Presidential Excellence Awards for Faculty, Staff and Students

President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., is pleased to announce that nominations for the 2026 Presidential Excellence Awards for Kean University's faculty, staff, and students are now open. As the University's highest institutional recognition, the Presidential Excellence Awards recognize outstanding achievement while celebrating the individuals whose work advances Kean University's mission and strengthens the University community.

As One Kean University, the Presidential Excellence Awards are open to eligible faculty, staff, and students across the Kean University system. The awards continue to recognize excellence in teaching, scholarship, research, service, leadership, and student success while reflecting Kean University's commitment to its core values and strategic priorities.

The Presidential Excellence Awards are intended to inspire and recognize individuals whose contributions exemplify the highest standards of professional excellence, innovation, integrity, and service, enhancing Kean University's reputation as a national leader in higher education.

Alignment with Kean University's Core Values

The Presidential Excellence Awards recognize individuals whose accomplishments reflect Kean University's core values of academic excellence, equity, inclusivity, wellness, social mobility, and public impact. These values serve as guiding principles throughout the nomination and evaluation process and recognize faculty, staff, and students whose contributions strengthen the University community, advance student success, foster innovation, and positively impact the communities Kean University serves.

Eligibility

The Presidential Excellence Awards are open to eligible faculty, staff, and students enrolled or employed at Kean University across all campuses in the United States. Applicants must satisfy all eligibility requirements established within their respective award categories.

Faculty and staff nominees must have completed at least two (2) consecutive years of employment immediately preceding the nomination deadline.

Employees whose continuous service began at New Jersey City University (NJCU) prior to its integration with Kean University may count their continuous years of service at NJCU toward this requirement. Such employees must have completed at least two (2) consecutive years of employment at NJCU immediately prior to the integration, and continuous service at NJCU and Kean University may be combined to satisfy the minimum employment requirement, provided there has been no break in service resulting from the institutional integration.

Student nominees must satisfy all eligibility requirements established for their respective award categories at the time of nomination.

Recipients of a Presidential Excellence Award are not eligible to receive another Presidential Excellence Award in any category for five (5) years following receipt of the award.

Nominations

Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff, students, alumni, or members of the University community. Self-nominations are also encouraged.

Each nomination should clearly describe the nominee's accomplishments and demonstrate how those contributions have positively impacted students, colleagues, the University, or the broader community. Supporting documentation should be included to strengthen the nomination.

The Presidential Excellence Awards recognize individuals whose accomplishments reflect Kean University's core values and demonstrate sustained excellence in their respective areas.

Selection Committee

The Presidential Excellence Awards Selection Committee shall include representatives from across Kean University to ensure a comprehensive and equitable review of all nominations. Beginning with the 2026 awards cycle, the committee will include representation from all Kean University campuses, ensuring that all campuses are represented throughout the review process while maintaining a single University-wide selection committee. Committee members will continue to evaluate nominations using the established award criteria and evaluation rubric.

All awards will be presented at a celebratory event for award recipients and retirees on Thursday, October 28, 2026. Each honoree will be invited to bring a guest with them.

Applications

Faculty and staff nominations should be made by completing the nomination form found here: Presidential Excellence Awards: Faculty/Staff Nominations by Friday, September 25, 2026. Please note that self-nominations are welcome.

The Kean University Foundation will award a $1,000 check to each selected employee in recognition of outstanding achievement in the areas of teaching, scholarship/research and service in alignment with the core values of academic excellence, equity, inclusivity, wellness, social mobility and public impact.

Student nominations should be made by completing the form found here: Presidential Excellence Awards: Student Nominations by Friday, September 25, 2026. Additional documentation is also required from the nominee by Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Please note that self-nominations are welcome.

The Kean University Foundation will award a $750 check to each selected student in recognition of outstanding achievement in the areas of leadership and service in alignment with the core values of academic excellence, equity, inclusivity, wellness, social mobility and public impact. 

