Presidential Announcements 2023

Dear Kean Community,

The endgame is in sight, Cougars! As you wrap up your final projects and exams, remember to sign up for tutoring and writing, public speaking or other academic support, if you need it, through the Nancy Thompson Learning Commons. If you are struggling to get your basic needs met, need financial assistance or other support to help get you to the finish line, reach out to the staff at the Cougar Connections Center of Social Work or the Kean Counseling Center. We are in this together, and we’re ready to work with you for a strong finish to the semester. Good luck!

On Monday, I was blown away by the Distinguished Lecture from actress Lauren Ridloff, the first Deaf superhero in the Marvel universe. She shared personal stories and practical insights about the importance of doing our personal best and finding the lessons in our failures. Thanks to Millie Gonzalez, communication strategist for University Relations and disabled activist, for moderating the discussion with thoughtful questions. In her master class with Rachel Evans’ class before the lecture, Ridloff reinforced the value of community and the simple acts of really listening and making space for people who are Deaf/disabled as ways each one of us can foster inclusion. Having a real superhero at Kean brought many people to our campus for the first time, and it brings me great pride to know that the President’s Distinguished Lecture Series is amplifying the insights of such diverse thought leaders.

President's Distinguished Lecture with Deaf Actress Lauren Ridloff

Congratulations to Barbara George Johnson, vice president of external affairs and urban policy and research, for her appointment by Governor Phil Murphy to the board of the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority. The Authority is tasked with overseeing the center in Trenton working to ensure equitable access and outcomes for mothers and their infants. It is groundbreaking work, and it’s fitting to see one of our own – an uncompromising advocate for maternal and infant health – being recognized for her expertise and taking a lead role in policy development for the state. This shows Kean continues to have an important seat at the table.

Shout out to Jenna Flemings, goaltender for the Field Hockey team, for being named to the NFHCA DIII All-American First Team, and to Madeline Dohogne, Aspen O'Brien, Ashley Smith and Julia Vacca from the Women's Volleyball team for being named to the CSC Academic All-District Team. Be sure to catch our Men’s Basketball team on ESPN+ Friday, December 22. Their exhibition game against Saint Peter's University will get national exposure. It will be a great way to celebrate the last day of the semester. Go Cougars!

My final message of the semester next week will be a video, so I am taking this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday filled with the warmth, love and magic of the season. May you have a restful and rejuvenating winter break. I look forward to the new year and all that we will achieve together in the Spring semester!

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - December 8, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

Today our University had the great privilege of welcoming Nelson Mandela’s grandson and other prominent human rights advocates to campus for our annual Human Rights Institute conference, focused on the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Ndaba Mandela recalled lessons from his grandfather, and spoke about Mandela’s profound humanity that touched everyone he met, even those guarding him in prison. Ndaba Mandela said his grandfather saw the UDHR as “a written promise, a beacon of hope” that helped carry him through 27 years of imprisonment in South Africa for his anti-apartheid activities. In a very moving moment, he had the audience, filled with young people, hold up their hands and affirm, “I am a leader. What I can dream, I can achieve.”

Also speaking at the conference were a young climate change activist, Sophia Kianni, and human rights advocate John Prendergast, who recalled their social justice activism journeys, reminding the audience of the power each of us has to make a difference. Congratulations to Special Counsel to the President Felice Vazquez and Assistant VP for Strategic Initiatives John Raue, and everyone who helped organize this terrific conference with a powerful message for all of us to take to heart.

On Tuesday I had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Bernice VanSteyn-Weiss on campus. An accomplished higher education administrator, Dr. VanSteyn-Weiss is also the widow of former Kean President Dr. Nathan Weiss. We visited Nathan Weiss East Campus together, in celebration of our Kean Board of Trustees’ renaming of what was previously “East Campus” in honor of President Weiss. We also shared a wide-ranging conversation on key issues in higher education and Kean’s evolution from Newark State College at the beginning of President’s Weiss' leadership years to today’s global, urban research university and regional anchor institution. It reminded me that Kean has much for which to be grateful, including the wisdom, fortitude and innovation of prior leaders. It also served as inspiration to work together to write an even brighter next chapter in Kean’s history. It’s a big responsibility but a very exciting thought. Thanks to Bill Miller, Eileen Cotter and the Kean University Foundation team for arranging Dr. VanSteyn-Weiss’ visit.

Kean University Nathan Weiss East Campus Sign

I hope to see many of you at the President’s Distinguished Lectures Series with Deaf actress Lauren Ridloff at 5 p.m. on Monday at the Liberty Hall Academic Center. Lauren spoke with our graduates last year, and I was personally blown away by her story (and not just because I’m a Marvel superhero fan). I look forward to hearing more from her. I urge you to join us. Tickets are free for the Kean community, but registration is required.

I give a big shoutout to field hockey coach Leslie LaFronz on her retirement. Coach LaFronz has been at the helm of the field hockey program since 2009 and leaves Kean as the winningest coach in program history with a 201-83 overall mark. Throughout her 15 seasons at Kean, she has brought her teams to the NCAA tournament four times, most recently advancing to the NCAA semifinals, the highest finish for any team in program history. But more importantly, she has been a role model and mentor for many young women who have played for Kean. We are so very grateful for her dedication to our athletes. Enjoy your retirement, coach!

Thanks to faculty, staff, and of course, Keanu, for joining us at yesterday’s employee holiday party in STEM. Seeing all of the clothing representing our employees’ cultural heritages reminded me of the great diversity here at Kean that we should never take for granted. Just like our students, our employees come from a wide range of backgrounds, and that enriches us all. We each bring our unique selves to work each day, and it was fun to celebrate that and the holiday season together. Happy Hanukkah to everyone who is celebrating the festival of lights.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - December 1, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

Happy December, Cougars! This University truly is a microcosm of society, a place blessed with a talented and diverse community. I was able to celebrate this in so many ways this week.

On Tuesday, I attended the annual Murray Pantirer Memorial Scholar Lecture hosted by the Holocaust Resource Center. I learned about the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and was struck by the resilience and strength of those involved as well as the key role that young people played in that pivotal moment in history. We all have much to learn from the past, and I am grateful to the HRC organizers and speaker Dr. Avinoam Patt for teaching us about the aftermath and legacy of that event.

On Wednesday, Daniel Gottschalk, a senior studio art major, invited me to see his exhibition at the James Howe Gallery in Vaughn-Eames Hall. I was blown away by his talent and the way he uses his art to share his life story and messages about sustainability. I also had the chance to see Tino Cook’s artwork that is showcased in the JCT Solutions office in Springfield. Tino graduated from our BFA program in 2017 and is using his talents to make a name for himself in the art world. Kudos to Tino for his vibrant art as well.

On Thursday, I attended the Kean Sports Summit. This was an event organized by students, for students. Led by the Kean Sports Business Club, the event brought leaders from the sports industry – including our partners, the New Jersey Devils, New York Jets and New York Red Bulls – to campus for panels and discussions on career development and networking. The student turnout was tremendous. I was extremely impressed by the quality of the work the students put into this event. Kudos to club executive board members Sebastian Salazar, Christina Chiarella, Ben Rubens, Kylie Bernardo, Sara Turner and Jimi Ruys for a job well done.

Tonight I will attend the College of Business and Public Management Accreditation Celebration and Excellence Awards. We will mark the 35th anniversary of CBPM and the recent accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the gold standard of accreditation for business schools. We will also honor and thank those who have helped make these accomplishments possible with the Dean’s Excellence Awards for faculty, staff and students. I’m looking forward to this celebration as well as our Board of Trustees meeting tomorrow at Kean Ocean. I also wish a happy Founders Day to the members of Lambda Theta Phi, the first Latino fraternity in the country that was established right here at Kean 48 years ago. They will celebrate with a candlelight vigil at the Greek rocks outside Miron Student Center at 6 p.m. tonight followed by a reception in collaboration with the Kean University Foundation.

Next week we will recognize the 75th Anniversary of the passing of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the annual Human Rights Institute Conference. It’s not too late to sign up to join us. In keeping with the international significance of the U.N. declaration, the theme of this year's employee holiday party is "Holidays Around the World." I hope to see a rainbow of color as faculty and staff show up dressed to represent their heritage. The party is 3-5 p.m. on Thursday, December 7 in the STEM atrium.

Have you gotten your seat to the President’s Distinguished Lecture with actress Lauren Ridloff yet? Ridloff, a Deaf actress nominated for a Tony and also part of the Marvel superhero universe, will address accessibility and overcoming obstacles on Monday, December 11. She has a powerful message to share, and I encourage you to get your free ticket.

Lastly, as we head into the holiday season, I appreciate not just the diverse ethnicities of our students but the diversity of their ideas and projects. That is what makes us stronger. It’s not just the color of our skin or where our families come from; it’s what we contribute to the world through our own lenses. Watching the growth of the students who come to us is incredible. We meet students where they are and help them climb higher. Thanks to everyone who is part of that important work.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - November 17, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

It’s truly A Different World at Kean. Yesterday we celebrated our amazing campus culture at the President’s Distinguished Lecture Series event with four cast members from the iconic sitcom about a fictional Black college. I was looking forward to that event for weeks, and it did not disappoint. Cast members Kadeem Hardison, Jasmine Guy, Darryl M. Bell and Cree Summer shared their perspectives on the show and how our culture has changed, or not, in the years since it aired. It’s been 35 years since the show began, but the messages still resonate today as we build our own diverse and welcoming culture at Kean.

A Different World Cast at President's Distinguished Lecture

I was so pleased to see community members, alumni, students and members of Greek organizations join us for this sold-out event. Alumni like Tami Rucker ’92 from Connecticut and Byron Jefferson ’01 from Maryland came from near and far. My thanks to our theatre team and others who organized it. A special shout out to Dr. David Jefferson in Government Affairs, videographer Lawrence Cortes and their team for creating this fantastic Kean version of the show’s opening credits. It is outstanding and inclusive. I encourage everyone to watch it.

Earlier this week, I had the privilege of welcoming a delegation from Zhejiang Province in China to our campus. This was another excellent opportunity to connect with the government officials in the province that is home to Wenzhou-Kean University to talk about our shared goals. They expressed how honored they are to have WKU in Zhejiang. I met with these leaders on my last visit to WKU, and it was a pleasure to return the hospitality they showed me at that time. We got a personal tour of Liberty Hall Museum from John Kean Sr. and Trustee John Kean Jr. that everyone enjoyed.

The New Jersey League of Municipalities Annual Conference this week was another opportunity for Kean leaders to meet with government officials from throughout New Jersey, many of them already partners in our community initiatives. We hosted an outstanding alumni event honoring two-time Kean graduate Sergio Granados ’10, ’16 MPA, the chair of the Union County Board of County Commissioners. Senate President Nicholas Scutari ’89, another Kean alumnus, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin both attended the event, evidence of Kean’s rising prominence as New Jersey’s urban research university. Thanks to everyone in the Office of Government Affairs and Community Partnerships and the Watson Institute for organizing Kean’s participation in this important conference.

This morning, I also had the honor of welcoming New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Brian Bridges, along with leaders from higher education institutions around the state, who were at Kean to attend OSHE’s Basic Needs in Higher Education Statewide Convening. Together, we shared best practices to better meet the basic needs of New Jersey’s students and pave the way for their success. I was proud to host the event here at Kean, where the well-being of our students is already a top priority.

