The MSC Patio was filled with long lines of students who were looking forward to flavorful barbeque food, taking pictures with friends, and dancing to music for an afternoon of fun in between finals.  

Mabinty Sesay, a Criminal Justice major and freshman from Franklin shared why she attended the event. 

"I feel like since finals are coming up this is something to just relax and enjoy before having to take finals. I'm looking forward to eating good food, and chilling with my friends." 

As the semester comes to a conclusion, many students are looking for a fun way to finish their semester and create more memories. They were able to do this with the chance to enter a raffle, win fun prizes from answering trivia questions, and unlock their creative side at the craft table. 

Emmanuel Omaiya, Architecture major and freshman from Irvington wanted to end his school year on a good note. 

"I chose to come out to the cookout because it's kind of like the last day of the semester for me, and I just wanted to enjoy what the campus had to offer." 

The CAPS Cookout offered a variety of options for selective eaters and those with dietarian restrictions like cold pasta, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, rice, watermelon, cole slaw, and brownies. 

Musfira Mohamed, Business Management major and sophomore from Edison enjoyed the food options and seeing other people participate in the event. 

"I was attending class this morning, and I got a message about the cookout. I thought it would be nice to see other people, and there's food, so why not," stated Mohamed. 

"I like the food. There were vegetarian options. It looks great right now, they have a photobooth going on, everything is great." 

The CAPS Cookout successfully allowed students to relax and take a break in between classes and final exams. Students were able to do something special and delight in the warm weather while enjoying the last few days of the spring semester. 

Cougar Climb is a program intended for first-year students to encourage them to get involved and discover the resources and organizations available. Students who participate must complete 6 badges which are Academic Engagement, Career Development, Civic Engagement, Global & Cultural Awareness, Health & Wellness, and Social Engagement. 

At the celebration, there was a variety of sandwiches, pastries, wraps, and bagels for students to eat. Each student earned a certificate and bag filled with Kean Cougar Climb merch. In addition, all students who completed the program were entered into a drawing to win an iPad Pro. 

Anastasia Grubyak, a Cellular Molecular Bio major and freshman from Jersey City, shared her excitement about the chance to win an Apple product and what she had to do to reach this point. 

"I completed the Cougar Climb and now I am celebrating because I want the iPad Pro and the Apple pencil because mine broke down. I love the event, the food is great, the music is great. I have my friends and we're just chatting it up. I like being here," shared Grubyak. 

"I had to complete six badges for Cougar Climb...You just had to go around campus and talk to different offices, do the Career Fair, Major-Minor Fair, and just be actively involved on campus. It's great for a freshman." 

The Student Life Media Team's (SLMT) very own videographer, Christoly Georges, a Physical Education and Health major, and freshman from Orange, shared his experience in the program.  

"When I first got here, I already planned to know everyone and everything here on campus, so I said why not just do it. Everywhere I went on campus, I saw QR codes about Cougar Climb, so I scanned it and did all the things they asked me to. I liked it. I completed everything and it's nice seeing a lot of hundreds on my path, so it was lovely," expressed Georges. 

"I've learned about more places and more opportunities. That's how I even got to learn about Cougar's Byte through Cougar Climb and Connections." 

There was a considerable number of participants for the Fall 2024/Spring 2025 school year compared to the previous year. The Fall 2023/Spring 2024 school year had 1,881 participants with only 4 students completing the program and 78 badges earned. For the Fall 2024/Spring 2025 academic year, there were 3,224 participants with 21 participants completing all 6 badges and 460 badges earned. 

The overall response was positive with many students engaging in the program. The Cougar Climb initiative is designed to help first-year students become familiar with the organizations and resources on campus. Many students enjoyed the journey and walked away confidently knowing more about their university.  

Upon check-in, students were given a passport to mark each club they had visited, which also gave them a chance to enter a giveaway raffle. There were long lines of students at each club's table, eager to indulge in delicious foods from each cultural club.  

Amira Alonso, a Chemistry major and sophomore from Rochelle Park, shared why she decided to come to the event. 

"I was passing by, and I saw the different flags of Hispanic countries, and I thought it was interesting because I'm Hispanic," stated Alonso. 

"I love talking to people, and I love the free food; it's not bad at all." 

There was no shortage of delicious dishes for guests to enjoy. Some of the dishes presented were Bolos de Bacalhau and Croquetes de Carne from the Portuguese Club, Tres Leche Cake and Frescolita from the Venezuelan Colombian Student Association, Pancit and Lumpia from F.U.N.K., and Coxinhas and Queijo Frito from the Latin American Student Organization.  

