Kean Welcomes New Faculty for Fall Semester

Kean University welcomed more than 50 new faculty members this year as the University continues to climb higher in both scholarly research and transformational teaching.

New faculty from across Kean’s academic disciplines and campuses were introduced to the University during a four-day orientation session that included presentations on topics such as course design and teaching resources, a traditional group picture and a barbecue at Kean House, the president’s residence.

“Transformation is happening here like never before, and we’re going to do that together,” said Kean President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., in his welcome address to the group at the STEM building. “Who are we as a University? We are you. We need you to be as committed to our students as much as you are committed to your work.”

With 53 new faculty members joining Kean this year and 55 the previous year, more than 50% of full-time tenure-track faculty have arrived at the University within one calendar year.

“If you come in understanding our mission, you’ll be fine,” Repollet said. “If you fall, that’s OK. Just fall forward.”

Students from a range of diverse backgrounds begin classes for the Fall semester on Thursday, September 1. Many of them are the first in their families to go to college.

At the same time that Kean strives to meet students’ needs, the University has expanded its commitment to furthering faculty research. The University, which recently was designated New Jersey’s urban research university, is pursuing a designation by the Carnegie Commission as a nationally recognized R2 Research Institution.

To help the University meet its research goals, the new faculty members are allotted a set amount of release time for research.

“You are coming in at the ground floor of an institution that is remaking itself,” said Kean Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs David Birdsell, Ph.D. “We are on an upward slope and we are climbing that slope at some speed. I want you to leave your mark on Kean – to make this a better place than it is today.”

The new faculty are also a diverse group, with varying backgrounds and experiences. They were united, however, in enthusiasm and excitement for their new roles.

“I am very much excited about our graduate program,” said Pragya Charma Ghimire, Ph.D., an assistant professor of exercise science. Joining her among new faculty in the School of Health and Human Performance is Amir Bhochhibhoya, Ph.D., an assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics.

The two, who are originally from Nepal and joined Kean from Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina, are husband and wife.

Annette Chapman-Adisho, Ph.D., a new associate professor of history at Kean Ocean, came to Kean from Salem State University in Massachusetts. 

“I’m excited about the support offered for research,” she said. “When I saw the advertisement, I thought, ‘This is it, an institution that really is committed to research and committed to undergraduate education.’”

As new faculty orientation kicked off, the group lined up on the STEM Building’s atrium stairs for a traditional group photo. The four-day orientation also included a tour of campus and a bus trip to Kean Ocean.

Kalasia Ojeh, Ph.D., an assistant professor of sociology and Africana studies who came from the University of Louisville, said she was excited to begin teaching, researching and collaborating with colleagues.

“We are so excited to be joining Cougars that climb higher,” she said.