Austin Clayton was a student at Southern Polytechnic State University throughout the Kennesaw State University-Southern Polytechnic State University consolidation process. He served as the president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, as well as the president of the Student Government Association. Clayton was involved in the student protest against consolidation and was one of three SPSU student and alumni representatives to address the Board of Regents in November 2013, prior to the vote on consolidation.