Leslie Lopez, a Global Business major and senior from Piscataway, came to A Taste from Around the World to discover cuisines that are different from what she is used to. 

"I decided to come because I never tried foods from other cultures besides my own culture, so I wanted to try new things," shared Lopez. 

"I'm enjoying the drinks. I'm trying new drinks that I have never tried before, and I really enjoy them. I like the Brazilian soda and sorrel from the West Indian table." 

Many students were pleased to get a break from the freezing weather and finally experience beautiful sunny skies with their friends. This, along with the delicious food offered at each table, made the event even more enjoyable for students. 

Prince Bortey, a Computer Science major and freshman from East Orange, was excited to enjoy the warm weather with friends and other students. 

"It looked like great vibes with everyone outside and socializing. [I'm looking forward to] tasting the dishes from different cultures and experiencing different meals." 

A Taste from Around the World was an event that represented one of the key values that Kean University proudly stands for. All students were welcome to explore and take pride in the various cultures that are represented on campus. 

Students were lined up inside Wilkins Theater as early as 7:30 p.m., eager to be seated and see the well-known comedian.

Zachary Valentin, a sophomore majoring in Mathematical Sciences Education from East Brunswick, came with his partner for his first comedy show experience at Kean.

"This is my first time, and it's really my first time seeing Sal. I came here with my partner because they're a super huge fan, they watched the TV show a lot, and so this is really my first time for everything," he said. "I'm looking forward to just a really funny night… I'm excited!"

Vulcano, known for his show Impractical Jokers and podcast Hey Babe! provided students with a great night of laughter when telling stories of the various pranks and punishments he's gone through, like having Jaden Smith tattooed on both of his legs. 

He also told many stories of his personal experiences, from the story of his son's birth to finding weapons for catching an intruder.

"I had the machete and well, she's obviously not on board with it, so then went through this conversation of her recommending other weapons, I can catch a hypothetical intruder with," he joked. "So she says, 'How about a boomerang?' and she was dead serious, so I bought it!"

The night was also filled with several crowd interactions where students expressed how much of a fan they were, some even dressed as Tanka Jahari and a Pizza. Vulcano also praised Kean for its food services and dedication to its students.

"I've heard many good things about Kean," he said. "You guys placed high in good food; I've been to schools where well… you all should be proud of your school!"

It was a great night at Kean! Vulcano's set went on for about an hour, and students were satisfied with the entertainment for the night.

Maya Cardenas, from Columbia, who is a senior Political Science major at Kean another fan of his, who thoroughly enjoyed the night.

"I watched Sal when he was at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, like I loved Impractical Jokers!" Carednas expressed. "The energy that he brought, I loved how interactive he was with the crowd, I really appreciated that he took the time to worry and learn about Kean. I thought he was hilarious!"

Kean has been dedicated to providing students with top-tier experiences, this semester alone, being full of interactions with actor Giancarlo Esposito and rapper and mental health advocate G Herbo. 

Sal Vulcano was a great way to cap off all the semester's activities at Kean, what better to end the academic year than with laughter?

Here's to another successful night of comedy at Kean! 

As students walked towards the patio, they were greeted by music, a photobooth, and tents of drinks and foods to taste and enjoy.  

Iman Warachi, an Economics major and freshman from Plainfield, stumbled upon the event and communicated how much she enjoyed the outside celebration. 

"I heard music playing outside from the academic building, so I thought I might as well come and hear and see what this is about. Everything is really good, and I'm having a good time so far!" 

Attendees were able to enjoy sweet treats like ice cream to cool down and play games like hula hoops and corn toss.  

Sprite and Monster Energy were two of the companies that had display tents to give away merchandise to students.  

Cheyenne Gorman, a Psychology major and sophomore from Hillsborough, expressed her love for Monster Energy drinks. 

"I love it! I love the free Monsters, I'm a big Monster girl, I love them. The environment is so nice, and it is so nice outside. I'm just loving it all together." 

Gourmet Dining also offered cheesesteak, chips, and beverages for students to indulge in as they walked around the patio and took pictures, making more memories with their friends and classmates. 

Camryn Smith, a Criminal Justice major and freshman from Old Bridge, shared her excitement for the warm weather. 

"It's so fun, and the fact that it's nice outside makes it even better. The cheesesteaks are really good, the ice cream is really good, and the Monsters are really good. It's just a really good vibe outside, and it's a really nice day for this." 