NJ Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Brian Bridges at Kean

Kean Cougars showed up and showed out in the NJ Ballot Bowl 2023, taking second place in Conference 1 of the statewide competition for voter registration and pledges to vote on college campuses.

Congratulations to Kean’s field hockey team for an incredible run in the NCAA Tournament. They fell today to Johns Hopkins in the semifinals but can be so proud of their underdog success in the competition. We celebrate the team and Head Coach Leslie LaFronz. They showed us all how Kean Cougars climb higher together.

As we look forward to Thanksgiving next week, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to every member of our campus community. My work here at Kean, and the extended family we form together, are two of the things for which I am most grateful throughout the year. Have a blessed Thanksgiving with your loved ones.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - November 10, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

This week Kean continued a fall tradition rooted in our history as New Jersey’s first teachers college – we reconnected with our education alumni at the NJEA Convention in Atlantic City. At the convention, we also met with leaders in the Pre-K through 12 education system and engaged with the state’s educators and school administrators about our Entrepreneurial Education Initiatives (EEI) partnerships across the state. In our evolution from teachers college to global research university, some things have remained constant at Kean – our commitment to excellence, accessibility and innovation. Congratulations to Joey Moran, our creative director, and to the entire NJEA team for a job well done!

Kean Entrepreneurial Education Initiatives at NJEA Convention

This morning, I had the honor of sharing Kean’s campus wellness strategy and initiatives at the EY Strategic Growth Forum in California, which draws thousands of CEOs and business leaders from across the country. On the main stage with Dr. Sharon Ellen Smith, corporate medical director for Estée Lauder, and Ginnie Carlier, EY Americas vice chair for talent, we discussed Worker Well-being in an Age of Transformation. I highlighted how we’ve been elevating campus culture and prioritizing the well-being of the campus community, and our unique partnership with EY to create a Vitality Index.

In another affirmation of our commitment to wellness and well-being, Kean became the first university to join the statewide Alternative Response to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation (ARRIVE) Together program. Senior Vice President of Integrated Health, Safety and Response Services Jerome Hatfield and I joined New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and county leaders to announce the expansion of the program throughout the County of Union. It breaks the mold on law enforcement response to mental health emergencies, pairing police officers with mental health professionals on these kinds of emergency calls. We are proud to be part of this fresh approach to policing and lend our support to the state and county.

We observed National First-Generation College Celebration Day at Kean this week. More than 200 first-generation students attended a breakfast and a spirited reception on campus. My thanks to Assistant Vice President Marvin Adames and the Office of Student Retention and Educational Innovation team for ensuring our first-gen students know how much we value their contributions to the Kean community and encourage their continued success. We are so proud of these pioneers who, with the hopes and dreams of their families in tow, pave the path to their own success and, in turn, show others the way. #FirstToClimbHigher

National First-Generation College Celebration Day at Kean

I’m excited to hear from Ndaba Mandela, the grandson of legendary South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela, at this year’s Human Rights Conference marking the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. At a time when our world is stricken by war, and we have witnessed suffering on a global scale, Nelson Mandela’s journey from political prisoner to South Africa’s president reminds us we must do our part to protect the rights of all people. I encourage you to register for the free event on Friday, December 8.

I look forward to welcoming the cast of the popular 1980s sitcom A Different World this Thursday for a sold-out President’s Distinguished Lecture Series event. Maybe I’ll see you there, but more is planned, so don’t miss out!

Kean’s Field Hockey team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Let’s cheer on the team as they take on Christopher Newport University in Virginia tomorrow.

A group of more than two dozen military veterans from Kean will proudly march up Fifth Avenue in the New York Veterans Day Parade tomorrow. On this Veterans Day and always, my sincere gratitude to our student veterans and all veterans, on and off campus, for their service to our country.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - October 27, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

Our beautiful campus shines every Fall. As the leaves change colors, I am reflecting on the season we find ourselves in as a University. In this time of transformation as a research institution, we must continue to assess all of our programs and work toward continuous improvement. Assessment and accreditation work are critical to our growth. Many of you took part in last week’s Assessment Summit that focused on incorporating assessment into our everyday work on equity. I hope you are already putting some takeaways into action.

This week, I was fortunate to join Physician Assistant Studies program leaders, faculty and students in welcoming a site visit team to campus as part of the program’s multi-year ARC-PA accreditation process. This visit, and the self-study and preparation work leading up to it, provided an excellent opportunity to evaluate student performance, clinical rotations, administrative support and many other aspects of our PA program. We currently have 67 PA students and will celebrate the graduation of the first cohort in January. We want these students to have the best experience possible as they prepare to enter one of the fastest-growing fields in America. My thanks to Dean Dr. Jim Konopack, Director Dr. Carol Biscardi, Robert Adamczyk, Wendy Ritch, Tiffany Eben, Samah Jaramillo, Dr. Dmitriy Zelikson, JoAnn Pobuta and Arooj Ahmad for their work coordinating this visit. It was truly a team effort.

Tomorrow, Senior Vice President Felice Vazquez and I leave for Wenzhou-Kean University where we will visit with provincial leaders in Zhejiang Province. We will forge new relationships with government and education leaders in China to provide access and opportunity for students. Our goal is to shorten the distance between Kean USA and WKU through collaborative work on educational and research initiatives. This visit comes shortly after I returned from signing two education partnerships in Japan and South Korea during the East Asia Trade Mission with Governor Murphy. While other universities are seeking to establish a presence in Asia, we are expanding ours. I’m looking forward to sharing more about the visit to WKU next week.

I encourage you to reserve your tickets for our next President’s Distinguished Lecture Series event at 4:30 p.m. on November 16 with cast members from the show A Different World. The show depicted the lives of Black college students, and that had a big impact on me as a young fan. It influenced me, and so many others, to want to go to college. I am looking forward to a great discussion about whether college life and society have really changed since the show began in 1987. Is it a different world? If not, how can we make it a different world for our students? Tickets are going fast so be sure to reserve your spot today. It’s free for the Kean community.

As the crisis in the Middle East continues, I’m hearing from students who are concerned about their safety. I’ve instructed the Kean University Police Department to increase both car and foot patrols across the campus, including in East Campus buildings, and to watch for any discriminatory behavior. We will continue to make this a priority as we maintain a safe and comfortable atmosphere for all. Our focus will continue at the Human Rights Institute Conference on December 8, where we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. There will be many activities leading up to the conference, and I hope to see you all take part in this important event.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - October 20, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

This is a historic week for Kean University. Along with Chief of Staff Audrey Kelly, I am honored to be part of the New Jersey East Asia Economic Mission with Governor Phil Murphy. Our delegation, which includes leaders from six other higher education institutions, business executives and government officials from New Jersey, is meeting with leaders from across Asia to foster collaboration and innovation. Kean’s involvement in this important trade mission is a testament to our growth and status as New Jersey’s urban research university. It is truly a privilege to be a part of it. Read more about it in this ROI-NJ story.

During this economic mission, I signed partnership agreements with three universities to expand research and educational opportunities for our students, and Governor Murphy officially witnessed each one. The first agreement establishes a new relationship with Osaka University of Economics in Japan. We were honored to recently welcome their campus leaders to Kean and look forward to collaborating on research projects, lectures and other academic initiatives in the near future. We also built on partnerships already established with Soongsil University and Sangmyung University in South Korea. Eighteen Kean students had the chance to study at Soongsil for a month in the Summer of 2022. Their feedback was phenomenal, and I can certainly see why after experiencing the beauty of South Korea for myself. We look forward to sharing that experience with other students in the coming years as the Kean cougar “paw print” continues to expand. Special thanks to Jessica Barzilay, executive director of International Studies and WKU Student Affairs, for her hard work not only putting these agreements together, but also being available to me 24/7 throughout the economic mission.

Here at home, Kean was honored to host Acting Governor Tahesha Way on Thursday as she signed into law legislation that will expand mental health services for students on college campuses across the state. Specifically targeting suicide prevention, this legislation provides for increased training and resources to address depression and mental health needs. As you know, the well-being of our campus community is one of my top priorities. We continue to enhance our services to address student mental health and welcome the opportunity to shine a light on this important issue. Also on Thursday, we hosted Kean’s first Assessment Summit aimed at strengthening our institution’s assessment strategies to bridge equity gaps. Kudos to the teams at SADI, the Office of Accreditation and Assessment, and the University Assessment Committee for organizing this important event.

I also thank all of you who came out to Homecoming 2023. The Kean community didn’t let a little wet weather get in the way of celebrating all things Kean. More than 650 alumni, 500 Kean students, 200 students in our Entrepreneurial Education Initiatives programs and many friends and community members joined us for games, food, football and fun. After two years of rain, we are due for some better weather next year. Remember to keep supporting our Kean Athletics teams as the Fall season continues.

Enjoy the weekend.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Repollet- October 16, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

It’s Homecoming weekend! I encourage all of you to come out and join in a fun weekend of activities, games, sporting events and more with other members of the Kean community, beginning with tonight’s student pep rally. Visit the Homecoming webpage for the full schedule. Watch this video to get in the spirit and enjoy the celebration of all things Kean.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Repollet on the Violence in the Middle East

Dear Kean Community,

The violence and loss of life taking place in Israel and Gaza are horrific. Each day the news seems to get worse as we learn the stories of hostages, young and old, and see videos showing brutality and inhumanity that all the world should condemn. We know many of our Kean Cougars have strong ties to the region. Darlene and I are praying for you and your families and ask the rest of the Kean community to do the same. We support you here at Kean.

Although we cannot control this crisis, we can champion peace in our own ways. As an institution, Kean has a strong record of advocating for human rights through our Human Rights Institute, Holocaust Resource Center and other initiatives to work toward an end to such atrocities as we are seeing in this conflict. This work will continue – it must continue – and we invite all of you to visit the HRI and HRC webpages and learn more about how you can promote peace and understanding in your community and throughout the world.

I also remind you that inclusivity is a core value of our institution. When we are inclusive of those from different backgrounds or religions, we build understanding instead of hate. We can start doing that here at home. Please reach out to your friends or colleagues who have ties to Israel, Gaza or the region and check on them. Don’t just let them talk; truly listen. You will almost certainly learn something that informs your own perspective.

We understand that many students, faculty and staff find this situation upsetting. I encourage all students who feel they need extra support to visit the Kean Counseling Center webpage to learn about all of the services available, including the new Uwill teletherapy program. Faculty and staff also have access to the new Carebridge Employee Assistance Program, which also offers counseling.

I don’t know when this crisis is going to subside, but I know that here at Kean we can support each other and continue to stand up for our beliefs and values at the same time. May those who have been lost rest in peace; may their families find comfort; and may God protect those who remain in harm's way.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - October 6, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

As we usher in the final week of Hispanic Heritage Month, I look back at a whirlwind week punctuated by experiences and opportunities to promote and discuss equity, inclusion and collaboration – priorities that remain in sharp focus across the University.

Yesterday we welcomed Diana Vasquez, executive director of HACU’s National Internship Program and strategic initiatives, to campus for a Fireside Chat. The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has truly become a terrific ally and strong partner for Kean. I am grateful for the dynamic panelists, Marvin Adames, Dr. Consuelo Bonillas, Dr. Frank Argote-Freyre and Carlos Rodriguez, who addressed a wide range of topics focused on the cultural and historical influence of Hispanic people as well as Kean’s efforts to broaden our outreach to Hispanic students. Thanks also to Sonia Irizarry, director for Entrepreneurial Education Initiatives at Kean, for moderating the discussion. Shout out to Chief Government Affairs Officer Kellie LeDet and her team for taking the lead on this important event.

