Kean University’s annual Kean Day brought dozens of student organizations, university departments and campus resources together on Friday, Sept. 11, giving students a chance to explore opportunities outside the classroom along Cougar Walk. From noon to 4 p.m., tables stretched from the Miron Student Center Plaza down Cougar Walk toward Harwood Arena, with organizations, departments and community partners introducing students to what Kean has to offer.
Students checked in at the Miron Student Center Plaza, where they could pick up a free Kean Day T-shirt before heading into the event. Along the route, students stopped at tables, talked with organization members and participated in activities.
Jasmine Johnson, a freshman and Biology major from Willingboro, NJ said she initially came outside after hearing the noise from the event. After visiting several tables, she found several organizations related to reading, volunteering and faith that caught her attention. “I definitely am interested in joining an organization," she said. “I'm open to it.”
A DJ played music as students danced along Cougar Walk, while Gourmet Dining offered snacks, drinks and other giveaways alongside an exercise bike that could be used to make juice. Food and drinks were also available from H&S Soul Food, Chef J Catering, BB Blends and Cool Zone Ice Cream, with vendors PepsiCo and Monster Energy represented.
Dozens of academic and professional organizations pulled up, including the Accounting and Finance Association, Investment Club, Global Business Association, Association of Marketing, Women in Cybersecurity, Association for Computing Machinery, Forensic Science Club and Genetic Counseling Club.
Students interested in creative and recreational activities could visit groups such as the Creative Writing Club, Kean Anime Society, Kean Film Association, Kean Dungeons & Dragons Club, Art Over All, Kean Theatre Council, Ski and Snowboard Club and Kean Esports.
Anne Nelson, a third-year English Writing and Communication double major from Paterson, NJ, serves as president of the Creative Writing Club. She attended with the goal of attracting new members, particularly freshmen.
“My main thing was that since I'm the president of the Creative Writing Club, I was hoping to get more members interested in the Creative Writing Club, because this is when freshmen are abundant,” Nelson said.
The club holds meetings and writing activities, including prompts, writing advice and workshops. It also helps students prepare for writing competitions, including flash fiction contests. Nelson explained how Kean Day makes organizations more approachable than simply finding them online.
“I think it's the best way to actually get students to go out and check out clubs and departments because you could see everything and it's colorful and you have people there to give you more information,” she said.
She contrasted that with Cougar Link, where students may have to send an email or navigate a more formal process. At Kean Day, “you also get to know the e-board, how friendly they are—you get a vibe,” she said.
Other tables represented cultural, identity-based and community organizations, including Hindu Yuva, the National Council of Negro Women, the United African Student Association, MASA, Hallyu, NJ Salsa, Catholic Club and Women of Color in Medicine.
Lily Revaitis, a junior majoring in Earth Science with a minor in English from Toms River, NJ, represented the Kean University Anime Society, a student club that focuses on anime, manga, cosplay and Japanese culture. Revaitis said the group is working to rebuild its presence after having fewer events and less engagement the previous year. “We were hoping to get more reach."
In this regard, Kean Day was particularly valuable for students who may not know where to start looking for student life. “A lot of students, especially if they're new students or freshmen or transfer students, they don't really know where to go to get clubs or organizations,” Revaitis said.
Isabella Cardoza, a junior Fine Arts major from Perth Amboy, transferred to Kean after attending community college. She came to Kean Day hoping to meet people and become more involved.
“I just wanted to meet new people because I just transferred here from UCC [Union County College],” she said. After visiting several tables, she found the Marketing organization and Art Over All organization noteworthy. She planned to attend meetings to learn more.
University departments and services were represented alongside the student organizations. Students could learn about resources through offices and programs including Accessibility Services, Scholarship Services, the Wellness Center, Kean Global, McNair Scholars, Kean IT, and the Nancy Thompson Learning Commons.
Bernardino, a freshman Medical Laboratory Science student, said he was drawn to Kean Day because of the activities and campus resources. He shared how he had benefited from Supera, a Spanish-language support program for students who use English as a second language.
After visiting the tables, he said he was interested in the Dance Club. “I would say it means a lot, because we can meet new people, and then we're different majors, and then we [have] different backgrounds, too,” he said.
On Sept. 8, Kean Day also took place at the university’s Jersey City campus, where students gathered for the first Kean Day held there since the campus joined the Kean system.
Together, the events gave students across Kean’s campuses opportunities to discover organizations, meet other students and become more involved in campus life.
