It’s All About Being Positive for Alumnus Clifton Shambry

by Angela Daidone  |  Winter 2022

Ask Clifton Shambry ’12 about his experience as a Ramapo student and he always speaks in positive terms. He is proud to have developed wonderful relationships at the College and to have met people who encouraged him to cultivate his professional interests. He is grateful to be the first in his family to earn a degree and is so honored that “Ramapo took a chance on him” as an EOF transfer student. “One of the greatest things Ramapo offers is opportunities to get involved. It only takes one opportunity to help you gain experiences, knowledge and networks to excel, which is why I believe I am where I am today!” says Shambry, who majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and was involved in several organizations on campus. The Millville, N.J., native earned his master’s in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Teachers College of Columbia University in 2014.

Shambry has channeled all that positive vibe into a successful career at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, where he – not surprisingly – helps students tap into their own positive energy. “As the Assistant Director of Life Design for Diversity and Inclusion, I get to help folks see themselves as an asset in their life journey as they seek to build a well-lived and joyful life,” said Shambry, adding that life design uses design thinking principles to help people solve the problem of designing one’s life. “At the core of designing your life is being curious, talking to people about your curiosities, trying stuff out and showing your work.”

Life design also involves bringing new perspectives that help others see how they can be more supporting and inclusive in their own work. For example, supporting non-binary individuals by suggesting usage of pronouns when introducing oneself and/or renaming oneself in virtual meetings to include one’s pronouns. Another example is helping folks realize that there might be more positional power in one role over another yet not more value in those roles.

 “Being my authentic self has helped me connect with others and help them connect with others so they can thrive,” Shambry said. “This was not always the case. I had to continue to learn what it meant to be my authentic self and feared negative treatment being my true self.”

He discussed his email tag that states Believe, Be Kind & Be True to Yourself.

“I was in a reflective moment in April 2020 working through the challenge of the pandemic and needed some encouragement. I reflected on my own journey and why I am doing the work that I’m doing. I shared my story with others and on social media, as part of life design is showing your work. I added those words to my email signature for a consistent reminder.

His advice to Ramapo students?

“Be yourself now and for your future self! It will help you get what you want and need in life.”