Our Hispanic Heritage Month festivities wrap up this Thursday, October 12 at the Human Rights Institute Gallery, where Kean’s Artist-in-Residence Ricardo Roig ’08 will unveil WE DECLARE, a mural he created honoring the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He credits his Kean professors in Fine Arts, including Joseph Amorino, for helping him find his passion, and I thank them, too. I encourage you to make some time to visit the gallery and see how he captured the varied life experiences of his subjects.

Kean embodies diversity, equity, inclusion – and accessibility. I attended the Common Read event this week and was moved to see so many students engaged in such an important topic. Author Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, author of The Future Is Disabled: Prophecies, Love Notes and Mourning Songs, written during the height of the pandemic, generously read from their book and answered students’ questions about disability culture, the writing process, and more, via livestream. Their visit was a great way to usher in Disability Employment Awareness Month. My thanks to Kean Lecturer Abriana Jetté, Ph.D., and partners across campus for coordinating the Common Read.

Our employee wellness initiative continues this coming week. The kickball tournament at our Employee Appreciation Event earlier this year was rained out, but we’re bringing it back on Friday, October 13. Keep a lookout on KeanConnect next week for details and registration and cheer on your favorite teams.

Speaking of teams, our student-athletes are still bringing the heat. Men's soccer added another big win this week. Their undefeated streak is now an impressive 7-0-4. Women's volleyball sits at first place in the New Jersey Athletic Conference with a 4-0 record, and field hockey also won their match this week. Go Cougars!

I already feel the excitement building for Homecoming Week, which kicks off on Monday. Get your Kean silver and blue ready, and check out the full schedule of events leading up to the biggest, most fun-filled event of the semester – Kean Homecoming. See you there.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - September 22, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

It has been a challenging week here at Kean, but we got through it together and are stronger for it. I am grateful that the student who was stabbed on Tuesday is continuing to recover. This incident provides us with a “problemtunity” to learn how we can make our campus even safer, and we are committed to doing just that. I thank everyone who joined me at the Community Forum this afternoon to learn more about our short-term and long-term strategies to address campus well-being and campus safety. We were in the process of implementing several new initiatives and improvements long before this incident took place, and the work will continue in the years to come because your safety is my top priority.

For those of you who couldn’t attend the forum, I want to share several key points that I addressed with the group.

We cannot prevent every public safety incident. It’s simply impossible. But we can mitigate risks and ensure we are prepared, and that is what we are doing.
Our public safety team did exactly what they are trained to do on Tuesday. They responded to this incident literally within seconds of it occurring. From police to EMT response, it was fast and effective.
I also want to make it clear that this was not a random act. The KUPD investigation is ongoing, but it’s very clear that this was the result of an altercation involving people who came from outside of the campus and left immediately after it was over. It was an isolated incident.
Kean is an open campus, but we have a number of tools in place – from blue light phones to cameras – to secure it as best as we can. As an anchor institution, we pride ourselves on our connections to the community, but we also need to have procedures in place to protect our students, faculty and staff.
Lastly, although I’m pleased with the University’s response, we can always do better. With that in mind, we’ll be launching an inclusive public safety advisory committee of students, faculty and staff in the coming months to advise my administration on safety and security measures we can take to further protect our campus. I hope some of you will choose to be a part of it because keeping us all safe is truly a community effort. Stay tuned for more details.

I want to thank the team in our new Division of Health, Safety and Response Services, including the Kean University Police Department, as well as Student Affairs, University Relations and my team here in the President’s Office for their swift and thorough response. We cannot control every situation on this campus, but we can control how we respond to it, and I’m grateful for their professionalism and dedication. I also want to thank the many students, faculty and staff who reached out to me and others to lend their support. We appreciate you.

Remember, we are all part of the Cougar community and our community events will continue. I was happy to see so many of you at Meet the Greeks. We will not let a few bad actors change our campus culture. This is personal to me.

As we head into the weekend, no one is more disappointed than I am that we had to cancel the Jazz & Roots Music Festival due to severe weather. But we will be back in 2024! And I have two other events to put on your calendar. Students, there is still time to register for the Fall 2023 Career, Internship and Part-Time Job Fair this Tuesday, September, 26. More than 140 employers, including Johnson & Johnson, Port Authority of NY & NJ, Atlantic Health Systems, Goodwill of NJ/NY and the New York Red Bulls, are coming to campus to talk with students about jobs and internships. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to advance your career.

We’re also thrilled to be hosting CNN Español’s Maria Cardona for our second annual Hispanic Heritage Month Town Hall at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, September 29 in the North Avenue Academic Building. Please come out and hear from this inspiring speaker as we continue our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Enjoy the weekend. Stay safe and dry.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - September 20, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

Like all of you, I was deeply troubled to learn last night that a Kean student was stabbed during an altercation near the Miron Student Center. Our prayers are with our student and his family as he recovers from this senseless crime. We know this incident is connected to individuals from outside our campus. This reminds all of us that although we are part of a caring community, Kean is an open campus, and we are not immune to crime from the outside world.

Although this incident is upsetting, I want to reassure all of you that our Kean team was well prepared to keep you safe. The Kean University Police Department responded swiftly to the first reports of the stabbing, as they are trained to do. They reached the scene quickly to protect bystanders, alerted medical personnel to assist the victim and immediately began working with local law enforcement agencies to investigate and bring those responsible to justice. They coordinated with our communication team to send an alert via our new RAVE Alert system. And, extra patrols kept watch over campus overnight and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Members of my senior team joined me on campus last night to meet with students, visit our residence halls and walk the campus. Together, we addressed concerns and assured our students that safety is our top priority. My thanks to acting Vice President Kerrin Lyles and his team in Student Affairs who joined me in providing the comfort and guidance our resident students need at this time. Those conversations will continue as we process this news and look to further enhance safety measures on campus.

In the coming days, we will share a more detailed plan of action. In the meantime, we encourage students who feel they need extra support to reach out to the Kean Counseling Center or the new Uwill teletherapy program. Faculty and staff can access the Carebridge Employee Assistance Program. And please remember we have more than 30 Blue Light phones across campus that will connect you directly with the Kean University Police Department. If you would like an escort, you can reach police directly through the Blue Light phones or via the Rave Guardian App available on Google Play or the Apple App store.

Three years ago, when I became president of this University, I told you that safety would be one of my top priorities. That remains true today. Violent crime occurs across this country and sadly college campuses are no exception. We cannot protect ourselves from every threat, but we can learn from this incident to make our campus as safe as it can be. Each one of us plays a role in keeping those around us safe by speaking up when we see something suspicious. If you see something, say something. To that end, if you have any information about last night’s incident, please contact the Kean University Police Department at (908) 737-4800.

Cougars are resilient, and we will not let this crime change the Cougar experience. All classes and activities continue as scheduled on our campus. We will see you out there.

Please keep our student and his family in your prayers.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.

President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - September 15, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

I woke up to a chill in the air this morning and was struck by the beauty of September. As the seasons change, so too does the feeling on campus. I can see our students and faculty easing into their Fall routines while we continue full speed ahead transitioning Kean to a national research university. This is a time of change for all of us. Embrace it and lean in.

Our first Board of Trustees public meeting is set for 4 p.m. on Monday, September 18, in Kean Hall, and I encourage all of you to attend. The first meeting always sets the tone for the year and this one will be no different. Our board is set to vote on a proposed new mission statement and core values for the University, which I will share here with you first:

“Kean University, New Jersey’s first Urban Research University, creates a world-class, innovative and inclusive society through equity and excellence in teaching, learning, global research, and impactful public engagement.” Core values: Academic Excellence, Equity, Inclusivity, Wellness, Social Mobility, Public Impact

I am grateful to the team of dedicated people from across this University that developed this new mission statement through the University Planning Council. As you all know by now, I believe strongly in living our mission every day, so I encourage all of you to review this closely and think about what it means for you and your role at this great institution.

I’m also particularly excited about another resolution in front of the Board that would expand our tuition waiver program so that spouses of employees can also receive tuition waivers to pursue their undergraduate degrees at Kean. We know that you can’t uplift employees without also uplifting their families. This allows everyone in the family, including the employees, their dependents, and now their spouses to benefit from a Kean education. This is all part of our culture of well-being.

As we continue to elevate our profile on a national level, this coming week we’ll be sending two delegations to Washington, D.C. The first group will be heading to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Leadership Conference. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, Kean is proud to send this delegation, led by Vice President for Administration Dr. Carlos Rodriguez, to attend these valuable sessions and meet with lawmakers as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

I will also be traveling to D.C. to speak on an American Federation of Teachers panel as well as a Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity panel during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference. Kean will host a reception during the conference to engage with policymakers and also connect with friends of Kean during A Day of Healing, formerly known as the National Prayer Breakfast. These are national events, and we look forward to seeing Kean represented on a national stage.

This week I had the chance to host our women’s swimming team at the Kean House as they received their NJAC championship rings for last year’s outstanding season.

register to vote and learn the different ways you can cast your vote here in New Jersey. It’s time to settle into the academic year and make it a great one.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.- September 8, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

Welcome back! This is one of my favorite times of year as I walk around campus and interact with our students. Watching freshmen ask for directions and upperclassmen talk about their clubs at Kean Day, I’m reminded of the incredible opportunity and renewed energy that come with the beginning of a new academic year. Remember, this is our time. This is our year. Each one of us has the chance to do great things to contribute to our personal success and the success of this institution.

I told all of you on Opening Day that we are on a precipice of greatness as an anchor institution and a national research university. Our record enrollment this Fall is a testament to all of the hard work we are doing to transform this university into a Carnegie R2 research institution that supports all students on their path to graduation. As we set the tone for the upcoming year, we must look at how we sustain this transformation so we are truly built to last. This year my Cabinet and Executive Team will be reading Built to Last by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras to address how we can continue to make Kean an exceptional university in the long term. I invite all of you to read it along with us because we know our upward trajectory is truly a community effort in which each of you play a role.

Our Kean community came out in full force to support our residential students during a successful move-in. I’m grateful to the Student Affairs team under Acting Vice President Kerrin Lyles, and Associate Vice President Maximina Rivera in Residential Student Services, for coordinating a smooth drive-through move-in process for our 1,600-plus residential students and their families. I also appreciate the more than 100 volunteers from across Kean, including Cabinet members and student leaders, who came out to lift suitcases, engage with parents and generally pitch in. I received nothing but compliments. Well done, team!

More than 75 employees joined me this week for our first Wellness Walk of the semester. For me, it was the perfect way to kick off the new academic year because it gives me a chance to interact with employees whom I don’t get to see every day. I met Kathleen Curran, a lecturer in the College of Health Professions and Human Services, who shared her inspiring personal wellness journey with me. After nearly 25 years of working in health care, she made a commitment to herself – and her students – to prioritize her wellness. Thanks for teaching, by example, the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, Kathleen! See you at the next walk. This morning, I also ran into Assistant Professor Dr. Shalander “Shelly” Samuels from the Department of English working out at the East Campus Fitness Center. What a great way to start the day.

