New Kean Project Showcases Faculty and Staff Expertise

Kean University is launching a new project to highlight faculty and staff who are experts in their fields and can offer insight and commentary on current events and other important topics.

The print and video content, which is available on the Kean Experts webpage, aims to showcase Kean’s many scholars as resources to the media and general public.

Faculty members who are experts on wildfires, mass shootings, immigration and more have been among the first to participate in the new initiative coordinated by the Office of University Relations.

“The goal of the new project is to establish Kean’s many outstanding scholars and practitioners as thought leaders in their respective disciplines, said Karen Smith, vice president of University Relations. “The University’s reputation for delivering a world-class education is growing and this project aims to build upon that by further establishing the University as a source of scholarship and analysis on important global issues.”

University Relations has supported many Kean faculty and staff members who have been resources for the media over the years. This new initiative aims to both increase exposure for those individuals and include additional members of the Kean community.

James J. Drylie, Ph.D., executive director of the Kean University School of Criminal Justice and Public Administration, is one of the faculty members featured on the experts page.

"The experts program has connected me with a number of national publications, researchers, journalists and practitioners working in the criminal justice system," said Drylie, Ph.D. "The benefits of such a program are invaluable to the University as a whole, and allow faculty to share their research and valuable opinions where they make a difference." 

University Relations is creating short print Q&A pieces for the project as well as video interviews. The content is displayed on the main Experts page and on each individual’s profile page. It is also delivered through the weekly Kean News email and distributed to media as appropriate.

“Kean students benefit from the expertise and knowledge of the University’s faculty and staff every day,” Smith said. “This initiative spreads that expertise to the general public and enhances the personal brand of the individuals and the University’s brand in the process. It’s a win-win.”

University Relations is reaching out to faculty and staff to solicit expertise on various issues.

Anyone who has questions or is interested in participating in the project can also email news@kean.edu.