Record Funding for Student-Centered Quality First Initiative Grants

Kean University will be launching an artificial intelligence communication platform, creating a human rights learning community and using new digital tools to support veterans among projects supported by the Quality First Initiative (QFI) grant program.

President Dawood Farahi, Ph.D., recently approved nine projects for a record $277,000 in funding.

“These projects reflect new approaches to achieving Kean’s strategic goals,” Farahi said. “Through QFI, I encourage everyone in the Kean community to think outside the box to improve and support student success. I thank the Kean community for responding with great ideas.”

Kean community members submitted 19 proposals to the University Planning Council, the campuswide committee of faculty, administrators and staff that reviews and ranks proposals for the president’s consideration. Initiatives recommended for funding must have a strong potential to demonstrate tangible, effective, specific and measurable results. President Farahi makes the final decisions, based on the UPC recommendations.

One funded project, AdmitHub, is an artificial intelligence texting and online platform that provides instant answers to questions about Kean, its campus and its programs for students, prospective students and their families.

The Human Rights Learning Community project will create a multi-disciplinary learning community around a human rights issue and includes a service-learning trip in January 2019. The Supporting Veterans project uses digital fabrication tools to help veterans dealing with physical and mental concerns ease into student life.

Additional digital projects also received funding. Raise Me empowers students to meet academic benchmarks during high school to help fund the cost of college. The Nancy Thompson Library - Learning Commons (NTLC) will introduce a more flexible interface to offer anytime, anywhere student-centered support. CampusESP will engage with parents of students to ensure overall student success from enrollment to graduation. Finally, the School of Communication, Media and Journalism will create a Digital Media Center for its students.

Also receiving QFI funding are a project to expand the CURF Research Recruits pilot program that offers students undergraduate research or creative experience opportunities mentored by a Kean faculty member; and the Global Studies Campus Culture and Curricular Initiatives project to strengthen the interdisciplinary curriculum, advance student civic capacity, and enrich the framework of the new B.A. in Global Studies program.

Click here for a full list of 2018 QFI-funded projects.