Our Fall sports season is underway. My thanks to the Kean Cougar Cheering Club for bringing their infectious energy to our first football game. Seniors Jenna Flemings, Peyton Mann and Morgan Stump have all been named to the competitive National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division III Watch List. Great work! I encourage everyone to keep their eyes on the Kean Athletics schedule and come out to support our athletes all season long. We have several competitions this weekend, including the Women’s Volleyball Kean Invitational.

Also this weekend, I encourage you to see Selling Kabul, the new production from Premiere Stages at Kean at the Bauer Boucher Theatre Center. I went to the first performance last night with my wife, Darlene, and the play is terrific – thought-provoking and riveting. You can catch it through September 24.

By now, most of you have probably seen our new mascot Keanu who is making the rounds on campus and getting lots of attention online. Welcome to Kean, Keanu 2.0! It’s a great place to be.

Enjoy the weekend.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

Statement from Kean President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., on the Death of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver - August 1, 2023

I am deeply saddened to learn today of the passing of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver. She leaves behind a legacy of excellence for all to follow, especially women of color. She was a true national trailblazer, being the first Black woman to serve as New Jersey Assembly speaker and only the second in the nation to lead a state legislative house. Her work will undoubtedly inspire public service leaders for generations to come.

While I was the state’s education commissioner, I had the great privilege of her genuine friendship in Gov. Murphy’s administration, where she served as the second lieutenant governor in the history of our state. I will always remember her gentle nod during Cabinet meetings, which was a sign between her and me that meant “thank you for that…” She helped me to be my authentic self and intentional in working to achieve equity for all students. Her support for our education initiatives was invaluable, and her voice as an advocate for Black history and Black excellence was unquestionable.

I was so proud to have her here at Kean University, by my side, for my inauguration as the 18th president and first Black man to lead in this role. She was genuine, never forgetting her childhood in Newark, and she never wavered in her commitment to create a better future for our entire state. My prayers go out to her family and all those who knew and loved her.

Statement from Kean President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., on U.S. Supreme Court Ruling

At Kean University, one of our single greatest strengths is our diversity. Kean students benefit from learning alongside peers of other races, cultures and backgrounds each and every day as they climb higher to earn their degrees. Today I am deeply upset by the news that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the use of race-conscious admissions policies at American universities. This critical and dangerous decision means that millions of students could be excluded from the opportunities that higher education provides and millions more will be denied access to a diverse educational environment where all voices are heard. This decision reverses decades of progress for our nation and its young people. But rest assured, here at Kean, we will continue to be champions of equity and access to higher education for all. Kean is recognized as one of the most diverse universities in the nation, and we intend to keep it that way.

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.- May 19, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

Congratulations, Kean University Class of 2023! There is nothing more gratifying than seeing our graduates proudly cross the stage at Commencement. This year I had the added joy of seeing Kean students whom I knew from my days as a principal in Carteret receiving their degrees. The ceremonies and all of the graduates lifted my spirits high this week. Cougars, thank you for enriching our University with your curiosity, intelligence and compassion. As you move on to the next chapter of your lives with your valuable degrees, I hope the memories of your time at Kean are among the best of your lifetime. Stay in touch with us in the years ahead.

As I mentioned during yesterday’s ceremony, our graduates pushed themselves to climb higher and inspired the University to do the same. We have a lot to celebrate this academic year.

Here are some of our collective achievements to reflect upon:

The University enrolled the largest freshman class in its history and welcomed more than 50 new faculty in the Fall.
Kean climbed the ranks to become a “national university,” according to U.S. News & World Report. The University was also ranked once again among the top in the nation for social mobility.
The Board of Trustees adopted an academic reorganization plan to create the new College of Health Professions and Human Services, consolidate STEM programs in Hennings College and restore department chairs, among other ongoing changes.
We launched our Well-Being at Work initiative with our first Walk with the President. Yoga, Zumba and other activities followed, and the program continues to grow to support our employees’ wellbeing.
A new Homecoming tradition – the President’s Alumni Ball – got its start. I hope to see all of you, especially our newest alumni, at our next one on Friday, October 13, 2023.
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education renewed the University's accreditation, the result of a collaborative, multi-year process involving individuals and departments across Kean.
Kean proudly took its place as the first university in New Jersey to join Moon Shot for Equity, a national network of colleges and universities committed to eliminating equity gaps in higher education by 2030.
The KUBS (Kean University Building Stronger) Urban Communities program launched this year, offering an innovative approach to connecting with disadvantaged students through sports.
Kean launched the new Urban Impact podcast and a new commercial to help showcase all that Kean has to offer to prospective students and others.
The Kean Fitness Center got a major facelift with updated cardio and weight-training equipment; a new turf workout area; brighter, bigger space; and longer hours.
We held our first Mid-Year Convocation – another new tradition – highlighting data to show the University’s ongoing progress in addressing equity gaps. As I said in my Opening Day Address, we will continue to make data-driven decisions to help this University grow.
The University received more than $4 million in federal funding, and a team of students and administrators traveled to Washington, D.C. for our first Kean Day on Capitol Hill.
KEANetwork (Kean Educational Affiliation Network) expanded 30% this year and now has more than 50 partners, including the New York Red Bulls, offering a reduced-cost Kean education to their employees and members.
The Kean community and other supporters donated nearly $105,000 to support Founders Day and attended many Founders Day activities, including the inaugural Founders 5K.
The University continued to build upon our relationships with collective bargaining units on campus, instituting a performance-based promotion program for AFT/KFT professional staff.
The University received more than $11.7 million in research grants this academic year, building our research portfolio as we pursue R2 status from the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.

I am profoundly grateful for the success we have created together and look forward to continued progress moving forward.

Before I sign off on my last weekly message of the academic year, I have a few reminders for you:

All full-time employees are asked to RSVP by Friday, May 26 for Kean’s first Employee Appreciation Day, on Thursday, June 8 so we can celebrate the University’s accomplishments together.
Employees are also asked to fill out the quick Well-Being at Work assessment by Wednesday, May 24. Let us know if and how Kean supports your work-life balance, and you could win one of four prizes.
Lastly, I hope to see many of you at the 23rd annual Kean University Gala, honoring alumnus and New Jersey Senate President Nicholas P. Scutari ’89, on Thursday, June 15. Employees can purchase tickets here.

With that, I wish you all a fantastic summer. Remember to use this time – including Summer Fridays – to recharge. Come Fall, we’ll regroup for the new academic year with the renewed energy and drive that sets Kean apart.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.- May 12, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

Today I joined a team of 12 architecture and design students from Kean in Sarasota, Florida as they presented their master plan recommendations for New College of Florida in the New College Challenge initiative. They worked alongside students from five other universities with leading architecture programs – Yale University, Syracuse University and the universities of Miami, Florida and South Florida – to identify and address environmental, sustainability and other factors impacting the campus. I was so impressed by their thoughtful and detailed presentations and am proud of the way they represented themselves and our University. Congratulations to Michael Graves College Dean David Mohney, FAIA, and Kean Equity in Action Presidential Fellow Venesa Alicea-Chuqui, AIA, for working with the students on this important project. Great work, team Kean.

As you all know, research is a top priority at Kean, and the University’s first End-of-Year Faculty Research Conference yesterday amplified that more than ever before. Seasoned faculty and early-career faculty participated in more than 45 sessions covering a range of research topics. My gratitude to all the faculty who participated, and special thanks to conference chair Dr. Aaron van Klyton of the College of Business and Public Management, co-chair Dr. Madji Fall of the College of Education, co-organizer Dr. Dina Rosen of the Center for Teaching and Learning, and the rest of the committee for spearheading this collaborative event and sparking excitement for even more research to come.

I had such a great time at yesterday’s Well-Being at Work walk. As we continue to expand the Well-Being at Work initiative, I’m also asking faculty and staff to complete this short, confidential well-being assessment by Wednesday, May 24.
I also invite all full-time faculty and staff to celebrate the University’s accomplishments during the 2022-2023 academic year at Kean’s Employee Appreciation Event on Thursday, June 8. RSVP no later than Friday, May 26.

This week, the Albert Shanker Institute published a blog I wrote ahead of the 69th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education. It highlights the legacy of the Hedgepeth-Williams v. Board of Education decision in New Jersey that paved the way for the landmark Supreme Court ruling that eliminated segregation in schools nationwide. In the piece, I call on educators to raise the torch that has been passed to us by the activists of the past to demand equity in funding and resource allocations for our schools in historically underserved communities. I hope you enjoy it.

I am overwhelmingly proud of the diversity of our student population and of the traditions we hold that uplift our campus community. Last week, Black excellence took center stage at the University’s 36th annual African Heritage Graduation. The event recognized nearly 150 graduating seniors of African lineage and honored the many ways they have leaned into – and leaned on – the brilliance of our Black heritage and ancestry. I thank Dr. Sharon Boyd-Jackson, interim director of the Office of Africana Studies, Lisia Aikens, chair of the African Heritage Committee and Erin Lester from the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for organizing this terrific event and all of the deans and cabinet members who attended with me. It was an honor to celebrate with the students.

The semester officially came to a close this week and, guess what Cougars, you made it! I can’t wait to see many of you crossing the stage at our two commencement ceremonies next week. Enjoy this special time in your lives. You’ve earned it.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.- May 5, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

It’s Commencement season, my favorite time of the year when we celebrate the academic achievement of Kean’s students. The Spring semester is winding down, and the festivities are underway. Today I had the privilege of speaking to our Honors graduates and their families at our annual Honors Convocation. More than 1,200 members of the Class of 2023 are graduating with cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude honors. I am amazed by these students and what they achieved, powering through the challenges of COVID in addition to all of the usual college pressures, to graduate the top in their class. The Honors Convocation speaker was international higher education expert Rajika Bhandari, Ph.D. Her experience as a first-generation student and immigrant from India speaks to so many of our students and highlights what is one of Kean’s greatest strengths – our diversity. Along with everyone in the Kean community – faculty, advisors, administrators as well as parents and friends – I am inspired by our students’ stories, perseverance and achievement, and today’s Convocation was fuel for my soul. Kudos to all of our honors grads.

More celebrations of this year’s graduates are around the corner. Tomorrow, I’m speaking at the African Heritage Graduation Ceremony. We're also less than two weeks away from our big graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Prudential Center. Our teams from across campus are hard at work finalizing these events to make them celebratory and memorable for our graduates and their families. My thanks go out to everyone who is putting in that extra effort. We appreciate you.

I had a whole lot of fun judging the Keanu Upgrade Ya! Quad Contest yesterday with Vice President for Student Affairs Matthew Caruso, design expert (and my executive assistant) Maris Henson and Assistant Director of Residential Operations Shanita Ray. This was a contest among Quad residents to find the best makeover of a residence hall suite. Four teams were chosen as finalists from the entries, and then each was given $500 to splurge on their suites. Was I ever impressed! I’m happy to announce the winning team – Amber Gary, Aaliyah Lee and Malay Robinson, who brought the warm, relaxing vibe of Bermuda to their suite in Rogers Hall. Congratulations, Amber, Aaliyah and Malay, and thank you to all who competed. Your innovative DIY designs showed the depth of creativity on Kean’s campus.

