2026 Presidential Announcements

Friday, January 30, 2026 - La Pica Project 

Friday, January 23, 2026 - Kean’s integral role in shaping New Jersey’s future

Friday, January 19, 2026 -  Kean University and New Jersey City University (NJCU) Merger

Dear Kean Community, 

This week, I had the honor of traveling to Puerto Rico with Kean leaders, New Jersey City University President Andrés Acebo, and other NJCU colleagues to participate in a truly meaningful initiative. We visited Jayuya to sign a Memorandum of Understanding in support of the La Pica Project, a community-led initiative that is transforming a former youth correctional facility into a center for education, innovation and opportunity. This project represents the very best of what public higher education can do. It is about creating pathways for youth, individuals with disabilities, and others too often left out of the new economy. And it is about building systems of support, dignity and possibility from the ground up.

At Kean, where and how we choose to show up reflects who we are. This partnership, coordinated through our Center for Raising Excellence and Cultural Empowerment (CRECE), shows that we do not just show up; we stay. Our commitment is long-term, rooted in collaboration, humility and mutual respect. We are not coming with answers. We are coming to listen, learn and work alongside our partners to build something that lasts. Kean’s work on the La Pica Project will provide opportunities for our faculty and students to contribute in the years ahead through teaching, research and service. My thanks to Senior Vice President for Administration Carlos Rodriguez, Ed.D., and Chief Government Affairs Officer Kellie LeDet for their work coordinating this important delegation.

 
The Kean delegation also met with charter school leaders and students in San Juan, and I held a strategic meeting with Zayira Jordán Conde, Ph.D., president of the University of Puerto Rico. I also met with Thomas Rivera Schatz, president of the Senate of Puerto Rico; Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Núñez, speaker of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico; and AFT Vice President Víctor Manuel Bonilla Sánchez, to discuss the project. These conversations reflected our shared belief that education policy is economic policy, and that expanding access and opportunity is critical to community well-being. 

This trip reminded me of the genuine human connection so many in our Kean family have to Puerto Rico. Many of our students, staff and leaders have personal or family ties to the island. Our presence here is about honoring those connections in a way that is respectful, authentic and aligned with our values. Kean is New Jersey’s first urban research university, but our work does not stop at our state borders. Whether in Jayuya, Union, Jersey City or Wenzhou, we are anchoring down around the world and building partnerships that expand equity, access and impact. 

I hope you all used your wellness day to recharge earlier this week. I thank our ABM, DLS and Kean employees who worked so diligently to clear pathways, plow parking lots and make sure the campus was safe for our community to return following the storm. Your work is genuinely appreciated.

Students, whether you have been here for years or just joined us this semester, I encourage you to find your place in this community. The Spring 2026 Involvement Fair is happening this Monday, February 2 from 3-5 p.m. at the Miron Student Center. It’s your chance to connect, lead and grow. Find a way to get involved because here at Kean, Cougars climb higher together. 

Sincerely, 


 

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. 

President 

Dear Kean Community, 

This week, I had the distinct honor of attending the inauguration of New Jersey’s new governor, Mikie Sherrill. It was an inspiring moment for our state, and I was proud to represent Kean University at such a significant event. Being present and engaged at milestones like this reinforces Kean’s integral role in shaping New Jersey’s future. 

Throughout the day, the energy around Kean was unmistakable. The pending merger with New Jersey City University is on the minds of leaders across the state, and our leadership in this effort signals an exciting period of growth and transformation. As we enter this new era for both New Jersey and our university, we look forward to working closely with the Sherrill administration to expand access and opportunity for students statewide. 

Yesterday, we announced that Tuesday will be a Winter Wellness Day for the entire campus community. I know many of you are keeping an eye on the snow forecast for the weekend, but this day is about more than the weather. It is a reminder that we all need time to pause, take care of ourselves and reset. Whether or not snow blankets our neighborhoods, I encourage you to make the most of this opportunity to connect with your family and friends, get some rest and take a moment to reflect on your intentions for the Spring semester. 

Even in the cold, our campus is alive with energy and activity. The Miron Student Center, Residence Life and the Office of Student Government hosted a festive Winter Carnival to welcome students back to campus. From Kurly Kurtosh and Matcha to interactive tables hosted by Involvement, Service and Cougar’s Byte, the event set a warm tone for the semester. Kean PULSE kept the momentum going with roller skating, vinyl records and cotton candy at Disco Fever in Downs Hall. Thank you to all the student leaders, staff and departments who made these events possible. Your dedication to building an inclusive and engaging campus culture is what makes Kean such a special place to learn and grow. 

Before the snow arrives, I hope you will cheer on our men’s and women’s basketball teams tomorrow as they take on The College of New Jersey in a doubleheader. Let’s fill the stands, show our Cougar pride and start the weekend strong. Stay safe and warm. 

Sincerely, 

 

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. 

President 

Dear Kean Community, 

Welcome back. It’s always exciting to begin a new semester, but this week feels especially meaningful as we celebrate a historic moment in Kean University’s journey. 

This week, Governor Phil Murphy signed into law the legislation advancing the merger between Kean University and New Jersey City University (NJCU). While we have already shared this news publicly, I want to take a moment to reflect on what a powerful start to the semester this is, and what it represents for the future of public higher education in New Jersey. 

This milestone reflects the vision, hard work and collaboration of many individuals across both institutions. I extend my deepest thanks to the dedicated leaders who helped bring us to this moment: Chief of Staff Audrey Kelly; Executive Vice President for Academic and Administrative Operations Michael Salvatore, Ph.D.; Senior Vice President and Chief University Counsel Kristin Ganley, J.D.; and Vice President for Labor Relations Zahire Estrella-Chambers, Esq. I also thank NJCU President Andrés Acebo, J.D., and the transition teams at both Kean and NJCU for their exceptional leadership throughout this process. 

We are especially grateful to Senate President Nicholas Scutari ’89, Assemblywoman Linda Carter and all the lawmakers who championed this transformative legislation. This merger will reshape New Jersey’s higher education landscape for generations to come. Of course, the work will continue. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is now reviewing the merger, and we anticipate a site visit this spring. We remain on track to officially close the merger by July 1, 2026. 

We are already seeing this partnership come to life. Over winter break, students from NJCU joined their peers from Kean’s main campus, Kean Ocean and Wenzhou-Kean University on a Travelearn experience in the United Arab Emirates. These immersive global programs help our students grow academically and personally through firsthand cultural exploration. I had the opportunity to join our group of 20 students and their chaperones at points during their time in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. I was truly inspired by how quickly they built connections, with each other and the world around them.  

Thanks to Vice President of Innovation and Engagement and Deputy Chief of Staff Itunu Balogun and Associate Vice President and Chief Librarian at the Nancy Thompson Learning Commons Muhammad Hassan, Ed.D., for their leadership in organizing this impactful Travelearn. During the trip, several students also joined me for a visit to GEMS Modern Academy in Dubai, where Kean signed an exciting new partnership to offer graduate programs and professional credentials. With this agreement, our global pawprint continues to expand.  

And we are just getting started. Seven Travelearn trips are already full for spring break, and eight more are planned for later this year. I encourage all students to reach out to the Center for International Studies to learn how they can take part in one of these life-changing programs. 

As we head into the long weekend, I encourage you to take time to rest, recharge and reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His teachings continue to guide us as we strive to build a more just, inclusive and service-minded society. I invite you to join the Faith-Based Institute of Public Policy for Honor the Dream. Serve the People. This is a day of action, service and community impact celebrating Dr. King’s life and values. 

Let’s carry this momentum forward for the rest of the semester. 

Sincerely, 

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
President