Gourmet Dining's Nutrition Services was present, offering samples of a delicious Creamsicle Smoothie. Students could also pedal a bike to blend the healthy beverage. Recipe cards of the smoothie and information regarding the dietitian services on campus were also available for students to take. 

As the event settled down, attendees settled into big groups all along Cougar Walk, dancing, eating, and chatting away. It was a wonderful way to end a busy school day for the majority of Kean students. 

Ramon Barber, a History major and freshman from Morristown, added his own show of enthusiasm for the event. 

"I had a great time! It was a beautiful day to do this, and events like these are cool because I like to socialize." 

Customer Appreciation Day was a great way to enjoy the Kean campus one more time before the end the of the semester. Students had the chance to take pleasure in the moment and make more memories. 

Other events included Empower Hour Series, Pie a Sister, Step Into It Workshop, 2025 KWC Health and Wellness Expo, Careers in Education Job Fair, Kupcakes & Poppi Social, Bubble Tea with God, Zumba Class, First to Climb Higher Celebration, and Founders Day Celebration. 

Here at Kean University, Unity Week recognizes the many cultures and unique differences the students, faculty, and staff have. This special time during the Spring semester means something different for everyone. 

Danielle Clark, a Public Administration major and junior from Wharton, shared what this time means to her. 

"To me, Unity Week just means showing pride for your school and other cultures and people's backgrounds. It's a great way to learn and get involved on campus." 

The week began with an exciting Students vs Faculty/Staff Basketball Game. With both teams playing competitively, the students walked away with a win with a score of 48-49. 

But it was Culture Fest that truly kicked off the reason for celebration. What better way to show unity than by sharing your culture? Culture-based student-led organizations gathered in the Miron Student Center (MSC) with games, snacks, and music to display their cultural heritage. 

Chetana Bidesi, a freshman and Biomedicine major from India, now living in Edison, celebrated Hindu culture with her group, Hindu Youth for Unity, Virtues, and Action (YUVA). 

"Our goal here [is] to make people aware that Hindu culture is still here in this school, and we want to make people educated on what the Hindu culture is, not just like the basics but the history behind it," she said.  

"We have here kaju katli, that's a sweet made of cashews, and it's made into like a diamond shape just to make it fun. We also have bracelets here and earrings, just showcasing that Indian culture." 

Maintaining the Culture Fest hype, Wednesday, April 9, SGA and the Graduate Student Government (GSG) hosted the Unity Week Comedy Show featuring comedian and television personality, Sal Vulcano. 

Leanny Regalado, from Paterson, and a Psychology major in her senior year, voiced her enthusiasm for the event and showed gratitude to SGA. 

"I'm really excited for Sal, he's very fun, so I'm looking forward to this! Props to SGA for bringing this event to life, they always kill it with their super, super iconic sell-out shows, so I'm really excited." 

Unity Walk 2025 was another event that successfully gathered the university together and was hosted by Well Being at Work, the Office of Student Government, and the GSG. 

Makenzie Kuntz, President of SGA, explained the purpose of the walk. 

"Today we have the Unity Walk, which is just a collaboration with Well Being at Work with Nicole Klein, who is spearheading this whole initiative. It's just a walk to bring the campus community together to promote health and wellness during Unity Week," stated Kuntz. 

"We have students, faculty, administration [here] just to get outside, go on a nice walk, forget about the stresses of the day, and just enjoy some quality time together. That's what today means." 

Rashaad Couloote, a Grad student from Piscataway studying Forensic Psychology appreciated the support from those on campus and enjoyed the peace of mind the walk gave as students approach exam week. 

"I thought the Unity Walk was very important. It showcased togetherness and it was very calming, since finals are around the corner," expressed Couloote. 

"Also, it is great to get a lot of people from different departments to show up and do an activity. That's hard for certain organizations to do, so I thought it was very powerful." 

The events included during Unity Week reflect the diversity of the Kean University campus and give students something to look forward to as the semester comes to an end. 

Unity Week ended with the Founders Day Celebration at the MSC Patio. As the DJ played music, students took pictures at the photobooth, enjoyed refreshments, and received a complimentary T-shirt. Students were also able to write letters thanking donors who contributed greatly to the school. 

President Repollet shared that this was the most successful Founders Day in the history of the university. Over $700,000 was raised from 423 generous donors. In addition, the College of Business and Public Management earned the Founders Day trophy for having the highest participation among all the colleges.  

Unity Week 2025 was nothing short of amazing. Students, faculty, and staff enjoyed the various festivities that united the university. Unity Week showcased the culture and unparalleled experiences that bring us together and strengthen the values of our Kean University. 

