Tori Hiotakis, a graduating senior, got a chance to work on acting, lighting and playwriting during her diverse experience as a theatre student at Kean. She also performed with Broadway icons. Learn more about her story.

Kean University’s Class of 2024 has big plans after graduation. Find out what’s in store for our newest alumni, including medical school, law school and jobs in business, aeronautics and more. Kean’s world-class programs helped put them on the path to their dream careers.

Kean University senior Oluwatunmise Alabi’s work in research earned her both recognition as a finalist for a competitive national computing award and a job offer as a software engineer at Northrop Grumman.

Alabi, of Roselle, who will earn her Bachelor of Science degree in computer science, was selected as one of 55 finalists from 41 institutions for the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Award. 

“Being recognized as a woman in tech on such a prestigious level has been a significant achievement for me,” Alabi said. “It's a reminder of how far I have come, and to encourage others along my path.” 

At Kean, Alabi dedicated herself to research, combining her interest in statistics and her earlier fascination with criminology.

Her research project mined data related to COVID-19 and crime in New Jersey to reveal potential correlations between them. 

She presented her research poster at the IEEE MIT Undergraduate Research Technology Conference in October. Alabi’s research paper was later accepted into the conference. She also shared her findings at the Great Minds in STEM (GMiS) conference in Pasadena, California just a few days later.

“I have a great interest in statistics,” Alabi said. “My previous interest in criminology led me to anecdotally view a connection between the two topics. I researched the statistical significance of the connection.”

Her academic advisor, Associate Professor Ching-yu Huang, Ph.D., said she “demonstrates intelligence and enthusiasm in her work.” 

“I provided high-level guidance and direction, while she independently handled the implementation and analysis of her projects,” Huang said. “I am filled with pride for her accomplishments.”

Alabi’s research  presentation caught the attention of employers, as she obtained an internship through networking at the GMiS conference, which led to a full-time job offer.  

In August, she will start as an aeronautics systems engineer and scenario developer with Northrop Grumman, an aerospace and defense technology company and one of the world's largest military technology providers. In the future, she plans to return to school to earn her graduate degree in data science. She hopes to potentially continue finding a connection between crimes in the U.S. and prominent social and economic issues. 

The NCWIT AiC award, for which Alabi is a finalist, honors “technical contributions to projects that demonstrate a high level of innovation and potential impact” in areas such as software and app development, big data, cybersecurity and more. 

If Alabi is chosen as a winner she is eligible to win public recognition, computing resources and up to $10,000. 

Previously, Alabi was recognized as the New Jersey affiliate winner and received a national honorable mention two years consecutively for the AiC High School Award. She notes that the Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (CASHI) program at Kean sparked her interest in undergraduate research. 

In April, she spoke alongside two other finalists at the New Jersey Women in Computing Award Ceremony at Kean. On the panel, she touched upon her experience of being a woman in a male-dominated field. 

"I find solace knowing I am not the first woman to go through these challenges, but I am doing everything in my power to be the last,” said Alabi. “I strive to ensure others will not face the same obstacles I did."

Alabi hopes to inspire, support and advocate for women in technology.

“It feels surreal to be recognized at the collegiate level because I was directly competing with other women in the United States, including those at schools like MIT,” Alabi said.

Kean University recently celebrated the highest-achieving members of its undergraduate Class of 2024 at a festive Honors Convocation.

A total of 1,100 students from Kean’s six undergraduate colleges were recognized for honors distinction. Proud family and friends at Harwood Arena cheered and snapped cell phone pictures and video as each of the honors graduates crossed the stage and were recognized.

“You are the cream of the crop of Kean University,” Kean President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., said in his welcoming remarks. “Throughout your time at Kean, you have set a high bar for yourselves. You have proven you possess talent, dedication and resourcefulness to succeed at whatever path you choose. Continue to give your all, and there will be no limit to what you can achieve.”

Kean Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs David Birdsell, Ph.D., also addressed the graduates. 

