Kean Ocean’s Sophia Sacewicz Named 2025 Kean Valedictorian
Sophia Sacewicz chose to stay close to home for college because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but she made the most of every opportunity at Kean Ocean – ultimately earning the honor of being Kean University's 2025 Valedictorian.
Sacewicz, of Toms River, delivered the Valedictory Address to thousands of classmates, guests and faculty at Kean Commencement on May 13. She graduated summa cum laude in January with a Bachelor of Arts in communication - public relations.
“There aren’t enough words to accurately describe the emotions I feel about being named valedictorian. It is truly an honor; there is something so nostalgic, yet exciting about the title,” Sacewicz said. “It feels like a stamp of approval on not only my college education, but my entire education from elementary to high school and everything in between.”
After graduating from Toms River East High School in 2020, Sacewicz enrolled at Ocean County College due to the pandemic. She earned her associate degree in liberal arts, then took a semester off “to really figure out what I wanted to do.”
She explored colleges both in and out of New Jersey, then ultimately chose Kean Ocean because it was close to home, financially feasible and offered a program that matched her interests.
At Kean Ocean, she relished the small, close-knit community of the campus in Toms River and the internships she secured with an event-planning company and the Lesniak Institute on Kean’s main campus.
Sacewicz was selected for Kean’s collaborative sports marketing and communication courses with both the New York Jets and New Jersey Devils. In these programs, students worked directly with team executives, collaborating across disciplines, including communication, marketing, finance, and graphic design, to achieve specific objectives. As part of the experience, students visited the teams’ stadiums and presented directly to team executives.
“I got to see what it would be like to work for a sports team professionally and make important connections within the industry. Both classes were incredibly rewarding,” she said.
Kean Ocean Dean Jessica B. Adams, Ph.D., said Sacewicz is a hard-working, dedicated student and representative of Kean Ocean.
"She is an amazing role model to which all Kean University students can aspire towards regardless of location," she said.
Courtney Atkins, coordinator of the Department of Communication, Media and Journalism at Kean Ocean and a lecturer who teaches at both campuses, said Sacewicz’s motivation and interest in seeking experiential learning opportunities stood out. Atkins described her as a collaborative and creative student, who took extra classes and was “not afraid to step outside the classroom zone.”
“As an advisor, I smile to look over her transcript. It will be fun to see where she ends up,” Atkins said.
After graduation, Sacewicz will pursue a lifelong dream of working in entertainment. In August, she begins a six-month internship with The Walt Disney Company in Orlando.
She also “hasn’t closed the door” on the idea of a career in sports management.
“I’m a believer in following your dreams and that you cannot always plan for everything,” she said. “I hope to gain further insight, continue making meaningful connections and see what future opportunities await.”