Upon check-in, students were able to get tickets to enjoy a sweet treat from DiCosmo's Italian Ice and food from &Pizza. There were also Kean-branded clappers, beanies, keychains, and sunglasses for students to use while supporting each team.  

Michelande Volcy, an Exercise Science major and junior from East Orange, shared why she came in support of the basketball game and what Unity Week meant to her. 

"I wanted to support my RHD, Rakeem Jones, and show some school spirit. To me, [Unity Week] means coming together with the Kean Community.  

She also made it clear which team she was rooting for. 

"I want to see the staff win the game!" 

As the DJ played music each team was introduced with the student team wearing light blue T-shirts and the staff team wearing navy blue T-shirts. It was a competitive first quarter with the students ahead of the staff by one point with a score of 14-15. However, the second quarter ended with the staff being on top with a score of 26-23. 

Chamaine Halimana, an Architecture major and freshman from Connecticut, stated why she wanted to support both teams and what she was anticipating. 

"I decided to come to the basketball game because I thought it was a nice event to do especially as the school semester is coming to an end," stated Halimana. 

"I'm looking forward to seeing students and staff being excited and people having a good time." 

During the time-outs, student staff from the Student Government Association threw T-shirts towards the sections of the crowd that had the most Kean cheer.  

At halftime there was an exciting performance from the NJ Salsa club as well as a free throw contest that featured talented students and awarded winners with prizes. 

At the end of the event, Vice President for Student Affairs, Kerrin Lyles, who also played in the game, shared his thoughts and excitement for the next Students vs. Staff Basketball Game. 

"I think tonight was a really great night. This is the second time we've done this, and this is the second time it has come down to the wire. We all had a good time," expressed Lyles. 

"As the staff, we are tired because we played against the young students, but we did well...I'm proud of the team, and I'm happy this was a successful event. We look forward to doing it again next year." 

Both teams gave great effort and an entertaining performance to start Kean's 2025 Unity Week. With a final score of 48-49, the students won the game and bragging rights for a year. The night was filled with fun and excitement for staff, students, family, and friends who came to support.  

Downs Hall was decorated with many tables from resources on and off campus that promote health and wellness. Organizations present at the event included Horizon, Stunning Med Spa, Hamilton Behavioral, Gourmet Dining, Community Wellness and Counseling Center, and Barnes and Noble. Each table offered pens, books, brochures, totes, and T-shirts for students.  

Alina Sabytska, an Elementary Education major and freshman from Kearny, shared her excitement for the classes offered at the Health and Wellness Expo. 

"I actually saw this event posted. We were here for the Step-Up class last week and we really liked it. When we heard they were offering yoga sessions, we decided to come. We're excited for that. I also really like the snack station that they have and the table with the nutrition plans." 

Besides meditation sessions, the KWC also offered Step Fitness by Kean P.U.L.S.E. and STI and HVI testing by Iris House. 

Registered Dietitian of Gourmet Dining's Nutrition Services, Samantha Collina, shared the nutritional guides and fun activities Gourmet Dining was presenting to attendees.  

"We're at the Health and Wellness Expo today doing some nutrition trivia, DIY snack mix, and some giveaways.  

Gourmet Dining invited students to take the time to make their own trail mix from the Chickpea Snack Mix Bar. Students chose from a variety of ingredients and seasonings like roasted chickpeas, pretzels, banana chips, cinnamon sugar, and Himalayan salt and vinegar. 

Kema Zamor, an Early Childhood Education major and junior from Elizabeth, shared her thoughts on mental health. 

"I decided to come to the event because I wanted to learn more about mental health. I feel like, especially in my culture being a person of color, mental health is often overlooked," stated Zamor. 

"I think it is very important to not only educate others but also educate myself on the truth about it." 

As the DJ played music for all to enjoy, many students bought books and stuffed animals from Barnes and Noble to give their minds a break from academic literature. 

Kean University prioritizes the health and well-being of its students. The 2025 KWC Health and Wellness Expo encouraged students to discover what relaxes them and take advantage of the opportunities available, especially during the week of finals.  

From 3 to 5 p.m., the Miron Student Center (MSC) drew in Kean students for an afternoon full of community and cultural exchange. The event was hosted by the Graduate Student Government (GSG) and the Student Government Association (SGA) of Kean. 

Culture Fest opened with a welcoming statement from Vice President for Student Affairs, Kerrin Lyles, about the origins of Kean University's Unity Week, how it has since been developed by students to bring the campus community together, and that it has been celebrated annually since April 1998.  

