Kean Kicks Off Global Research Collaboration Initiative on Two Continents

Kean University has launched a collaborative international research initiative aimed at advancing research to benefit communities served by its campuses in the United States and China. 

The President’s Global-Local Anchor Institution Research Grant Program, a new competitive grant initiative, will provide support for research projects at Kean University in New Jersey and Wenzhou-Kean University in China. 

“My vision is for Kean to be a global research university that serves as an anchor to our host communities and prepares Kean students around the globe for their careers of choice, including those that do not yet exist,” said Kean University President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.   

Kean is currently pursuing a designation as an R2 research institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. As New Jersey’s urban research university, the University also works to address issues in urban communities in its region.  

The President’s Global-Local Anchor Institution Research initiative emerged from the first President’s Academic Retreat, which brought the largest academic delegation in Kean University’s history to WKU in October. 

“My motivation to call for this retreat was an important step forward in moving both campuses to the next level,” Repollet said. “Since teaching, learning, scholarship and research are at the heart of Kean, bringing colleagues together from both campuses to discuss collaboration and new program development is not only exciting, it is essential.” 

The Wenzhou retreat brought together faculty and academic leaders from both campuses to explore topics including cross-campus collaboration, new academic program development, and expanded student research opportunities. Participants in the conference also discussed three initial topics for potential research collaboration: health and mental health; sustainability; and aging. 

The President’s Global-Local Anchor Institution Research Grant Program is designed to spark research by providing funding for students, faculty and staff at both campuses to collaborate on research projects. 

Cary Anderson, Ed.D., executive vice chancellor at Wenzhou-Kean University, said the global research initiative will provide substantial benefits to the University, its students on two continents and the international community.

“As educators, we know well the benefits students gain from engaging in research,” Anderson said. “This global collaboration between Kean University and Wenzhou-Kean University will open up even more opportunities, giving our University and students an extraordinary platform to conduct important research. With this partnership, we can dive into areas like sustainability, health and wellness, and so much more.”

Kean Vice President for Research Susannah Porterfield, Ed.D., said the global research initiative offers substantial benefits to the University and its students. 

“Universities engaged in global research projects attract top-tier faculty and students, drawn by opportunities to work on collaborative research and gain international experience,” she said. 

The grant program is set to launch in Spring 2025, with WKU providing initial funding for five pilot research projects. The next steps for the Global-Local Anchor Institution research include a visit by the Wenzhou contingent to Kean USA, planned in January.