Advisory Team Spotlight
SADI/OIE Advisory Team
Led by Neva Lozada, Vice President of Administration at Kean University, and Ruth Ortiz, Accreditation Liaison Officer to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education at NJCU
The SADI/OIE Advisory Team is responsible for coordinating and aligning institutional research, accreditation, assessment, data systems and compliance functions between Kean University’s Division of Strategic Analytics and Data Illumination (SADI) and NJCU’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness (OIE). The team’s purpose is to develop shared processes, ensure consistent accreditation and compliance practices, advance data transparency, and lay the foundation for unified systems and external reporting structures across both institutions.
To date, the team has built a shared understanding of roles, processes and accreditation requirements while advancing the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Complex Substantive Change process for both universities. They have also coordinated submissions to specialized accreditors, achieved early data-sharing milestones and developed secure cross-institutional access protocols in partnership with IT teams.
Current priorities include strengthening shared systems, expanding data visibility and supporting accreditation needs through continued joint training, dashboard access and shared reporting tools like PeopleSoft and Cognos. The team is also finalizing permissions and procedures that will streamline cross-institutional data management and compliance reporting.
Through this collaboration, the team has emphasized the importance of training, documentation and joint interpretation of accreditation standards in successful integration. Their work to build a shared data infrastructure will have a lasting impact by laying the foundation for a unified, data-driven and transparent accreditation and analytics framework for the integrated institution.
University Relations and Alumni Affairs
Led by Karen Smith, Senior Vice President for University Relations and Alumni Affairs at Kean, and Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications and Marketing at NJCU
The University Relations and Alumni Affairs Advisory Team is leading communication, marketing and alumni engagement efforts as Kean and NJCU prepare to merge and form Kean Jersey City. Over the summer, the team held a series of collaborative meetings to develop a comprehensive understanding of both institutions’ operations. These sessions explored core areas, including branding, public relations, web services, student and employee communications, alumni engagement and theatre management. This foundation has guided the creation of joint communications, including this newsletter and recent press releases. It is also helping us to position Kean as a model for higher education mergers nationally.
Looking ahead, the team’s immediate priority is launching the “Kean Jersey City is Coming” branding campaign in January 2026. This campaign will build momentum on campus and across Hudson County ahead of the full merger, expected in Summer 2026. Preparations for campus signage and branding are already underway. Importantly, the team has found that the institutions share similar student and community demographics. This insight enables the creation of shared messaging rooted in Kean’s core values of inclusivity, equity and public impact. Overall, our goal is to deliver transparent, timely and thorough communication about the merger to our audiences throughout the merger process and beyond to help Kean Jersey City thrive.
Student Success
Led by Katherine Gallagher, Senior Vice President for Student Success at Kean and Pia Stevens Haynes, Ed.D., Acting Vice President of Student Development and Community Engagement and Dean of Students at NJCU
The Student Success Advisory Team is coordinating key student-facing services to ensure a seamless experience for all students during the Kean–NJCU integration. The team oversees areas focused on financial aid, scholarships, advising, persistence, intervention and support, EOF and veteran services.
The team has completed landscape analyses and advanced planning to align systems, anticipate challenges, and maintain continuity across both campuses. Current priorities include preparing for Fall 2026 enrollment and registration and ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements as programs such as veterans services and financial aid come together. The team is also reviewing program-specific requirements to ensure the continuous delivery of student support.
The team’s collaborative work reflects a shared passion for student success, and efforts like onboarding NJCU students, faculty and staff into Navigate360, Kean's Student Success Management System, will have an immediate impact. Beyond that, the team has leveraged this opportunity to think deeply about how to improve service delivery for all students. Engaging in this process has created a critical inflection point, prompting both universities to consider how they can leverage their collective strength to raise the bar for student support. This team collaboration is serving as a pivotal moment to enhance service delivery and elevate the overall student experience across both campuses.
Enrollment Management
Led by La Toro Yates, Ph.D., Vice President for Enrollment Services at Kean and Jose Balda, Assistant Vice President for University Admissions at NJCU
The Enrollment Management advisory team brings together admissions, recruitment, financial aid and enrollment services from Kean and NJCU with a clear goal: to create a single, seamless process for students and their families. By aligning policies and systems, the team is building a framework that ensures everyone experiences clarity and fairness at every step, while laying the foundation for Kean Jersey City to serve Hudson County and beyond.