Every inch of MSC was decorated with different clubs that represented various cultures, such as NCNW, ASECU, Hindu Yuva, First Love, and NJ Salsa. There were also tables that displayed traditional foods from around the world.   

Matisse Rediker, a junior and Early Childhood Education major, with an endorsement in Teachers of Students with Disabilities (TSD) and Music major from Monmouth County, represented Jewish culture with her group Kean Hillel. 

"[Being here and sharing my culture] makes me feel really good, especially because it's not that large of a Jewish population on Kean's campus… so having the opportunity to really showcase who we are and teach people about the organization and what we're really for is nice," she said. 

"Not everyone comes from the same way of life, there's Jews that come from Europe, Jews that come from Africa… no two of us will look or appear the same." 

Students attend Culture Fest each year to indulge in delicious cuisines and observe the various cultural clubs Kean has to offer. 

Ziyohn Rogers, a Medical Laboratory Science major and sophomore from Newark, stated why he decided to come to Culture Fest. 

"It's a great opportunity to meet new people and discover new cultures. I'm looking forward to trying the food here." 

Darlin Roca, a Computer Science major and sophomore from Perth Amboy, expressed his love for discovering flavors from other traditions. 

"I really like the different food cultures. I'm a big fan of trying food from different cultures. You can find different flavors and different people to explore and learn more about. So far, I really like the mac and cheese." 

There was a variety of foods for students to enjoy at each station such as sesame chicken stir fry, collard greens, curry chicken, and garlic scented rice. After visiting 5 tables from clubs, each student was given a complimentary T-shirt. 

Each year Culture Fest successfully captures the values Kean University stands on. The University is committed to showcasing the various backgrounds that make the campus unique and enjoyable for everyone.  

The Real Talk Conference was about giving students the rundown on real-life responsibilities and what it takes to be the best they can be.

The day began at Check-In in the MSC atrium, where students were given free merchandise and other resources on what Kean offers. In the Greek Lounge, students had the chance to have free professional headshots taken, sponsored by PAC and The Office of Belonging and Community Engagement.

Students gathered in MSC 228 for breakfast and an opening introduction to the day's agenda by PAC Co-Chairs Angel Ihie and Delia Latini and Kean's Chief Well-Being Officer, Erika Charles.

"Your well-being is foundational to your success," said Charles as she introduced the morning speaker, Asa Dugger.

Dugger is a Kean Alumna and a first-generation student from Cherry Hill, NJ, who has found success in her career as a content creator and strategist. In her presentation, she went through her journey from undergrad to her professional career and discussed the four key values of legacy and success: discipline, community vulnerability, and perseverance. 

"If you can't walk today, at least crawl, and if you can't crawl, you better roll…just keep moving," Dugger advised.

After the powerful speaker, students were moved into break-out sessions with speakers Ayannah Johnson, Senior Director of North America who discussed life in a corporate job, and Brittany Claybrook, former East Orange Council Member who spoke about intersectionality and her journey as an urban planner.

"It's important to know that your voice is important," said Claybrook.

Following the morning's speakers, students took a small break for lunch but were then looped back in with Morgan Webster founder of Wechpin who gave tips on starting a business, and businessman Isaiah Scott, who talked about the importance of fitness and nutrition.

Soon after, the day's Keynote Speaker was finally introduced to the group of awaiting students in NAAB.

Famous for his rapping, G Herbo came to Kean to speak on his advocacy for mental health awareness.

"Mental health, and the importance of mental health and the things that we go through is so swept under the rug, you know so [stigmatized] nowadays."

He even briefly spoke of why he began Swerving Through Stress, an initiative that fights to destigmatize the conversation around mental health and provide wellness services to communities of color.

"I decided to launch my initiative Swerving Through Stress when I actually started to go see a therapist."

The rapper was transparent about his harsh upbringing and mental health journey.

"I didn't really understand what I was feeling and the reason why I was feeling this way," he explained. "I started to talk to a therapist, and I got clinically diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder."

The musical artist stressed the importance of being completely honest with yourself and who you seek help from. He also encouraged attendees to find an outlet that created a peaceful environment and positively distracted them from their troubles. For him, basketball and music were his forms of therapy and a way of escape from his surroundings.

"If you have an outlet or you're passionate about something that drives you to, you know, want to be great or be a better person you should hold to that," stated G Herbo. "Growing up basketball was one of my outlets where I was able to express myself early on".

G Herbo also motivated students to acknowledge their problems and face them, because being in denial will only make the situation worse. In the end, dedication and bravery are worth the reward. The artist looks for motivation in his faith, family, and friends to get him through tough times.

