area to its inaugural President’s Summit of Monmouth Mayors, a signature event celebrating New Jersey Local Government Week and National Community College Month. The morning gathering, led by Brookdale President Dr. David M. Stout, provided a dynamic platform for collaboration between the College and municipalities across Monmouth County, spotlighting shared opportunities to build stronger, smarter communities.

“This summit is about building stronger bridges between Brookdale and the communities we serve,” said President Stout. “By working together, we can address the challenges our towns face and create new opportunities for residents across Monmouth County.”

The program opened with welcome remarks from Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone and NJ Conference of Mayors President Mayor Robert Conley, with a special video address from Mayor Ricardo Rio of Braga, Portugal, Chair of the Global Parliament of Mayors.

“More and more, the voices of mayors are being heard on a global stage,” said Rio. “Through international partnerships and local solutions, we are shaping the future.”

Commissioner Arnone emphasized the value of smart investment and collaboration. “Brookdale isn’t just the number one community college in New Jersey, it’s an essential part of what makes Monmouth County such a desirable place to live and work,” he said. “Our commitment to supporting the College with resources and partnerships is an investment in the future of our workforce, economy, and quality of life.”

Brookdale’s leadership team then presented four key initiatives for municipal collaboration:

Securing Your City’s Future: Led by Professor Mike Qaissaunee and NJ Chief Information Security Officer Michael T. Geraghty, this session highlighted urgent threats to municipal data and the training Brookdale provides to prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

“Most local governments don’t have the resources to defend against cyber threats on their own,” said Geraghty. “That’s where we come in, offering risk assessments, monitoring tools, and expert guidance to help municipalities protect their systems and recover quickly. We’re here to help, and our services are free.”

Cultivating Community Entrepreneurs: Dr. Jackeline Mejias-Fuertes, Director of Brookdale’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), emphasized the importance of supporting small business creation and growth at the local level.

“At the SBDC, we offer one-on-one confidential business counseling, access to capital, training workshops, disaster recovery assistance, and pitch competitions to help startups and existing businesses thrive.”

The SBDC, supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the New Jersey Business Action Center, and Brookdale as the host institution, has made a measurable impact. Over the past two years, the center helped launch approximately 100 new businesses annually and provided over $10 million in capital infusion to local companies. These services have not only fueled economic growth but also helped preserve and create jobs across Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Upskilling Local Workforces: Dr. Susan Pagano, Executive Director of Continuing & Professional Studies, discussed Brookdale’s robust offerings in job training, career certification, and customized employee development.

“What makes us unique is our ability to customize training programs to meet the specific needs of any business or municipality,” said Pagano. “Whether it’s basic computer skills, project management, or industry-specific certifications, we can build a program tailored to your team. Because we’re a college, we have access to expert faculty across so many fields—and that allows us to design high-impact learning experiences that drive results.”

Developing the Next Municipal Workforce: Interim Dean Jill Donovan showcased Brookdale’s internship, job-shadowing, and civic engagement programs that connect students with real-world public service opportunities.

“We have programs that are designed for transfer and then programs that are designed to get students right into the career,” said Donovan. “Every single student that goes here can benefit from an internship. At Brookdale, we’re not just preparing students for jobs, we’re preparing them to serve their communities. Whether it’s through internships in local government, job-shadowing opportunities, or civic engagement programs, we’re helping students see a future in public service. Mayors can take this message back home: the next generation of your municipal workforce is already here—and we’re ready to connect you with them.”

Brookdale’s student body was represented by Student Life Board President Montez Schwartz, who shared his path to Brookdale and recent acceptance into The College of New Jersey public policy program. “Brookdale students are everywhere working, learning, and leading in your towns. Your continued support of this institution makes that possible.”

“Every dollar invested in Brookdale goes back into the community many times over because community colleges are economic engines for the county,” said President Stout. “The dollars invested here help create jobs that feed the economy.”

The event concluded with a group visit to Brookdale’s award-winning Esports Arena, which is open to the public and offered a glimpse into how the college is preparing students for high-tech careers in gaming, digital media, and beyond.

Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Community Relations Ed Johnson, who organized the summit, emphasized its lasting impact. “No partnership is too big or too small. Today was about planting seeds for lasting, local solutions—and this is just the beginning.”

Brookdale plans to make the President’s Summit of Monmouth Mayors an annual tradition.