As you know, today is Cinco de Mayo. We celebrated Kean’s strong Hispanic community last night, with music and dancing at the second annual Noche Latina event, held at STEM. I had the opportunity to speak to more than 100 alumni and friends of Kean and share with them how important our federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and our diversity are to our campus culture and identity. My thanks to Alumni Engagement Director Carol Ann Koert and her team for organizing this fantastic event.

As we prepare to welcome the Class of 2023 into our family of alumni, I remind them that this is not good-bye, merely so long for now. I urge each of our graduates to stay in touch with their friends, faculty and mentors at Kean and give back to the students coming up next. I look forward to seeing them at our many alumni events in the future. Spending time with our alumni is one of the great perks of my job.

After a week of clouds and rain, we’re supposed to have a beautiful Spring weekend ahead. Enjoy it, whatever you do.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - April 28, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

This week on Kean’s campus we saw clearly that it takes a village to cultivate our positive culture and climate. Every member of our campus community contributes to the academic, personal and professional environment we are creating together. At Research Days, I met with students and faculty members from across disciplines who showcased their research projects. I was blown away by their enthusiasm and their commitment to their collaborative work.

More than 1,300 students and faculty participated in Research Days this year and each one of them is helping us build our research culture here at Kean. I especially want to shout out two students I had the pleasure of meeting, Dominique Doyle from North Hanover, who is on her way to the University of Pennsylvania to study for her Ph.D., and Florencia Burian from East Brunswick, who is getting ready for an internship at MIT this summer. These students represent all of our outstanding student researchers and are exemplars of the kind of success our students can achieve here at Kean. Well done.

We are all part of the Kean family, and yesterday you may have noticed that the family got a little bigger for the day. More than 75 university employees signed up to participate in Take Your Child to Work Day on campus. It was a great opportunity for our employees to show their pride in our University and let their children see, first hand, what it is like to work at our great university. Some of the children played soccer on our beautiful field outside Miron at lunch, more than a few checked out my golf cart, and others went to class with their parents. I even asked three of them to help me put together this Founders Day video on Instagram. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Speaking of Founders Day – it’s time for the drum roll. I’m thrilled to announce, thanks to your generosity, we were able to exceed our Founders Day fundraising goal – we raised nearly $105,000! This year, more than 500 donors contributed, making it the most successful on record in both dollars and donors. I’d like to specifically thank all the students who came out in support of Founders Day and congratulate students Brendan Hannon who won a parking space/commuting costs, and Derek G. Martinez and Patricia Driscoll, who won $300 and $150 in Kean Flex Dollars, respectively. Special congratulations to Dr. Jonathan Mercantini and the College of Liberal Arts on generating the most donors among the colleges; I look forward to the trophy photo commemorating the win. Founders Day is just one more example of the Kean family – students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends – coming together to make big things happen for our students.

I’m also looking forward to celebrating all of our faculty and staff at the Employee Appreciation Event on Thursday, June 8. I ask all employees to complete this survey by Sunday to help with planning. I also encourage all of you, especially our science students and faculty, to sign up for the Kean Skylands BioBlitz coming up soon. We are looking for volunteers to help inventory the biodiversity of the beautiful Skylands campus. Lastly, with commencement season upon us, I thank all of the staff at ABM who keep our grounds looking fantastic this time of year (and all year), as well as the staff of Gourmet Dining and Catering Director Britney Davis. Their work is often behind the scenes, but it does not go unnoticed. A special shout out to Managing Assistant Director Donald Juxon-Smith from the Office of Facilities and Campus Planning on his retirement today. He’s one of our unsung heroes of the campus.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - April 21, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

This past week I’ve watched our students celebrate their communal experience here at Kean in so many ways. The community we are building across our Greek organizations, cultural groups, athletic teams and other student organizations is creating something uniquely Kean. It’s helping each of our students to be a part of something bigger than themselves, and that is valuable long after graduation. Several Greek organizations – Lambda Upsilon Lambda, Iota Phi Theta, Omega Psi Phi, Mu Sigma Upsilon, Delta Sigma Theta, and Phi Beta Sigma – welcomed their new members at probate celebrations this past week. Congratulations to all of the new initiates. Each of those organizations is devoted to service, which is a vital part of our Kean culture.

Our students strengthen Cougar Nation by making wonderful events, including last night’s CultureFest, happen. The student leaders of our teams, Greek organizations, academic clubs and many other organizations step up daily to plan and execute these community-building activities. Kudos to all of you, especially outgoing Student Government Association President Amir Gallashaw and incoming president Makenzie Kuntz. A special shoutout goes to the members of Kean PULSE, which stands for Programming for Unique and Lively Student Experiences. These students make a difference every day here on campus by planning events for career development, cultural awareness and, let’s not forget, social engagement. They’re our champions and we are grateful for everything they do to support their peers.

A cohort of 74 Kean Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) scholars were honored with an Academic Achievement Award from the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education at a ceremony held at Fairleigh Dickinson University today. I send my congratulations to the students on their accomplishment and my appreciation to Director Ruben Melendez and Associate Director Petal Britton-Gadsden, who are doing a great job in leading Kean’s EOF team.

At Kean, we encourage our students to speak up for themselves and offer them opportunities – including the Student Town Hall – to do just that. I greatly appreciate our students coming out to voice their concerns, share their experiences and offer their opinions on how the University can improve the student experience. I am grateful to Provost and Senior V.P. for Academic Affairs Dr. David Birdsell and other members of the administrative team who were on hand to address the students' questions during the final Town Hall of the academic year. As always, students gave us much to think about and address, including a more seamless way to switch majors, campus cleanup efforts, parking, food options on East Campus, new ways to use flex dollars, and more. We are addressing your questions and will share more information as it becomes available.

Today is Advisor Appreciation Day, an annual celebration of the work and role of academic advisors. Here at Kean, there are scores of advisors, counselors and staff who help students stay on track. I want to especially acknowledge the tremendous efforts of my Task Force on Advising, as well as the team at the Center for Advising, Persistence and Success, led by Associate Vice President Dr. Mensah Peterson and Director Dr. Stephanie Baker, for their leadership and commitment to seeing that our students have the support and resources they need to persist to graduation.

Congratulations to John J. Wooten, artistic director of Premiere Stages, who was honored by the New Jersey Theatre Alliance at the Curtain Call event in the STEM atrium for his exceptional work in keeping professional theater in the spotlight here at Kean and across the state. Hats off to Premiere Stages’ Christina Hoffman, director of marketing and audience development, and Nick Gandiello, education and Play Festival manager, who also received Awards of Excellence. Well done.

As the holy month of Ramadan comes to an end, I wish all those who celebrate Eid Mubarak.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - Founders Day

Dear Kean Community,

Today is Founders Day! We are celebrating the 168th anniversary of the first day of classes at the Newark Normal School, now Kean University. An annual day of giving, Founders Day kicked off with events on our Union and Kean Ocean campuses. The Kean Foundation team rallied supporters to donate so that their gifts would be matched. Special thanks to our challenge gift match donors, Mark Hiltwein, CPA ’87, vice board chair for the Kean Foundation and fellow board member Kevin Alton ’73, alumni Tony Plonner ’82 and Mark Franciotti ’10 as well as Barbara Kelly, whose mom Jane graduated from Kean in 1943. We are grateful to all of them.

Since giving back is part of Kean, I created a raffle to encourage students to give what they can. Any student who makes a donation today is entered into a raffle to win a semester of commuting costs or a parking space – on us. For our colleges, the friendly competition to see which one will raise the most is going strong. I encourage you to give generously to the Foundation to support our students, programs and campuses and thank everyone who has already made a donation. Watch this video to see our students express their gratitude. There is still time to donate to help us meet our fundraising goal of $100,000 – we’re more than halfway there! With everyone’s support, Kean Cougars can continue to climb higher.

This Founders Day, as I reflect on the transformation of Kean University since it began in 1855, I recognize the tremendous strides we’ve made on campus climate and culture. The past few years have taught us that fair and respectful labor relations are key to it all. We’re not perfect, and we don’t always agree, but our shared priority of creating an exceptional experience for our students keeps us grounded.

Through our collaborative management approach to labor relations, we have added more than 100 full-time, tenure-track faculty; expanded sabbatical opportunities and release time; and we are creating new pathways to promotion for professional staff. Kean recognizes the contributions of all of our employees, and we are committed to transparency in our dealings with the collective bargaining units representing many of them. Our recent Moody’s A2 rating affirms our financial stability throughout this process. In other words, we’ve got this.

Kean is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month one month early before the end of the semester in mid-May. For helping Kean to grow as a global university, I shout out Katsumi Kishida, associate director of Kean’s Center for International Studies, and Dr. George Chang, dean of Hennings College, who’s headed to China to help expand programming at Wenzhou-Kean University. I also commend Dr. Jin Wang, dean of the College of Business and Public Management, and CBPM associate professors Dr. Shweta Singh, who co-teaches our Jets Experience class, and Dr. Bok Gyo Jeong. These are just a small sampling of the many people of East and Southeast Asian, Indian and Pacific Island descent who are represented in the Kean family and help make us who we are.

It’s back to more springlike temperatures tomorrow – perfect for our Founders 5K run/walk, so be sure to register and join us on the Union campus. I’ll see you on the course!

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - April 6, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

This week, I was part of a Kean delegation to the National Conference on Trusteeship, hosted annually by the Association of Governing

Boards of Universities and Colleges. More than 1,000 presidents, trustees and executives met in San Diego to discuss trends, challenges and opportunities in higher education. Among other things, the conference, with the theme Transcend, addressed data and strategic enrollment efforts – two areas on which we’ve been keenly focused here at Kean. We are being intentional about using data to make decisions and allocate our resources, and we’re seeing the difference in our retention and enrollment rates. The conference affirmed for all of us that Kean is on track, and even ahead of the curve, for the continuing evolution of higher education. However, we know there is work still to do. I thank Board Chair Steve Fastook, Board Secretary Dr. Tom Bistocchi, Kean and Wenzhou-Kean Trustee John Kean Jr. as well as Joan Verplanck and Alexander Mirabella from the Wenzhou Board for joining me.

There’s still a buzz around campus about our Career and Internship Fair, which was a record-breaker for student and employer participation. On Tuesday – a beautiful spring day – an estimated 1,000 students from all academic majors visited the fair and networked with more than 200 employers from a wide variety of industries, including such giants as the New York Red Bulls, the New York Jets, Pfizer, Wakefern, Prudential and more. The employers have given us positive feedback, saying that Kean students came prepared. Of course, I expect nothing less. Our Kean Cougars are ready and eager to launch their careers with jobs and internships. Thanks to Toby Cobas, director of Career Services, and his team for giving our students this great opportunity.

Kean University was proud to welcome NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves to a practice on the Jacqueline Towns Court on East Campus today. The court is named after Karl-Anthony’s late mother, and his pride is evident every time he steps on the court with his team. This time, his grandmother was a spectator and took photos of the court named after her daughter-in-law. Also joining the team was Timberwolves President Tim Connelly, who got a tour of the full campus from the team’s assistant general manager, Steve Senior, who happens to be a 2003 graduate of Kean. It’s one more great example of Kean Cougars climbing higher.