"Me just doing what I'm doing and putting my best foot forward to make sure that I'm protecting my children," he said. "I want my children to work hard at something, but I want to, you know, like, I feel like, if I don't make their job easier, their life easier for them to go and conquer the world and do whatever it is they want to do, then I didn't really do my job as a father."

Towards the end of the Real Talk Conference, G Herbo advised Kean students to prioritize their time and goals. His passion for mental health awareness shined through. He shared that we cannot take time for granted and that every moment in our young adult lives matters. 

"You just can't be in denial… you have to recognize the problem and what you're going through to get out of that situation and want better for yourself." The rapper concluded. "You can't take life for granted."

The presentation was not only informative but also engaged students by asking them what problems they dealt with in life. It challenged students to recognize when it is time to ask for help. 

Diana Abdelazem, a graduate student studying Global Business Administration from Egypt, shared why she decided to come to the De-stress with PAC event. 

"I like coloring and plus this a way to de-stress from my anxiety. Coloring makes me feel a little bit relaxed. I focus on coloring instead of my anxiety." 

There were tables filled with coloring books, colored pencils, Play-Doh, and journals. The small setting provided an intimate feel that allowed participants to unwind and have a peaceful moment. 

Stephanie Tande, a senior and Psychology and Psychiatric Rehabilitation major from West Africa detailed how her major related to the purpose of the event. 

"Like I mentioned before, I'm a Psych and Psychiatric major so mental health is kind of my thing. I always try to find ways to de-stress because I can't pour into anybody if I don't pour into myself too," stated Tande. 

"I typically enjoy coming to these types of events, especially in the middle of the day. The end of the semester is approaching too so this is an important time to learn how to de-stress before finals."  

Urooj Ali, a junior and Business Analytics major from Woodbridge stated that mental health is a topic that is important to her, especially as a college student. 

"First, I'm a big advocate for mental health and right now there's a lot of exams going on. I think having something to look forward to, even if it's like a smoothie or like an acai bowl, is really helpful. It helps me to get through the day, it really brightens my mood. I was able to get information on the mental health resources Kean offers." 

Kean University and PAC prioritize health and well-being. The event acknowledged the issues and difficulties the students on campus go through daily. Students walked away knowing that problems are inevitable, but they can be managed and resolved in a positive way with the help of the resources available on campus.  

This scholarship pageant began in the 1970s and aims to acknowledge and celebrate the intelligence, grace, and achievements of young women in colleges and universities. With each category, the young ladies were able to highlight their personality and prove why they deserve to take home the crown.  

Many who attended came to support their fellow Greek members, friends, and family.  

Amari Banks, an Elementary Education major and senior from Hackensack, stated why she decided to attend the pageant.  

"[I came] to have D-9 unity and support my Neo, who is participating today. I'm looking forward to seeing everybody's talent and what they bring." 

The pageant created an environment of support for the ladies competing and excitement for what they all had to offer. 

Kayla Buchana, a Psychology major and sophomore from Greenwich, Connecticut, also came in support of her fellow sister. 

"I decided to come because I wanted to support my fellow sisters that are a part of the pageant. I've never been before, so I thought it would be a good time." 

The pageant began with the ladies making their first impression on the judges and audience with the Grand Introduction. The ladies showed poise and elegance with their dancing and clever introductions. The Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant presented several categories like business attire, swimwear, talent, and evening gown.  

The business attire segment featured the young women in professional attire who displayed their personal style for the workplace. The talent portion highlighted the contestants' ability to sing, dance, recite poems and monologues, and perform self-defense.  

The Elegance Walk featured the young ladies in beautiful evening wear to end the night. As the ladies lined up, they were all required to answer a different question relating to the future, their hopes for the world, and why they deserved to win the Miss Black and Gold crown.  

Although all contestants did an amazing job displaying their talents, intelligence, and grace, only one could win. Lauren Green, a Psychology major with a minor in Criminal Justice at Kean University, was crowned Miss Black and Gold. Her authenticity and ability to capture the audience persuaded the judges.  

Congratulations to all the ladies who participated! 

Ch'nya Howard, the SLMT Senior Staff Writer, had the honor of speaking with First Lady Repollet about what it means to be in a leading role at the University. 

Q: How has your Corporate Human Resources Executive background contributed to the initiatives under your role of being Kean University's First Lady? 