“I truly understand how much effort, sweat and tears it takes, and how much sacrifice you and your family have made to get you here today,” Birdsell said. “You will graduate in a few days with a shining seal of honor on your diploma, and open a new chapter of your life with confidence and hope.”

Undergraduates will receive their diplomas at Kean University Commencement on May 16, at the Prudential Center in Newark.

Kean’s Honors Convocation recognizes students who achieved three levels of honors: summa cum laude, with a GPA of 3.85-4.0; magna cum laude, a GPA of 3.65-3.84; and cum laude, a GPA of 3.45-3.64. 

This year’s graduates overcame a particular challenge, most starting college in Fall 2020, during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Michael Fonte of Monroe Township, earning summa cum laude honors in biology/health professions, said his achievement took “work, dedication, focus and time,” plus meeting his academically-focused girlfriend.

“If you’d asked me four years ago, I never would’ve thought I’d be here,” said Fonte, who will now attend graduate school. “It’s a great feeling.” 

Lechante Browne of Brooklyn entered Kean in 2016, left after one semester, then returned and is graduating cum laude. A graduate of Kean’s speech-language-hearing sciences program, she plans to attend graduate school and one day open her own practice.

“I feel accomplished,” she said. “It’s been a long journey. The fact that I came back and came back stronger, I feel grateful.”

Many graduates attended Kean while holding down jobs, raising families and shouldering other responsibilities – and all put in hours studying, writing papers, or in the lab.

Kean Board of Trustees Chair Steve Fastook ’06H congratulated the students and welcomed them to the ranks of alumni.

“You are now, and will always be, a member of the Kean family,” he said. “Come visit when you need to see a familiar face, or walk a familiar path, or if you simply want to enjoy a little Cougar pride. Our journey together is really just beginning.”

Undergraduate Commencement Salutatorian Amanda Coyne, who is graduating summa cum laude, highlighted “the rigorous assignments, demanding projects, high expectations, personal setbacks and moments of doubt” they all overcame.

“They were not merely obstacles, they were opportunities for growth,” said Coyne, earning her degree in psychology and psychiatric rehabilitation in Kean’s joint program with Rutgers University.

The convocation also featured an address from Alison Griffiths, Ph.D. a distinguished professor of film and media studies at Baruch College, the City University of New York and member of the doctoral faculty in theatre at the CUNY graduate center. She spoke to the graduates – a generation that grew up with social media – about the power of images.

“Be kind to yourself and others through your use of images,” Griffiths said. “Imagine that your photos would rather do the job of lifting people up rather than knocking them down.”

Among the proud family members, Julio Rodriguez of North Bergen came bearing a flower bouquet and “Congratulations” balloon to celebrate his daughter, Gianna Rodriguez. 

Rodriguez and his wife, Helene, beamed as they talked about Gianna, who earned her degree in speech-language-hearing sciences, summa cum laude, and is headed to a graduate audiology program at the University of Maryland.

“I’m just extremely proud,” Julio Rodriguez said. “She’s going to go far.”

Waiting outside Harwood before the ceremony began, Olivia Katz of Toms River, a Kean Ocean graduate in mathematical sciences education, held the “summa cum laude” sign and smiled as her mother, Renee, took pictures.

Katz, who is entering Teach for America – and will teach at an U.S. Air Force base in Hawaii – seemed to speak for all the graduates.

“It’s a beautiful day. Everybody feels proud of themselves, and I’m proud of myself,” she said. “I’m happy to be here.”

Acclaimed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and CNN news anchor Abby Phillip will share their insight with Kean University graduates as the featured speakers for the University’s 2024 undergraduate and graduate commencements.

“At Kean University our goal is to launch our graduates onto successful career paths, and Neil deGrasse Tyson and Abby Phillip are both inspiring examples of success and excellent role models for our students,” said Kean University President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. “We are extremely proud to welcome these two stellar individuals to speak to our 2024 Kean graduating classes.” 

Tyson, the director of New York’s Hayden Planetarium and a highly-respected scientist known for his work on PBS Nova, Discovery and numerous documentary and news appearances, will address undergraduates and their families on Thursday, May 16, at Kean’s Undergraduate Commencement at the Prudential Center in Newark. 