One week from tomorrow, Friday, April 14, we celebrate Kean Founders Day! I look forward to seeing a campus full of students, faculty and staff wearing their Kean gear – or blue and white – to honor the day. I invite you to make a donation to the Kean Foundation and help us meet our $100,000 annual day of giving fundraising goal. You can even make your gift in person at Miron Student Center, or at the Gateway Building at Kean Ocean, at 9 a.m. at our Founders Day kick-off. I hear the competition between the six colleges to see who can generate the highest number of donors is really starting to heat up. I can’t wait to personally award this year’s trophy to the winner. To close out the festivities, sign up to run, walk or roll in the inaugural Founders 5K on Saturday, April 15. After the race, visit Texas Roadhouse in North Plainfield with this flyer from noon-5 p.m. or head across the street from our Union campus to Mighty Quinn’s BBQ between April 14 and Sunday, April 16 and use code “KUFoundersDay10” for a discount in the store or online. Either way, you’ll be supporting the cause.

Spring is such a hopeful time of year. I wish you and your loved ones a joyous Passover, blessed Easter and splendid season.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - March 31, 2023

Lamont Repollet views artist's renderings

Dear Kean Community,

This week I had the pleasure of witnessing learning in action through two exciting initiatives from Michael Graves College. I welcomed visitors from the Nantucket Historical Association to campus and celebrated the amazing work our students did to create a virtual reality experience that captures the beauty of Nantucket Harbor. Over the past few years, students from MGC have completed eight multi-faceted projects for the NHA both on site and remotely through the Design Studio and Center for Immersive Experiences. These kinds of projects showcase the talent and hard work of our students to a national audience and are shining examples of real-world success for MGC. Kudos to Associate Dean Rose Gonnella and Associate Professor Ed Johnston for leading the way.

MGC’s Thinking Creatively Conference is always a highlight of the academic year. This year, interactive advertising student Tyler Hart had the idea to create The Green Lane Diner Experience for his fellow classmates as part of the Thinking Creatively Experiences. It was complete with a counter serving snacks and ice cream and a booth for students to enjoy. Tyler had help from interior design senior Summer Stewart as well as three other interactive advertising students: Grace Martino, Taylor Anastasia, and Michael Scarpelli. It could not have come together without the support and advisement of MGC’s outstanding administrators and faculty: Deborah Ceballos, Rose Gonnella, Darion Washington, Christopher Navetta and Dawnmarie McDermid. It was a pleasure hosting everyone at The Green Lane Diner! Great work.

Earlier this week, I also had the chance to join the Halfway to Graduation event for our rising juniors. As we continue to focus on retention and helping our students on their timely path toward graduation, these kinds of events are so important to recognize how far our students have come over the last two years – including moments of great uncertainty – and to help motivate them to keep going. Kudos to Marvin Adames, assistant vice president for student retention and educational innovation, and his team for creating such a celebratory event that affirms our students’ commitment to pursuing their degree and achieving their goals.

I always try to make time for service. This afternoon, Director of Government Affairs and Community Partnerships Craig Coughlin Jr. and I joined Bristol Myers Squibb’s team, led by Jessica Cohen, at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s 24-hour Pack-a-Thon. We were joined by state Senate President Nicholas Scutari ’89, Senator Joseph Cryan, Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, Assemblyman Rev. Reginald Atkins, Assemblywoman Linda Carter, Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados ’10, ’16 MPA, Union County commissioners Lourdes Leon ’91, ’01 MPA and Joseph Bodek, as well as Union County Manager and Kean Board of Trustee member Ed Oatman ’98. Leadership from the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey also joined us. Together, we packed food for local families who are food insecure. At the same time, we also created connections, shared stories and discussed ways we might be able to work together to further impact our communities.

It’s been a great week for Athletics. Congratulations to head coach Shelley Sheiner who, with Saturday's win, has 208 coaching victories at Kean – the most wins of any men's lacrosse coach in our program history! Sophomore swimmer Naomee Miller earned five first-team selections and was named New Jersey Athletic Conference Swimmer of the Year, while Head Coach Chris Swenson was tabbed NJAC Coach of the Year. In all, the women's swimming team earned 17 All-NJAC selections. Go Cougars! This swimming team is truly a family. Their team effort does not go unnoticed, so I want to shout out all of them individually here: Krisztina Balogh, Emma Bellars, Julia Berkenbosch, Abby Burns, Amanda Davis, Isabel DeSanno, Grace Geyer, Taylor Jacobson, Ashley Konz, Emma Lindecke, Naomee Miller, Teagan Powell, Vivian Ravines, Brianna Shaw and Kylie Tininenko, along with assistant coaches Chris Karelus and Matea Samardzic.

Students, there is still time to register for the Spring 2023 Career & Internship Fair on Tuesday, April 4. More than 200 employers, including Pfizer, Prudential, the New York Jets and the New York Red Bulls, are coming to campus to talk with students about jobs and internships. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to advance your career.

We’ve got exactly two weeks to go until Founders Day on Friday, April 14, which marks the date our great institution was originally founded as the Newark Normal School. I invite all of you to honor this great day by making a gift to the Kean Foundation and helping us raise $100,000. Let’s make history. Also, who doesn’t love a little competition? We’ve got a friendly competition among our six colleges to see which one can generate the highest number of donors. Will the College of Business and Public Management win it again? Don’t forget to sign up for the Founders 5K. I’ll see you out there.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - March 24, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

Nǐ hǎo (hello) and happy Spring, Cougars! This was a historic week for Kean University. My senior team and I traveled to Wenzhou-Kean University for the first time during my presidency while our Government Affairs team led a delegation to Washington, D.C. for our first Kean Day on Capitol Hill. This international and national presence reflects the University’s growing profile since being designated as a national university and the state’s first urban research university. The impact of both trips will be felt for years to come.

At WKU, I was struck by the similarities between our Kean USA campuses and our China campus. We are on parallel tracks on opposite sides of the globe. The WKU research footprint is growing with more published research and grants, much the same as Kean USA. The China campus is also growing in enrollment, and on both sides of the world, our University is strongly supported by the local governments.

In Wenzhou, I had the opportunity to meet with Wenzhou Party Secretary Shuji Liu Xiaotao, Wenzhou Mayor Zhang Zhenfeng, Vice Mayor Chen Yingxu and others to discuss the role of WKU as an anchor institution for their local community. I also participated in media interviews to share this vision. For the first time, I had a chance to explore the city itself and get a real sense of our partners and their history.

On campus, I visited with students at the Spring Arts Festival and a club fair. I also attended the grand opening of the new One-Stop Center launched by the Dean of Students, Dr. Haina Zhu. Kudos to her and the rest of the WKU team for such great work.

We also met with the leadership of NYU Shanghai to discuss a joint consortium for research. This kind of cross collaboration will allow us to solidify the impact of our institutions in the communities we serve, whether in China or the United States. We are excited about the potential of this collaboration and look forward to further discussions. Shout out to our WKU team members who worked so hard to support our delegation while we were in China: Jin Lusong, Zhu Sida, Chen Bin, Xu Kai, Wang Shu and Lu Lisu. A special thank you to my friend and Wenzhou-Kean Chairman Frank Wang Beijiao and his team for their hospitality. We look forward to returning the favor on our campus soon.

I took a break from our itinerary to FaceTime with the Government Affairs delegation in Washington, D.C. to share my support despite the thousands of miles between us. Our students met with Rep. Tom Kean Jr., as well as staff from U.S. senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker as well as Rep. Frank Pallone’s offices. Shout out to graduate students Jason Pleitez, Julia Stasil and Felipe Peralta as well as undergraduates Amir Gallashaw, Riley Heesters and Chevon Williams. They asked tough questions and represented Kean students on important issues such as student loan debt and career preparation. We are so proud of you.

Many of our deans and administrators joined the students in Washington for some productive sessions with various agencies. They learned about many opportunities for collaboration and opportunities for jobs and internships for our students. Kudos to Chief Government Affairs Officer Kellie LeDet, Director Craig Coughlin and the rest of the GA team for organizing such a productive trip.

Before I sign off, I remind students that you still have time to register for the Spring Career and Internship Fair for all majors on Tuesday, April 4 along Cougar Walk. It’s an incredible opportunity to meet with employers across a wide range of industries who are looking to diversify and strengthen their workforce.

On the occasion of Ramadan, may your fast be peaceful and profound. I wish you abundance, good health and joy.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - March 17, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

I leave for China tomorrow on my first visit to Wenzhou-Kean University as president of our global institution. I’ve been looking forward to making this trip for a couple of years and am grateful that post-pandemic conditions now allow our small Kean delegation the opportunity to see the progress and growth at WKU in person. When I last visited Wenzhou as a Board of Trustees member in 2017, I spoke to the University’s second graduating class. Since then, thousands more students from China and elsewhere have enrolled at WKU – a record of 3,982 in Fall 2022 – because they seek the benefits of an American-style education in China. This growth is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team at WKU, and I can’t wait to visit with them and see the beautiful campus again.

Last week my wife Darlene and I had dinner with Chinese Consul General Huang Ping, and his wife, Zhang Aiping, in New York. My thanks to the Consul General for his support in coordinating our trip to China. In these times of political uncertainties among nations, the visit reminded me why our joint educational initiative at WKU is so important. Students from both of our countries benefit from the cultural exchange that is part of our partnership. Many students from WKU are currently studying on our Union campus, and we look forward to sending more Kean students back to study at WKU in Fall 2023. And this international education extends beyond China. More than 115 Kean students participated in TraveLearn experiences across eight countries and the U.S./Mexico border during Spring Break, experiencing valuable academic and cultural lessons and expanding their own horizons. That is what a Kean education is all about.

While I’m in China next week, a Government Affairs delegation led by Kellie LeDet, our chief government affairs officer, and Director Craig Coughlin Jr., will be traveling to Washington, D.C. for our first Kean Day on Capitol Hill. This important initiative will allow students to share their personal Kean stories in meetings with lawmakers and others. Members of our administration also will talk with our federal partners about further opportunities for research, student internships and collaboration. Kean is becoming well known in our nation’s capital and among senior lawmakers as a national university on the rise.

I thank Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. David Birdsell and the members of our General Education Task Force for their hard work thus far in recreating the GE curriculum at Kean. As many of you learned at yesterday’s GE presentation, this group is working diligently to create an inquiry- and place-based experiential learning curriculum that is unique among our peers and prepares our students for their majors. Look for more information about this process in the months to come.

As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, I shout out six women who contribute to our success from many corners of our campus: Felice Vazquez, senior vice president for planning and special counsel to the president; Karen Smith, vice president of University Relations; Kristin Ganley, chief university counsel; Professor Frances Stavola-Daly from the School of Health and Human Performance; CWA President Dawn Worley; and Sandra Espinal, assistant director for student leadership and development.

It is also Disability Awareness Month, and I encourage all of you to attend some of the exciting events on campus designed to amplify the lived experiences, contributions and talent of people with all types of disabilities. For the first time, ReelAbilities New Jersey Film Festival will be hybrid. You can experience award-winning short and feature-length films both in-person at NAAB and online, from Thursday, March 30 through Saturday, April 1. Also, Tony Award-winner Ali Stroker will perform at Enlow Hall on April 1, and Premiere Stages will bring Plays by People, a partnership with Matheny’s Arts Access program, to the stage on Sunday, April 2.