A: I think the first thing is to talk about the First Lady position and what that means. So, in my role which is really a voluntary role here at Kean University, I do a lot of different things on campus, or I travel with the President. However, other spouse partners at other universities or colleges may not do the same things that I do and that's what makes a First Lady or First Spouse role unique. You have some situations where spouse partners are full-time employees, maybe on campus or off campus, or like myself maybe they don't work full time maybe they're entrepreneurs which is what I'm doing. I like to level set that initially in terms of what does being a First Spouse, or First Partner means.  

My background for 25 plus years was Corporate Human Resources. There are definitely synergies in terms of what I do as a First Lady to my Human Resources role in corporate and specifically around strategic partnerships. Human Resources really should operate as a strategic partner, meaning the support that you give to the customer group you're in support of or managers, employees, you're always that strategic partner with them and they utilize you for information resources support. And I look at that and say the First Lady position is similar in that way. I believe that I am a strategic partner for the University. In multiple ways, I help moderate the President's Distinguished Lecture Series, I am often asked to be a guest speaker for different events, and then I travel with the President when we're meeting with donors. That's how I view my role as First Lady and bring that correlation and experience from my HR background. 

Q: What do you believe is your strongest and most important quality (or qualities) as the First Lady? Was this quality learned as you engaged in the role, or do you believe it's innate? 

A: My qualities are around serving in a sort of support or service-type arena. I think those are the qualities that lend themselves well to what we're doing here at Kean University. Whether it's supporting students, serving as a mentor, or whether its supporting needs that the University has. Sometimes President Repollet is always everywhere all the time, but he has yet to be able to figure out how to clone himself. Sometimes, I need to fill in for him in terms of maybe a presentation or making remarks at an event for him. I view my role as being support to the University in whatever ways I can. 

Q: When you reflect over your years in this position, what has been the most challenging obstacle to overcome?  

A: The challenge came in the very beginning around time management. There are a lot of different activities that we're always involved in, and I think back now in terms of if I was still working full time, I wouldn't be able to do as much as I do in support of Kean University. Early on, I ultimately for totally different reasons, left that Corporate HR career, but it worked out for the benefit of myself, the President, my family, and ultimately the University because of the busyness that's involved with being in this role and the heavy schedule. The time management aspect and coordination of where we need to be is always a challenge, but it made it easier because I moved into having my own business and that's much more flexible. 

Q: As you are also a mother, what educational values have you instilled into your daughters? 

A: Education is the ultimate in terms of values for our family. Both of my parents were teachers. My mom taught at the elementary school level, and my dad taught at the high school level at vocational school. Growing up clearly education was important. I remember summers when my mom would sit down, and she would teach me how to write over the summer in cursive. It was instilled in me early. The President's paternal grandmother was also an educator. We both know the value of education and the importance of it and what it can mean to a person and then their family. That's what we talk to our girls about, understanding the importance and value of education, that everyone should have access to education, and that they need to take advantage of the opportunities that are in front of them in terms of schooling, exposure, and experiences, and really capitalize off that. Without education, where do you go? That's what it's all about, constant learning. And that's one of the fundamental values we have as a family. 

Q: As we all face adversities, what advice would you give to Kean students who are facing challenges? 

A: We all have adversities, challenges, and issues from time to time. I think the most important aspect any time there's a challenge or a struggle is to number one acknowledge that that exists as an issue. Sometimes we might try to ignore it or push it off and not really be truthful about whatever that is. The first thing is acknowledging it and accepting that this is the situation and then finding the resources and talking about it. I think a lot of times as well we may not want to talk to someone else or seek help. We might think that we can address this by ourselves. There are so many resources for students here right on campus and students should take advantage of them not only when all is going well but especially when things aren't going well and there's a challenge. That goes beyond just when you are here at Kean. That's in life to seek the resources that are available to us to navigate life. 

Q: What influenced your family to begin the Repollet Education Philanthropy (REP) Foundation? In what ways has the foundation changed or impacted the lives of students? 

A: The Repollet Education Philanthropy Foundation is our family nonprofit. We talked about education and how important it is to our family. The other thing that we absolutely love as a family is travel. So, we put the two together in terms of this REP Foundation, we merged those two concepts. Our foundation wants to be able to provide funding to students to support their education. But not necessarily in a traditional scholarship sense. We're probably going to be more focused on gap funding or emergency funding for students. We really believe that travel is an extension of the classroom. To whom much is given much is required. From that perspective, what our foundation would also like to do is to be able to support Travel Learns and study abroad for students. The REP Foundation would like to be able to help support funding for travel like that because of the value travel has in helping students to have a broader perspective and different experiences.  

Q: What legacy do you hope to leave at Kean University as the First Lady? 

