Student Retention & Educational Innovation
Welcome to the Office for Student Retention and Educational Innovation! Our office provides several pathways to assist students with persistence and retention.
Our Mission
The mission of the Office for Student Retention & Educational Innovation is based on the premise that all students should have a full, positive, and well-textured collegiate experience; however, that experience should also include preparation for what is to come after graduating, whether that be further education or a career or both.
Students should be supported academically, and obstacles or impediments that cause a lack of academic focus should be addressed. Programming and support will be given towards persistence, retention, and timely graduation. Moreover, and more specifically, the office aims to support and develop student programming that enriches experiences, builds cohesion and a sense of belonging to the University, and fosters warm relationships with peers, faculty members, and staff.
We will strive to find student successes in and out of the classroom and collaborate with others on and off campus to do so. We will celebrate student successes throughout the process and highlight achievements, development, and growth.
A Message from the Assistant Vice President for Student Retention & Dean of Students
Dear Students,
The Office of Student Retention & Educational Innovation would like to welcome all new and returning Kean Cougars back as we approach a new academic year. Let this year be filled with academic and personal growth and success. Our faculty and staff stand committed to helping provide you with any resources and tools you may need as you pursue your education. If you are a current Kean student, please view the Campus Resources tab. If I can be of assistance, please find me in the Office of Student Retention & Educational Innovation (CAS Rm. 123) or email retain@kean.edu.
Marvin Adames, Esq.
Assistant Vice President for Student Retention
& Dean of Students
Women in Leadership Panel
In March of 2023, our office celebrated women leaders from across our campus and community in honor of March being National Women's Month.
We were joined by Katherine Gallagher, Senior Vice President for Student Success and Special Council to the President; Dr. Sancha Gray, Senior Vice President for EEI; Dr. Stephanie Baker, Executive Director for CAPS; Ms. Sara Pena, Director for External Affairs, PSE&G and Dr. Tamika Quick.
Cougar Pop-Up Shop
Ensuring that Kean Scholars have a professional wardrobe, they need to be able to attend academic workshops, job interviews, and internships comfortably.
National First Gen Day
Since 2021, Kean has been designated as a First-Gen Forward Institution, joining hundreds of institutions to commit to first-generation student success.
Find out more about our First Generation college student programming HERE:
Halfway to Graduation
Each year, the Division of Student Success & Retention celebrates our second-year students moving into their third year at Kean University with our Halfway to Graduation Celebration! Find out more about our Halfway to Graduation 2024 celebration.
Reinstatement After Academic Dismissal
Students who have been academically dismissed are ineligible for readmission, despite the length of time after the dismissal. The only way for a student to return to Kean University after dismissal is through the Appeals Process. Appeals from dismissed students are reviewed by the Academic Standards Committee (ASC) which is composed of representatives from the faculty and administration of the University. The recommendations of this committee are advisory to the dean who makes the ultimate decision. The college representative reviews all committee recommendations with the appropriate college dean. Decisions on academic appeals by the college dean are final. This decision will take one of three forms: reinstatement to good academic standing (for students who have an update made to their record returning them to this status), reinstatement to probationary status, or denial of the appeal.
Contact the Office of Student Retention and Educational Innovation (CAS 123, retain@kean.edu; 908-737-0510) for more information on the appeals process and the appropriate deadlines.
Students who have been dismissed may not take courses at Kean University under any circumstances unless they have been officially reinstated by a college dean. Reinstatement to the University does not imply or constitute reinstatement to a particular academic program within the University (unless there is a specific provision to that effect in the reinstatement letter from the college dean). Upon reinstatement, the student will be subject to current University curriculum requirements unless otherwise indicated. Students who have been away from the University for more than two years may also want to subsequently pursue Academic Amnesty, which can impact the committee deliberations (Academic Amnesty Policy).
