Kean Welcomes New Faculty

More than 50 new faculty members, representing academic disciplines from across the University, are getting lessons in all things Kean during this summer’s new faculty orientation program.

The newcomers are taking part in a three-day orientation that includes tours of campus and information sessions on scholarship, service, technology and more. The group includes about 30 faculty members who are beginning their work at Kean this fall. The remainder started in the spring.

“We are excited to welcome such a diverse and accomplished group to our campus community," said Dawood Farahi, Ph.D., president of Kean University. “We want them to understand the values of the University and the importance we place on delivering a world-class education to our students every day.”

The group is meeting with students, academic leaders and administrators during the orientation. They are learning about student recruitment, marketing and student mentoring. 

Assistant Professor Claire Yun, Ph.D. will be teaching in Kean’s public administration program.

“I had heard that Kean has a diverse campus, with students of all ages and backgrounds,” she said. “I want to communicate with the students and help them learn from each other.”

Assistant Professor Thomas Koc Jr., DPT, Ph.D., had been an adjunct professor in Kean’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program for more than a year before joining the faculty full time for the start of the 2018-2019 academic year. He says he is looking forward to meeting the “new minds and new students.”

We are excited to welcome such a diverse and accomplished group to our campus community.

~ Dawood Farahi, Ph.D., Kean University President

“The students make it worth coming to class. They are very engaging,” he said. “They want to know more, and it brings the educational piece to the next level.”

Felice Vazquez, Kean’s special counsel and vice president for planning, said the orientation program is designed to bring together both the new faculty and the campus community.

“The goal is to create connections and spread our shared enthusiasm for helping Kean University students succeed,” Vazquez said.