Future Chemistry Teacher Fulfills a Dream at Kean University

When Ryen Hagg visited Kean University as a prospective freshman, she recalls seeing billboard-sized photos of students on campus buildings and thinking, “That’s going to be me someday!”

Four years later, Hagg, who will graduate summa cum laude in May with her bachelor’s degree in science and technology/chemistry, is a student ambassador, a New Jersey Governor’s STEM Scholar, and, as she predicted, her picture is on a billboard on the side of Hutchinson Hall.

“To live out my high school dream now, four years later, is still pretty crazy to think about,” said Hagg, of Piscataway, who will continue at Kean to earn her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. She plans to become a chemistry teacher.

“I’m so blessed to be where I am today. I could not have done it without the support of my family, specifically my parents, encouraging me to be the best version of myself and always ‘climb higher,’” she said.

Hagg fell in love with the Kean campus at Undergraduate Open House. “I knew this was where I was supposed to be,” she said.

She received a William Livingston scholarship, Kean’s top academic award for freshmen. When she arrived at Kean, she jumped into life on campus and became a student ambassador in the Office of Admissions.

Hagg started at Kean as a bilingual education major. After doing well on her math placement exam, however, her advisor suggested she switch to math education. Midway through freshman year she fell in love with chemistry and ultimately switched her major to chemistry.

She will ultimately have enough credits to teach math or chemistry, and she also utilizes bilingual skills. “I got the best of all three worlds,” she said.

Hagg conducted research and presented at Kean Research Days. She was also selected as a Governor’s STEM Scholar, supervising high school students researching the effect of sleep on student academics.

“I really enjoyed working with my high school students and hearing stories from our sleep study participants about how sleep affects their academic performance,” she said. “The program expanded upon my leadership, research, and instructional skills, and I will definitely take this experience of mentoring high school scholars and apply it to my future teaching.”

Brian Baldwin, Ed.D., an assistant professor of science education in the School of Integrative Science and Technology (IST), taught Hagg in class and worked with her on research projects. 

He said her research contributions and leadership with the Governor’s STEM Scholars program, were “invaluable,” and in class she “consistently demonstrated her exceptional preparedness and insightful contributions.”

“Ryen's work ethic and dedication to her studies are a testament to her commitment to becoming an outstanding high school science teacher,” Baldwin said. “I have no doubt she will continue to excel in her studies and her future career. I believe she will be a valuable asset to any school she works in, inspiring students to learn and explore the wonders of science.”

Hagg said her work as student ambassador – including serving as an escort for Keanu, the Kean Cougar mascot  – offered many lasting experiences. She rose to become lead ambassador for hiring, training and mentoring.

“I have given more tours than I can count. I have also accompanied Keanu multiple times,” she said. “One of my favorite experiences was when I gave a tour to a prospective transfer student and her family. She was so excited to get involved at Kean; I let her know I was the lead ambassador for hiring and, if she was interested, she could apply.

“Two semesters later, she became my coworker,” Hagg recalled. “It was really great seeing our interaction come full circle.”