Supporting Documentation

Following the initial nomination, each nominee will be reviewed to confirm that they meet all eligibility requirements for the specific award category for which they were nominated. Nominees who meet all requirements will receive a separate form to submit the required additional documentation. All additional documentation must be submitted by Wednesday, October 7, 2026.

Awards

Excellence Awards (Faculty- Tenured, Tenure Track, Adjunct and Lecturers)

• In Teaching (2 Awards: 1 Tenured Faculty, 1 non-tenured)
• Dr. Stephen Kubow Presidential Excellence Award for Service (2 Awards)
• In Research/Scholarship/Creative Work (2 Awards: 1 Tenured Faculty, 1 non-tenured)

In Teaching (2 Awards): Two awards will be made in recognition of one tenured and one untenured faculty member with at least two years of continuous service, whose outstanding teaching has made a positive impact on the quality of instruction and student life at the University.

Supporting Documentation from the nominee:

1. A letter of application containing a statement of the candidate’s teaching philosophy and the way in which this philosophy is implemented in the classroom. The letter should specify the courses taught and indicate how the candidate’s approach to teaching has stimulated and enhanced student learning at Kean University. 
2. Candidates may also describe innovative approaches in instruction or in the teaching-learning process.
3. A full set of student and peer or Executive Director evaluations collected within the past five years as part of any Kean University personnel process. (Candidates should ensure that their materials are uploaded in Interfolio and/or Campus Labs, and the committee will access the files from those portals.

Dr. Stephen Kubow Presidential Excellence Award for Service (2 Awards): Two awards will be made in recognition of faculty members with at least two years of service who have achieved distinction in one or more of the following areas:

1. Service to the community, region or nation: for example, elective or appointed office; appointment to significant boards or commissions; leadership roles in voluntary, civic, educational or non-profit bodies.
2. Service within a profession or discipline, for example, leadership in a professional or discipline-related organization; significant involvement in higher education associations or activities.
3. Service to Kean University: for example, leadership over a period of several years in campus governance, departmental activities or other significant institutional initiatives.

Note: To be eligible for the award, the quality of service must be demonstrated to be of an unusual or exemplary nature, extending over a period of at least two years and encompassing a broad range of leadership functions and activities. The quality of service should extend well beyond what would normally be expected of a person in the same position. The applicant should demonstrate the ways in which his or her role in the organization has resulted in significant positive changes, innovations or improvements within the organization, on its members, or on others affected by the work of that organization. This award is named after the beloved late Dr. Stephen Kubow, the recipient of the University’s first lifetime achievement award in recognition of his contributions to the Kean University community since 1993.

Supporting Documentation from the nominee:

1. A one-to-three-page narrative explaining the types of service undertaken by the applicant, describing the leadership role or roles and explaining the significance of the leadership role he or she has played.
2. A current curriculum vitae.
3. Supporting material relating to the service activities: e.g., letters, testimonials, certificates, or other information.

Research/Scholarship/Creative Work Awards (2 Awards): Two awards will be made in recognition of one tenured and one untenured faculty member who has published a book, monograph or article of scholarly distinction in the past two years or who has demonstrated distinguished achievement in the fine or performing arts. Alternatively, the award may be made to recognize one tenured and one untenured faculty member whose scholarship in the past five years constitutes an exceptional contribution to his or her discipline.

Supporting Documentation from the nominee:

1. A letter of application indicating whether the candidacy is based upon a single contribution to scholarly or creative activity during the past two years or upon a pattern of contributions over the most recent five-year period. The focus of the letter should be on delineating the significance of scholarly or creative activity to the candidate’s discipline.
2. A current curriculum vitae.
3. A copy of the book(s), article(s) or monograph(s) that form the basis of the nomination process. Candidates in the creative arts should provide copies of appropriate representations of their work and reviews of exhibits or performances.