Lastly, we’ve got exactly four weeks to go until Founders Day on Friday, April 14. Please consider donating to help us raise $100,000 in honor of the 168th anniversary of the founding of Kean’s predecessor, the Newark Normal School, and get your sneakers ready for the inaugural Founders 5K on Saturday, April 15. Watch this video to get in the Founders Day spirit. Thanks in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - March 10, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

New Jersey Association for College Admission Counseling Regional College Fair

I hope you all had a restorative, relaxing Spring Break and you’re ready to finish the academic year strong. I have missed your energy on campus this week, Cougars, even though there’s been lots of activity while you were gone. On Tuesday, Kean welcomed more than 1,300 students from across the region to campus for the New Jersey Association for College Admission Counseling Regional College Fair. Attendees and their families met with representatives from nearly 120 colleges and universities, including Kean. It is always exciting to share the great things about Kean as students search for the college that’s right for them.

Also this week, hundreds of job seekers from across the state came to campus to meet with – and be recruited by – representatives from federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies. Kean partnered with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office to host the second-annual Law Enforcement Recruitment Fair to further expand and diversify this critical workforce. We’re really proud of our criminal justice program and the Kean graduates who are serving their communities in law enforcement.

During Women’s History Month and always, I respect and honor the women leaders with whom I have the privilege to work. Today, I want to recognize the women who serve on the Kean Board of Trustees: Vice Chair Linda Lewis, Bertha Little-Mathews, former Chair Ada Morell ’97 and Barbara Sobel ’71. The extraordinary leadership, intelligence, insight and innovation of these women, along with my remarkable Chief of Staff Audrey Kelly, executive director of the Board of Trustees, and Associate Director Michelle Freestone, are invaluable. Thank you to all of them for their incredible work and unwavering commitment to this University.

As we spring forward to daylight saving time this weekend, the signs of Spring are beginning to show. These seasonal changes are also reminders – students, it’s time to schedule a meeting with your CAPS advisor ahead of Summer and Fall registration, tentatively scheduled to begin with priority registration on Monday, April 3. Graduating seniors, now is the time to prepare for Commencement and make sure you’ve got everything in order for this milestone event in your life. Visit the Commencement web page for the latest updates and information about the Graduate Fairs on Wednesday, May 3 and Thursday, May 4. You’ll be finished before you know it!

I look forward to seeing you all back on campus next week as we finish out the Spring semester in true Cougar style! Have a great weekend.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - March 3, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

Thank you to everyone who joined me yesterday at the Miron Student Center for our first-ever Mid-Year Convocation. As I looked out into the full theatre, I was struck by how many of you came to share data, learn from one another and see how far we’ve come in addressing equity gaps in higher education. There’s strength in our numbers, as so many of you saw in the Data Gallery Walk, where 25 colleges and offices across the University highlighted their successes and goals. It was invigorating to see so many of you engaging in conversation and collaboration to bring forth new ideas and plans of action. There’s more work to be done, but I am confident that we’re on the right track.

While DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) efforts across the country are under fire as smoke-and-mirror – words without meaningful action – it’s clear that’s not what we’re doing here at Kean. We are making an impact. Yesterday was further proof that we are a strong community, committed to working together to close equity gaps – starting right here with our Kean students and expanding our efforts across higher education and beyond.

I thank the leadership team from the Division of Administration and SADI (Strategic Analytics and Data Illumination), including Senior Vice President Dr. Mike Salvatore, Vice President Dr. Carlos Rodriguez and Assistant Vice President Dr. Neva Lozada, for bringing us together to reflect on the progress we’ve made and set the stage for next steps. My appreciation also to the leadership and staff of University Relations, Conference and Events Services, Kean Stage, MSC and Computer and Information Services for your valuable contributions, both to the University’s vision and to the success of the Convocation.

Equity was also center stage this week as we kicked off Women’s History Month with two important events spearheaded by Dr. Consuelo Bonillas, coordinator of our Women’s and Gender Studies program, and Dr. Tamika Quick, executive director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. My wife, Darlene, joined students and advocates for a crucial conversation and call to action around Black maternal-infant health outcomes inspired by the My Black Health is Beautiful curriculum. Participants then heard from more great speakers at a Period Party. Shout out to Drs. Bonillas and Quick, as well as Dr. Barbara George Johnson, vice president of external affairs and urban policy and research, Dr. Patricia Morreale, chair of the Department of Computer Science and Technology, and the many other women on campus for the tremendous work you do to support and empower women. Keep an eye out for more campus events celebrating Women’s History and Disability Awareness in March.

Today is Employee Appreciation Day, and I want you to know how much I appreciate the great team we have here at Kean. Cougars, enjoy your Spring Break next week. Make the most of your well-deserved days off, take time for self-care. I look forward to seeing you when you get back — rejuvenated and ready to finish out the semester strong.

I hope to see some of you at the Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, March 6.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - February 24, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

This week I had the opportunity to meet with the leaders of other Hispanic-Serving Institutions across the country as well as the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas in Washington, D.C. to discuss one of the most important issues on our campuses: safety. The recent shooting at Michigan State University was fresh on everyone’s mind, but we all know it is only the latest incident of school and workplace violence in our country. We have a great deal of work to do as a nation to address hate and gun violence. The good news is we are already doing the work here at Kean to ensure our open campus is a place where we can all feel safe and secure.

Dr. Repollet with the leaders of other Hispanic-Serving Institutions across the country

As I shared with my fellow college presidents, Kean is focused on risk mitigation and emergency preparedness. What does that mean for all of you? Kean’s Department of Public Safety is working to address potential threats before they escalate and to be prepared to respond in the event of an emergency. Our team engages with law enforcement across the state to make sure we are trained in both community policing and emergency response. In the near future, we will be conducting an emergency preparedness drill to further those efforts. Please be reassured that drills are simply part of our safety strategy and not cause for alarm.
It takes a village to keep us all safe. I want to thank University Police Acting Director Anthony Monticello and Acting Associate Director Jerome Hatfield for their work and collaboration with other divisions on campus. I also want to thank students, particularly the members of my President’s Advisory Council, for identifying areas for improvement, such as lighting upgrades and the addition of new blue emergency phones.

I am grateful to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities for hosting all of us in Washington, D.C. yesterday to facilitate these important conversations. I got the chance to engage with the Department of Homeland Security about internships for students and professional learning. I was also able to share Kean’s great work in the field of cybersecurity. As many of you know, the Kean University Center for Cybersecurity was designated last year as an NSA Center for Academic Excellence - Cyber Defense. This is crucial work, and it was great to showcase it on a national stage.

As we come to the end of Black History Month, I shout out four individuals: William Burton, managing assistant director in the Office of Computer and Information Services, keeps many important meetings and presentations running smoothly; Kerrin Lyles, assistant vice president for student affairs, brings his expertise to running the Miron Student Center and other programs; Dr. Louis Beaugris is a longstanding leader in the Department of Mathematical Sciences; and Sandra Mazara-Wheeler, director of undergraduate admissions, keeps our student recruitment going strong. We are grateful to all of them for their service to Kean.

Congratulations to swimmer Naomee Miller for being chosen to participate in the 2023 NCAA Division III Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship next month in North Carolina. Good luck, Naomee. We are all cheering you on. I also remind you to RSVP by Monday for our inaugural Mid-Year Convocation on Thursday, March 2 at 3:30 p.m. in the Little Theatre at Miron Student Center. We are excited to share Kean’s “Strength in Numbers” through the work our divisions are doing to address equity gaps in higher education. See you there.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - February 17, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

My trip to Brazil with a Kean delegation last week was productive and enlightening, but it’s nice to be back on campus. This week I jumped back into meetings and strategy sessions to plan for the remainder of this semester and beyond. There are many exciting things in the works, so stay tuned.

Our Well-Being at Work yoga session yesterday was very relaxing. It prepared my mind and body to finish out the week and head into the weekend feeling good. My gratitude to Tara Bogota, program coordinator for Kean’s Yoga Teacher Training Center in the College of Health Professions and Human Services, and students and staff from the School of Health and Human Performance, for offering us the time and space to center and re-energize ourselves.

I had the pleasure of Walking Through Black History with Kean P.U.L.S.E. this week as well. The work student-leaders Hannah Tull, Kayla Vares and Sarai Rodriguez are doing to ensure their fellow students have a safe, welcoming, fun and educational community to belong to here at Kean is truly remarkable.

The Cougars’ championship ring is getting bigger and bigger. Congrats to Coach Chris Swenson and the 14 members of the women’s swimming team for earning a spot on the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association (CSCAA) Scholar All-America Team. They are currently competing in the Metropolitan Conference Championships. The entire team has worked very hard to achieve this level of success and I couldn’t be more proud. There are plenty of opportunities to cheer on our fellow Cougars here on their home turf this weekend. Men’s volleyball is playing in three sets, men’s baseball will take on a doubleheader, and the men’s basketball team enters the quarterfinals of the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament. Visit the Athletics website for schedule details.

Let’s all take a page from our athletes and start preparing for the inaugural Kean University Founders Day 5K in April. My wife, Darlene, and I will be participating and want to see all of you running, walking or rolling alongside us, so head on over to register. Since we’re off on Monday for Presidents’ Day, we can all get a head start on training.

Before we leave for the weekend, I invite you all to reserve a seat at our first Mid-Year Convocation on Thursday, March 2, at 3:30 p.m. at the MSC Little Theatre. My leadership team and I will be sharing updates on how the University is using data to close equity gaps in higher education – in alignment with Kean’s recent Moon Shot for Equity partnership – and how you can help contribute to our forward progress.

Enjoy the three-day weekend.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - February 10, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

Ola! Boa tarde! I’m writing as I wrap up my trip to Brazil as site visit chair of the Middle States Self-Study Team for Buffalo State University. This week, I was fortunate to visit Brasília and see some of the amazing programs being offered at the School of the Nations, an international school. I’m also leading a Kean delegation that is focused on expanding our reach here in Brazil, both in terms of educational partnerships for students as well as research and industry connections.

The delegation held meetings in Brasília and São Paulo. On Thursday morning, Cultural Affairs Officer Todd Miyahira and Senior Education Outreach Specialist Leonardo Nardon, both from the U.S. Embassy in Brasília, facilitated a meeting with Dr. Frederico Lamego, superintendent for international business at SENAI. SENAI is Brazil’s primary vehicle for technical education. It partners extensively with industry to develop a skilled workforce, and foster research and development through 27 Innovation Centers around the country. We discussed several ways to collaborate as SENAI seeks to grow its base of partners in areas of research and instruction, such as the biosciences and cyber security, where Kean has deep expertise.

We also want to bring Brazilian students to Kean for some or all of their studies. Our team met with officials at the EducationUSA office in Brasília to make sure that Kean’s growing roster of faculty and degree programs is well understood by the key agency fostering inbound student mobility on behalf of the U.S. government. Our focus on urban research serves us well as we seek to attract students and faculty from around the world interested in urban issues. The group also visited Mackenzie Presbyterian University, FAAP - Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado, and the Fulbright Commission.

My thanks to Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. David Birdsell, Senior Vice President and Special Counsel Felice Vazquez, Deputy Chief of Staff Itunu Balogun, Acting Associate Director of Public Safety Jerome Hatfield and Kean Study Abroad Coordinator Brittany Bursa for joining me in this important outreach. Special thanks also to Board of Trustee member Barbara Sobel and her husband, former U.S. ambassador to Brazil Clifford Sobel, for their time and advice in designing such a productive visit. Outreach of this kind is an opportunity for us to learn as well as to advance our partnerships. The U.S. has no monopoly on good ideas. Just as we encourage our students to engage globally and look to the whole world for inspiration, the University applies that same spirit of learning and exploration to our efforts to expand our global footprint.