Tyson, who holds a Doctorate of Astrophysics from Columbia University, will also be presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters for his outstanding contributions as an astrophysicist.

Phillip, anchor of the cable network’s NewsNight with Abby Phillip and a former senior political correspondent and anchor of Inside Politics Sunday, will deliver her address to post-baccalaureate students at Graduate Commencement on Tuesday, May 14 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Phillip is making her second appearance before a Kean audience after serving as a President’s Distinguished Lecturer in 2022.

Steve Fastook ’H06, president of the Kean University Board of Trustees, said Tyson and Phillip will shine as memorable Commencement speakers.

“Our Undergraduate and Graduate commencements are the pinnacle of our academic year at Kean and a time that we celebrate the hard work and dedication of our graduates,” Fastook said. “We look forward to the added excitement these speakers will bring to our ceremonies.”

Tyson is an oft-quoted and world-renowned scientist, who has shared his knowledge on TV programs on PBS, NatGeo and other outlets; in numerous documentaries, films and podcasts; and even played himself in television comedies, including The Big Bang Theory and the animated series The Simpsons. He has also written numerous books, and currently serves as astrophysicist and Frederick P. Rose director of the Hayden Planetarium, American Museum of Natural History.

Phillip anchors NewsNight with Abby Phillip, airing weeknights at 10 p.m., covering the day’s biggest stories with a sharp, insightful approach. During her meteoric rise at CNN, she has moderated presidential debates; covered the White House during the Trump administration; and anchored special coverage of Election Night in America surrounding the 2020 election. 

In their most recent published study, "Applying Swin Architecture to Diverse Sign Language Datasets", students Annaliese Watson and Justin Delgado, with faculty members Yulia Kumar and Kuan Huang, go beyond traditional methods, exploring how AI can bridge the gap between sign languages and spoken languages like English. Through deep learning and transformer technologies, prototypes have been developed to translate ASL into English, backed by an educational framework to aid learning and understanding.

One of the key findings of the research is the remarkable adaptability of the Swin model across different sign languages, demonstrating its potential as a versatile tool for the unvoiced. Other models such as the vision transformer with deformable attention (DAT), ResNet-50, and VGG-16 have also been evaluated for ASL recognition, with the Swin model standing out for its accuracy across various datasets. 

However, the study doesn't stop there. It delves into the challenges of balancing accuracy with the need for real-time, portable language recognition, introducing cutting-edge transformer models like Swin and DAT to address these concerns. By integrating multimodality and large language models (LLMs), the aim is to promote inclusivity on a global scale.

Looking ahead, future efforts will focus on enhancing these models and expanding their reach to include more languages. The ultimate goal is to develop real-time translation applications and educational frameworks that empower the deaf and hard-of-hearing community with more effective communication tools.

This research not only advances the field of sign language recognition but also brings us closer to a world where communication knows no bounds. With the power of AI, we can build a more inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to be heard and understood. 

To see more of what our faculty have worked on, visit Dr.Kumar's Google Scholar here and Dr.Huang's here. 

Learn about new sustainability initiatives at Kean University from lecturer Allison Edgley, Ed.D., as she explores her role as a sustainability ambassador. Tune in to find out how your daily actions can significantly impact the environment and help create a sustainable future.

Urban Impact is recorded and produced at Kean, New Jersey’s urban research university. The podcast is now available on all major podcast platforms and at kean.edu/urban-impact.

Join Eitan Hiller in the spotlight. He's a talented senior at Kean University's Theatre Conservatory who performs nationally with the Jewish the cappella group Six13. See how harmonizing his musical skills with his heritage fulfills a lifelong dream.

Kean University is committed to transforming environmental science through green chemistry. The initiative uses tie-dyed lab coats to remind students and faculty to explore more eco-friendly chemicals for lab experiments and adopt sustainable practices to minimize pollution and waste.

