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Impending Winter Storm

Due to the impending storm, all classes and activities at Kean’s main campus in Union, Kean Ocean and Kean Skylands will operate remotely on Sunday, January 25, and Monday, January 26. 

The University will observe a Winter Wellness Day on Tuesday, January 27, following the storm. Classes and activities will not run, and employees are not expected to work. 

Due to ongoing power problems at the Kean Ocean Gateway Building, all classes and activities at Kean Ocean will also be conducted remotely on Friday, January 23, and Saturday, January 24. This only applies to Kean Ocean. 

Only essential personnel should report to work as scheduled during the remote period or on Tuesday. Employees with questions about their status should consult their supervisor. 

Keanu’s Kitchen will remain open for residential students on the Union campus from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday. 

All vehicles parked on the Union campus must be relocated to the Vaughn-Eames overnight parking lot by 6 p.m. on Saturday to allow for storm cleanup. Vehicles parked elsewhere on campus are subject to relocation. 

Kean University Recognizes New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy

Jan 21, 2026
Student working on a laptop

Kean formally recognizes the New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy, allowing eligible students to earn up to nine college credits

Kean University continues to expand access and opportunity in higher education by formally recognizing the New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy, allowing eligible students to earn up to nine college credits for demonstrated proficiency in at least one language other than English. 

“Multilingual proficiency is a critical asset in today’s global society and workforce,” said Joseph Youngblood II, Ph.D., chancellor of Kean Global, Kean Ocean and strategic global initiatives. “By recognizing the New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy, Kean is further expanding its growing capacity to provide students with credit for prior learning, allowing them to get a jumpstart on their college careers and save themselves both significant time and money as they work toward their undergraduate degree.” 

Established by the New Jersey Department of Education in 2016, the New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy recognizes high school graduates who have studied and attained proficiency in at least one language in addition to English. Since its inception, more than 62,000 students statewide have earned the designation. The State Seal of Biliteracy appears on a student’s high school transcript, providing colleges and employers with a clear indicator of multilingual proficiency and a commitment to the study of languages and cultures. 

“This student-first policy recognizes the incredible value of language proficiency while also helping qualified students accelerate their path to a Kean degree,” said Jay O’Callaghan, vice president for transformational learning and chief online officer at Kean University. 

Students who submit the official NJDOE-issued certificate may receive between six and nine credits based on nationally recognized language assessments. The credits are recorded as pass/fail and do not impact GPA or residency requirements. 

“Kean Global is pleased to recognize this important credential, one of several new credentials that utilize our expanding capacity to award credit for prior learning at Kean,” said Mukul Acharya, Ed.D., assistant vice president for transformational learning at Kean University. “Many students come to us having already accomplished meaningful educational goals outside of a traditional college setting. Recognizing the State Seal of Biliteracy allows us to honor that learning while accelerating their path towards a degree.” 

Acharya emphasized that this recognition supports Kean’s commitment to equity and innovation. 

“This opens doors for students from multilingual backgrounds, many of whom come from all over the world,” he said. 

The initiative is retroactive, allowing current Kean students who previously qualified to submit their credentials for evaluation. This creates new opportunities for students to save time and tuition while progressing toward graduation. 

“We don’t believe students should have to repeat what they have already mastered,” Acharya added. “Whether they earned credentials in high school or through career training, we want to recognize that learning. In doing so, we’re helping students finish their degrees faster.”