Back at home, we continue to celebrate Black History Month. Today I want to recognize Athletic Director Kelly Williams, who has transformed our Athletic Department since he joined Kean a few years ago. He is inspiring our athletes and many of us across the University. I encourage you to take a look at the department’s new video series celebrating Black History Month.

Before I sign off, let me point out two exciting opportunities for our students. I encourage all of you to sign up for our Greek Life Alumni Student Networking event on Wednesday, February 15. We have dozens of alumni who are coming to meet and discuss their careers with you. This is a great opportunity to expand your network, and it’s open to everyone, not just members of Greek organizations. I also encourage all of our students who are fluent Spanish speakers, and I know we have many, to submit an audition tape to be a star in our newest Amazon video series The College Tour en Español. This is a chance to share your Kean story with the world in your native language.

As the people of Turkey and Syria continue to face the aftermath of powerful earthquakes that claimed more than 22,000 lives and injured thousands, I extend my deepest sympathies to people in the region. I encourage every member of the Kean family to dig deep and consider making a donation to the relief efforts — CNN today offered some ways to support the cause, and other organizations are also collecting donations.

See you all back on campus next week.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - February 3, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

Black History Month has begun and so has the celebration at Kean. We proudly take this time to recognize the contributions of Black Americans to our nation’s culture and society, with our eyes firmly set on a future nourished by the principles of fairness, equity and justice.

It was an honor to kick off the month’s festivities with an award from the Union County Board of Commissioners. I received Union County’s Humanitarian Award named for Chester Holmes — a respected businessman and civic leader who, for years, selflessly served Union County and our country. I am grateful to the Board, including Chairman Sergio Granados, a two-time Kean alumnus, and fellow alumnus state Senate President Nicholas Scutari, for their support at the Union County Performing Arts Center event on Tuesday. I also thank the many Kean colleagues who joined me.

As I told the audience, there is a great responsibility that comes with being first, something that hits home for me as the first Black president of Kean. If you look at those in history who were the first, you will see people who had the courage not to accept the status quo. You will see people who fought for civil rights as basic rights. You will see true leaders. I’m acutely aware of my place in the history of Kean, one of the most diverse universities in the country, and my obligation to you and all future generations of students. Carter G. Woodson, the “Father of Black History,” once said, “No man knows what he can do until he tries.” I remind all of you to keep trying, to be champions for equity and justice. I will be right there with you.

Black history is, in some ways, a misnomer because Black history is not only something that happened in the past; it’s evolving right now and always, with Black leaders throughout our society, some of them right here at Kean. People like Dr. Roxie James, a biology professor and alumna who has been teaching since 1978. Through her mentorship and leadership roles over her many years of service, Dr. James continues to build a legacy as someone who is always there for her students. We thank you, Dr. James, for setting an example for others to follow.

I was reminded of the power of our diverse alumni this week when I met with the leadership team of the Alumni Association. They are eager to support our students and the growth of this institution. I shared our plans for celebrating Black History Month, including the exhibit from the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore that was on display at the Miron Student Center earlier this week. I hope you were able to catch it.

Kean’s diversity, of course, is enriched by the many Chinese and international students enrolled at Wenzhou-Kean University. Many of those students and alumni joined me yesterday, along with Kean USA students and alumni, my executive leadership team and Kean employees, at the Chinese consulate in New York for a spectacular Lantern Festival. It marked not only the end of the new year celebration but also, the continuation of our innovative educational partnership with Wenzhou. With travel to China opening up, there are big things ahead.

One of our top priorities at Kean is doing our part to end equity gaps that have deep roots in higher education. With that in mind, I’m pleased to announce that you’re all invited to our Mid-Year Convocation on Thursday, March 2, where we will highlight the important work we’re doing as part of the national Moon Shot for Equity initiative. The event will focus on our strength in numbers, showcasing data from units across Kean that illustrate how we’re working together to address equity. Mark your calendars for the event from 3:30 - 5 p.m. at the Miron Student Center and look for more details in the coming weeks. I hope to see you there.

Stay warm this weekend. It’s going to have a chilly start.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - January 27, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

This past week has been one marked by appreciation and optimism. In the spirit of appreciation, Bill Miller, CEO of the Kean University Foundation, and I were fortunate to spend time with Diane G. Miron ’61, ’18H, and her husband Bob, on Thursday in Sarasota, Florida. Words cannot express my gratitude to the Miron family for their continued commitment and generosity to Kean University. I am happy to share that Diane has been elected as Distinguished Lifetime Emerita for the Kean University Foundation. The Emeritus distinction is the highest honor the Foundation’s Board of Directors can bestow upon former members.

Since joining the Board in November 2015, Diane has demonstrated long-term dedication and support for the Foundation and its mission. She has inspired others to take action and has demonstrated an aspirational level of service and engagement. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to offer Diane this special recognition in honor of her significant leadership contributions. I’m also grateful to Foundation Chair William “Bill” Loehning '70, '15H, and his wife Doris, Christine '73 and Tony '71 Sa, as well as Sandra '69 '78 M.A. and Art Williams for their support and fellowship along this journey.

As we look forward to the second half of this academic year, I also feel inspired. Philanthropy, after all, is an act of optimism. Philanthropic support enables investment in so many wonderful initiatives and strengthens Kean’s fundamental ability to grow in quality and prestige. Generosity comes in many forms, and it's often the best way for us to support important causes that matter the most in our lives. When we give back to Kean, we help enhance the campus experience for students and strengthen our teaching, research and service.

We’re already busy planning for Founders Day on Friday, April 14, which provides an excellent opportunity for us all to make a difference. I hope you will consider making a gift of any size to support the Kean University Foundation. These funds allow us the flexibility to meet the most pressing needs of our students, needs that have changed post-pandemic. More information on Founders Day will be shared in the months ahead as we develop a competition among the colleges to help generate support and a bit of fun. In the meantime, I thank each and every one of our treasured donors for your continued passion and enthusiasm.

Also contributing to my optimism and the University’s outstanding progress is the work being done by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP), under the leadership of Acting Director Reenat Munshi. Through ORSP, the University has secured more than $10 million in grant funding over the last year alone. These grants are funding research and programs that help students succeed and cement Kean’s role as New Jersey’s urban research university.

Let me tell you about a few of the grants. Assistant Professor Dr. Aaron Gubi received a $4.5 million U.S. Department of Education grant to promote diversity among school psychologists, provide internships and externships to our psychology students and strengthen mental health programs in Belleville Public Schools. A $2.7 million federal grant to the Child Care Access Means Parents in School program (CCAMPIS), gives eligible student-parents at Kean financial support to enroll their children in Kean’s Child Care and Development Center. Over at Hennings College, Dr. Matthew Niepielko was awarded an $829,000 CAREER grant from the National Science Foundation for research on the fertility of fruit flies that will involve graduate, undergraduate and high school students. Finally, Equity in Action Fellow Dr. Saran Nurse is using a nearly $400,000 grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to research the resiliency of Black-owned businesses faced with economic disruptions. Congratulations, and thank you, to our faculty and to ORSP for prioritizing equity and academic excellence in research.

Before I close, I give a shoutout to Shannon McCoy ’23 from the women’s basketball team who is having an incredible season and had one heck of a week. She scored a career-high 41 points in Kean's win over William Paterson, with 10 three-pointers, tying Kean’s single-game record. Shannon’s exploits on the court are being noticed. She earned U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Player of the Week, D3hoops.com Team of the Week and New Jersey Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors. Wow! Keep up the great work, Shannon, and good luck as you pursue your second degree at Kean.

And on this Friday, with the weekend ahead, I end my message to you by recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day today, with quiet reflection on the lives lost and hope for an end to anti-semitism, racism and all forms of hate.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

A Message from President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. - January 20, 2023

Dear Kean Community,

Welcome back, Cougars! I trust you had a restful and reinvigorating winter break and are ready to embrace the new opportunities that await you this semester. It gives me great joy to see the campus full again with new and returning students, faculty and staff. And, as we celebrate the Lunar New Year, I am also pleased to welcome nearly 100 students from Wenzhou-Kean University to our Kean USA community.

Kean University wouldn’t be what it is without the collaborative effort of so many people across various divisions. Today I give a shoutout to University Registrar Scott Snowden ’07, ’08 MPA. He and his staff have done an incredible job streamlining and facilitating the student registration process. Scott, a Kean alum, is an extraordinary example of how Cougars Climb Higher and help others do the same.

Our magnificent campus got even better this week. As part of our ongoing focus on well-being, we unveiled the new and improved Kean Fitness Center in the D’Angola Gym. The revamped space is equipped with new equipment and workout spaces to help our students and employees honor their new year’s resolutions and self-care practices all semester long. Thanks to Adam Varava and the team in Facilities and Campus Planning for getting the new fitness center ready in time for the start of the Spring semester.

Congratulations to the women's swimming team, the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Champions! For nearly 40 years, two schools — Rowan and TCNJ — have dominated the league, but Kean turned history on its head this year. The team’s first-ever championship win came at the end of an undefeated run in conference competition and only six years after the swimming program restarted at Kean. I couldn’t be more proud of the athletes and grateful to Coach Chris Swenson for leading the women to this historic milestone. Go Cougars!

Over at Harwood Arena this week, I had the chance to stop by the lively Meet the Greeks event and see the camaraderie and positive energy that the members of our Greek Life community bring to the Kean family. It contributed to my feelings of gratitude for our great Cougar Nation and optimism about the semester ahead as we continue to climb higher, together, in our commitment to equity, research and academic excellence.

I wish you all a happy and prosperous Year of the Rabbit. Have a terrific semester, everyone!

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President

President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., Reflects on the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Dear Kean Community,

Today we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a national day of service for our country. It is a time to reflect on the legacy of the great civil rights leader and how we can put the ideals he championed so bravely and selflessly into action in our own lives. Dr. King showed us the power of peaceful protest, of committing ourselves wholly to equity for all. He was more than an inspiration; he was a changemaker. But Dr. King’s work is not done. Racism and discrimination still exist and more must be done to achieve equity for Black, brown and other marginalized people in our country.

We cannot wait for others to drive this change. It is through our own service that we can become changemakers ourselves. Dr. King did not help usher in federal civil rights and voting rights legislation in the 1960s on his own. People like you and me joined the fight and made their voices heard. Dr. King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’” I challenge all of us to answer that question in our own way.

Here at Kean, we’ve made equity and access to higher education a priority. From our new Entrepreneurial Education Initiatives division to our Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, we have laid the path of educational access and equity for students across New Jersey. As individuals at Kean, each of us has the opportunity to serve others through the University’s many initiatives and service projects on campus and in our communities.

When I traveled to the South on a Civil Rights Travelearn last year, I was struck by just how much the advocacy of Dr. King and his contemporaries back in the 1960s still shapes our world today. I am grateful to Dr. King and the many civil rights pioneers who carved a path for me, a Black man, to become the leader of this great institution. As we embark on a new semester this week, I encourage all of you to take a lesson from Dr. King and create the change you wish to see in this world.

See you on campus tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President