Kean University is commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the China Ministry of Education’s official establishment of Wenzhou-Kean University (WKU), underscoring a significant milestone in the growth of WKU and its foundational role in fostering cross-cultural academic exchanges.

This pivotal anniversary marks over a decade since WKU began serving students from across the world with an American-style, English-language education in the Zhejiang province of China, reflecting Kean University's commitment to expanding global educational opportunities for all.

Last week, a New Jersey delegation led by Kean visited China and met with key government, business and education leaders to reinforce the University’s dedication to the innovative higher education partnership it has nurtured with WKU. 

"Kean University, New Jersey's urban research university, is driven by the moral imperative to demonstrate the power of cooperation and collaboration to transcend boundaries and enrich lives," said President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. "Since the WKU campus opened, students from Kean USA and WKU have expanded their personal and professional horizons through our exchange programs. These opportunities not only bridge geographical distances but also foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of global interconnectivity. As we continue to strengthen these ties, we look forward to welcoming many more students in the coming years, further enriching their lives and the communities they touch."

Frank Wang, chairman of the WKU Board of Directors, said WKU has grown to serve almost 4,500 current students and 3,400 alumni from China, across Asia, and around the world, significantly contributing to the local community and beyond.

"Wenzhou-Kean University educates future leaders and also serves as a vital anchor institution in Wenzhou, much like Kean USA’s role in New Jersey,” Wang said. “WKU has embedded itself as an integral part of Wenzhou, contributing to progress and innovation in various sectors, including education, urban planning and globalization.”

The visit included a celebration of the recent accreditation of Kean’s College of Business and Public Management from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); the annual Student Research Days; the official establishment of the WKU College of Education; and the inauguration of the new College of Science, Mathematics and Technology building. 

Wesley Mathews, president and CEO of Choose New Jersey, which is committed to attracting business to New Jersey, joined the delegation. 

"Meeting with higher education and business leaders in China provided us with valuable insights that could greatly benefit businesses in both of our countries," Mathews said. "These interactions and continued conversations are pivotal as we position New Jersey for future growth in key sectors."

The visit also included the STEAM conference sponsored by WKU and the Zhejiang Ministry of Education, where New Jersey K-12 educators exchanged ideas on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics, as well as artificial intelligence education, with their Chinese counterparts. 

New Jersey Assemblywoman Linda Carter, chair of the higher education committee who also spoke at the conference, said it exemplifies the collaborative efforts to empower the next generation of global innovators.

"This STEAM conference is a cornerstone for future educational frameworks, promoting critical and creative thinking that drives innovation,"  Carter said. "By integrating STEAM into our curriculum, we are not only enhancing the educational experiences of our students but also equipping them with the skills necessary to tackle the complex challenges of the future.” 

Sancha K. Gray, Ed.D., interim dean of the College of Education at WKU, said the conference had a dual purpose.

"By bringing together expertise from both countries, we are sharing knowledge and also inspiring students and educators to explore new dimensions in education,” Gray said. “This exchange of knowledge and cultural perspectives fosters a rich learning environment where students can develop unique insights and solutions, benefiting the United States and China."

In celebration of this anniversary, Kean University announced an expansion of its WKU/Kean USA scholarship program. The new Presidential scholarship will cover tuition for selected applicants, encouraging even greater participation in the exchange programs. Additional benefits for Kean USA students joining the WKU program include free flights, comprehensive travel within China, potential paid positions on the WKU campus, and stipends valued at over $1,300 for students maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

"We are committed to making these life-changing opportunities accessible to all students, removing financial barriers and enhancing the educational benefits of global experience," said Felice Vazquez, senior vice president and special counsel to President Repollet.

Kean University remains dedicated to enriching its global partnerships and providing transformative educational experiences that prepare students for successful careers and meaningful lives.

"We are setting the stage for a future where our graduates are well-equipped to navigate and lead in a globally interconnected world," said Cary Anderson, executive vice chancellor at WKU. “We prepare students to be citizens of the world, ready to leverage their knowledge and skill sets to create a better world.”