In just a few months, the team has compared admissions processes across both institutions, begun creating consistency in transfer credit policies and drafted a plan for unified data reporting. The group has also launched shared forecasting work, analyzing enrollment trends over the past five years to guide decision-making. These early milestones are helping the team stay on pace to meet regulatory deadlines while keeping students at the center of their planning.
Looking ahead, the group is focused on finalizing common recruitment and admissions policies, strengthening transfer pathways from high-volume community college partners and preparing data systems to ensure consistent, accurate communication with applicants. This work will result in predictable, transparent enrollment practices that make it easier for students to navigate their path to Kean, no matter which campus door they enter.
Culture of Care
Led by Erika Charles, Vice President of Wellness and Chief Wellbeing Officer at Kean, Itunu Balogun, Vice President of Innovation and Engagement and Deputy Chief of Staff at Kean and Pia Stevens-Haynes, Ed.D., Acting Vice President of Student Development and Community Engagement at NJCU
The Culture of Care advisory team is designed to create a vibrant, equitable and inclusive environment where all members of the community on both campuses feel supported and empowered to thrive. This work promotes student success, encourages engagement and ensures that every voice is heard throughout the integration process and beyond.
The team quickly established strong working relationships through strategic planning, information sharing and participation in campus events. Notable collaborations include partnering with the University Relations advisory team to develop and share the Kean-NJCU Merger Survey, as well as supporting student events such as Green and Gold Day, Kean Day and the HBCU game at MetLife Stadium.
Looking ahead, the team is planning town halls on both campuses to give students, faculty, staff and community members opportunities to engage directly with leadership. The NJCU Town Hall is scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 2 p.m., with details for the Kean event forthcoming. By creating these touchpoints and opportunities for feedback, the Culture of Care advisory team is helping to build lasting connections that will strengthen the community across both campuses.
Academic Affairs
September 4, 2025
Led by David Birdsell, Ph.D., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Kean University, and Donna Adair, Ph.D., Interim Provost and Senior Vice President at NJCU
The Academic Affairs Advisory Team works to align programs, policies and practices across Kean and NJCU to build a unified academic foundation for the integrated institution. The team is reviewing every degree program to identify the strongest offerings for students. Kean has commissioned Hanover Research to assess the attractiveness of degree programs at both universities. The team will begin diving into that data next month.
The advisory team is also looking at how the two institutions nurture faculty from recruitment through tenure and promotion to facilitate the creation of fair and consistent standards across both campuses. This work has already produced comprehensive inventories of syllabi, faculty CVs and academic policies from both universities.
Through this process, advisory team members have gained an appreciation for the complexity of bringing together two institutions with different Carnegie classifications, while recognizing shared commitments to first-generation students and to serving as anchor institutions. The team is looking forward to designing an academic portfolio that strengthens the combined institution and supports student success well into the future.
Student Affairs
September 4, 2025
Led by Kerrin Lyles, Vice President for Student Affairs at Kean University, and Pia Stevens-Haynes, Ed.D., Acting Vice President of Student Development and Community Engagement at NJCU
The Student Affairs Advisory Team is aligning programs, services and experiences that shape campus life to ensure students feel connected, supported and able to thrive during the Kean–NJCU integration. The team is examining student-facing resources at both institutions, including clubs, organizations, facilities and support services, to minimize disruptions and foster a seamless campus experience.
The advisory team conducted a meet-and-greet and campus visits that built trust, introduced colleagues and provided firsthand insight into how the institutions welcome and support students. The Kean team also visited New Student Orientation at NJCU. Building on that foundation, the advisory team is now developing joint civic engagement projects, leadership retreats and community conversations, along with a shared programming calendar to connect students across both campuses.
The team finds that Kean and NJCU closely mirror one another in their student support and services, which strengthens collaboration and unity. As the integration progresses, this spirit of cooperation will ensure that students remain at the center of this transition.