Staff Awards

Dr. Stephen Kubow Presidential Excellence Award for Service

4 Awards (All Staff including CWA, non-teaching AFT, KUPD, Facilities)

2 Managerial (MAD, Director, AVP, VP etc.)

Six awards will be made in recognition of staff members who have achieved distinction in service to Kean University. The quality of service must be demonstrated to be of an unusual or exemplary nature, extending over a period of at least 2 years. Such service may include, but is not limited to student academic, financial, socioemotional and recreational advisement and assistance, safeguarding lives, property and wellbeing of all members of the University community, positive response to members of the campus community, enhancement of support for faculty and administrators and positive interactions within their respective unit and with other departments to accomplish goals.

Note: The quality of service should extend well beyond what would normally be expected of a person in the same position. The applicant should demonstrate ways in which his/her role has resulted in significant positive changes, innovations, or improvements in service to Kean University. Managers are eligible for this award.  This award is named after the beloved late Dr. Stephen Kubow, the recipient of the University’s 1st lifetime achievement award in recognition of his contributions to the Kean University community since 1993.

Supporting Documentation from the nominee:

1. A formal letter including a one- to three-paragraph explanation of why they deserve the award.
2. A brief history of work experience at Kean University (including dates of service).
3. Supporting material relating to the service activities; e.g., letters, testimonials, certificates, or other information.

Student Awards

Emerging Excellence in Student Leadership (1 Award): One award will be made in recognition of a Kean University undergraduate student with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA who has obtained at least 12, but not more than 55.5, undergraduate credits at the time of nomination, whose outstanding leadership has made a positive impact on the quality of campus life at the University through leadership in campus governance, recognized student groups, departmental activities or other significant institutional initiatives.

Supporting Documentation:

1. A one- to three-page narrative explaining the types of formal or informal leadership roles undertaken by the applicant and explaining the significance of the leadership role he or she has played within the campus community.
2. An official Co-Curricular Transcript (CCT).
3. Supporting material relating to leadership activities: e.g., letters, testimonials, certificates, or other information. 

Excellence in Student Leadership (2 Awards): Two awards will be made in recognition of Kean University undergraduate students with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA who have obtained at least 56 undergraduate credits and/or Kean University graduate students with at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA who have obtained at least 9 graduate credits at the time of nomination, whose outstanding established leadership has made positive impacts on the quality of campus life at the University through leadership over a period of time in campus governance, recognized student groups, departmental activities or other significant institutional initiatives.

Supporting Documentation:

1. A one- to three-page narrative explaining the types of formal or informal leadership roles undertaken by the applicant and explaining the significance of the leadership role he or she has played within the campus community.
2. An official Co-Curricular Transcript (CCT).
3. Supporting material relating to leadership activities: e.g., letters, testimonials, certificates, or other information.

Excellence in Service (2 Awards): Two awards will be made in recognition of Kean University undergraduate students with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA who have obtained at least 29 undergraduate credits and/or Kean University graduate students with at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA who have obtained at least 9 graduate credits at the time of nomination, whose outstanding volunteer and service efforts have made positive impacts to the local, regional, national or global community resulting in the accumulation of at least 20 Kean University validated community service hours.

Supporting Documentation:

1. A one- to three-page narrative explaining the types of service undertaken by the applicant and explaining the significance of the role he or she has played within the initiative(s).
2. An official Co-Curricular Transcript (CCT).
3. Supporting material relating to the service activities: e.g., letters, testimonials, certificates, or other information.

Note: To be eligible for any student award, the quality of leadership, volunteerism and service must be demonstrated to be of an unusual or exemplary nature and encompass a broad range of service functions and activities. The quality of leadership, volunteerism, and service should extend well beyond what would normally be expected of a person in the same position. The applicant should demonstrate the way in which his or her role in the initiative(s) has resulted in significant positive changes, innovations and improvements within the local, regional, national or global community or on others affected by the work of that organization.

Timeline:

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Announcement of 2026 Presidential Excellence Awards

Friday, September 25, 2026

Nomination window closes

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Supplementary documents are due to committee

Friday, October 16, 2026

Committee completes their review and sends suggestions to the President

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

President accepts and announces 2026 honorees

Honorees and 1 guest are invited to the President’s Excellence Awards and Retirees Celebration which will be held on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.