On Thursday, October 16, Kean University hosted its annual Major & Minor Exploration Fair, welcoming students from all academic backgrounds to discover new paths and deepen their educational journeys. Located in Downs Hall, the event brought together representatives from Kean’s six colleges spanning several fields.
The fair, hosted by the Center for Advising, Persistence and Success (CAPS) and the Division of General Education and Interdisciplinary Studies (DGEIS), was meant for students either struggling to choose a major, reconsidering their current program, or simply looking to learn more about the academic opportunities offered at the university.
Dozens of tables representing Kean’s numerous departments filled the hall, from Business and Public Management to Health Professions and Public Administration, to Liberal Arts, Humanities, and more. Students toured interactive displays, collected informational brochures, and engaged with enthusiastic faculty that provided advice for their academic careers.
Charlie Collins, a freshman at Kean currently majoring in Fine Arts, described her experience.
“I’m looking forward to switching my major,” she said. “I was considering Global Studies, but [because of the fair] I’m thinking of switching to Global Business instead.”
Angel Rodriguez, majoring in Computer Science and Engineering, added his input.
“I found this Major & Minor fair really helped because if you’re Undecided, here you can get some information on Majors and Minors,” he explained. “Even if you have a Minor, you [may not] have some information on Minors or on your career, so you can exchange some information and knowledge.”
He also highlighted his positive experiences with the academic program at Kean. “I really love the fact that here you can really just change [your major] that fast,” he said. “I really like what Kean is doing, helping Undecided students [choose Majors] or even decided students choose Minors, [and letting them] have a professional opinion.”
Students Rafael Guterres and Anthony Cerrato, who arrived late, gave their impressions of the fair.
“So far there’s a lot of [options] here, like great Minors,” Gueterres said. “I haven’t explored enough yet to change my mind, but I’m looking around at all the opportunities.”
Anthony commented on the fair, “It’s been pretty good, it’s been pretty accommodating... I’d recommend it.”
Dr. Gregory Shepherd of the Bilingual, TESOL and World Language Department, representing the table for Latin American Studies, explained the benefits of the event.
“I think it gives them a chance to talk to specialists in different fields to get a feel for really what they want to do, professionally but also intellectually,” he expressed. In giving advice to students struggling to choose a Major or Minor, he stressed taking “one course in a particular Minor, and make a decision based on your experience. I think it’s a good idea to consult also with professors in the department so that that first course is a good experience.”
The fair also showcased Kean’s commitment to diversity and community on the campus. As Dr. Shepherd put it, “[diversity] is truly one of the major, beautiful pieces about this campus.”
To add to the excitement, visitors who interacted at enough tables could enter a raffle for prizes that included Kean merch and a $50 gift card. The festive atmosphere, complete with snacks and a lively attendance, made the event feel less like an academic fair and more like a celebration of possibility.
As students left Downs Hall with tote bags full of pamphlets and minds buzzing with new ideas, the message was clear: Kean University is committed to not only ensure every student find their academic fit, but to thrive in it.
