Kean Scholar Academy Celebrates First Graduating Class

Kean University is celebrating a milestone in higher education access with the graduation of the first cohort of the Kean Scholar Academy (KSA), a groundbreaking pre-college program for students from underserved communities. 

This month, 29 high school seniors will graduate from KSA, completing a four-year academic journey that blended their high school experience with rigorous college coursework on Kean’s campus. 

Sixteen of these students have chosen to continue their academic path at Kean this fall. KSA graduates will enter college with an average of 40-42 college credits already earned — the equivalent of nearly three semesters – and an average GPA of 3.25.  

“This graduating class represents the heart of Kean University,” said Kean President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. “These students are trailblazers who embraced opportunities to challenge themselves and grow. KSA reflects our commitment to educational equity, public impact and social mobility — empowering students to reimagine their futures and thrive.” 

KSA was designed to support academically motivated students from underrepresented school districts across New Jersey. Students were nominated by their districts and entered the Academy as freshmen in high school. Over four years, they attended college classes twice a week on campus, participated in tutoring and mentoring sessions, and immersed themselves in college life — from football games and art exhibits to theater performances and leadership workshops. 

KSA student Mark Shehata of Elizabeth will back at Kean this Fall, and ultimately plans to go to law school.  

“I decided to stay at Kean because the program provided so much for me, and this allows me to maintain all my credits,” he said. “The best thing I gained was the experience.” 

The success of the KSA program is shown in both the students’ academic performance and personal growth. 

Sabrina Montanez, of Carteret, said she always wanted to start college early and “get as ahead as possible.” She will major in accounting at Kean in the Fall. 

“Attending college classes throughout high school was a huge adjustment, but I wouldn't change it for the world,” she said. “It was stressful at times, but overall, it taught me to push my boundaries, and that hard work will always lead to success.” 

Sherry and Sharon Chen of Maplewood, who are headed to Johns Hopkins University and the University of Pennsylvania respectively, emphasized how the program helped them stand out during the college admissions process and inspired their career aspirations in medicine and criminology. 

Sharon added that KSA professors were engaging and knowledgeable. “I met so many people at KSA who inspired me to pursue my interest in law and criminology,” Sharon Chen said. 

Jason Lester, special assistant to the president and executive director of KSA, said the University launched the program in 2021 to help students from underserved communities access college and fully experience it. 

“We wanted to really get them acclimated to college life,” he said. “There are certain things you can’t replicate any other way: the social aspect, the freedom of being in college, learning to advocate for themselves.”