A: I would hope my legacy as First Lady at Kean is about that I supported the University, supported the students and the community at large in any way that I could, and that the support that I gave helped impact someone, that people took something away from a Distinguished Lecture Series I moderate or from a conversation, they had with me, or I was able to encourage a donor to donate some more funding that led to a scholarship for someone. I'm a behind-the-scenes type of person. I just hope that my legacy is in terms of support for Kean. That I was able to benefit and impact individuals in some way. 

Q: As students prepare to graduate and enter into their next chapter of life, what life lessons and career advice would you share give to them? 

A: There are two things I would say. The first is just because you're graduating doesn't mean you're learning should stop. I really do believe in continuous learning. As an example, we talked about how I transitioned from being in Corporate HR to being an entrepreneur. I had never done anything business-like, so that's been a brand-new learning for me. I would encourage students to not stop learning, being inquisitive, and asking questions. There's so many ways of continuous learning. The second thing is a book by Harvey Coleman and there's a concept called P.I.E. P is for performance, the I is for image, and the E is for exposure. I encourage people to research it. It was meaningful to me when I first started out in my career to understand and learn that just me putting my head down, doing my job every day, wasn't the only thing that was going to help me to have success in my career. I really needed to be conscious about my image and most importantly the exposure, the networking and relationship building that would be so key to my success. 

We would like to sincerely thank First Lady Darlene Repollet for taking the time to partake in our Women in Action series. It was a great honor to acknowledge her leading role and all she does to support the University and encourage students towards continuous learning. 

Please be sure to tune into the interviews of our other Women in Action, Dr. Genique Stanislaus, Executive Director of the Kean Wellness Center, and Katherine Gallagher, Senior Vice President for Student Success.

Watch Part 3 of the Women in Action series here: https://youtu.be/VVpsig6vKxQ?si=BFcHcFK-cUVX7Um2

The organization, Creature Comfort, brought two dogs, Story and Page, for students to enjoy. These Labrador Retrievers love the camera and have modeled for several companies like Walmart and Milk-Bone. 

Many students took this event as an opportunity to take a breather and get away from their everyday stressors. The dogs were filled with life and fun and made the attendees feel welcomed and relaxed. 

Nicole Klein, Managing Assistant Director - Employee Well-Being, shared the purpose of Love Your Pet Day. 

"We teamed up with the Kean Wellness Center to bring Love Your Pet Day to Life. This is an annual international holiday just to celebrate pets," shared Klein.  

"We wanted to bring in a little bit of a wellness aspect to give faculty, staff, and students a chance to take a break, indulge in some pet therapy and pet love, and just celebrate the day." 

Many people use pets, especially dogs, as a way to create a tranquil and comfortable environment. 

Vanessa Bojcev, an Interior Design major and senior from Old Bridge stated what she was looking forward to at the event. 

"I actually work in the next few minutes, but I saw that this is a nice opportunity to just relax and debrief before I go into work," stated Bojcev. 

"Interior design and life in general are very stressful. So, I'm here to pet some pets and feel a little bit relaxed while I do so. 

Letian Jiang, a Communications major and junior from China, detailed his experience with dogs. 

"My parents also have a dog in our home. I just love dogs, so I wanted to join this activity remembering them. I just feel like the dogs are my friends. They comfort me and it's like I have a friend with me." 

The Kean Wellness Center and Well-Being at Work successfully hosted an event that allowed students, faculty, and staff to de-stress and take a necessary moment for themselves. The Love Your Pet Day event served as another example of how Kean supports a sense of community and well-being here on campus.  

Kean Departments like Gourmet Dining and other industries such as government, legal and law enforcement, education, and non-profit were present. Companies tabling included NJ Office of Legislative Services, Delaware State Police, Uncommon Schools, America Needs You, and Doka USA, Ltd. With over 150 employers meeting students, there was an opportunity for everyone to find an organization that matched their needs and desires. 

Awa Sene, IT Cybersecurity major and Grad student, from Union shared that she was looking for new job opportunities for herself and her husband. She also explained the qualities she desires in a potential employer. 

"I look for a good work-life balance, flexible schedule because I like to do a lot of things outside of work that help my personal development...in addition to having a good culture within the workspace." 

Sene has found companies that match her current skills and allow her to grow to her full potential. 

"At the American Dream they have a lot of cool corporate and event type roles. I'm a Project Manager so I like to host and manage events. American Dream seems like a good fit for what I'm looking for." 

Career coaches, alumni, and Kean faculty and staff were also available to help students perfect their elevator pitches before speaking with the representatives of each organization. 

Lauryn Repollet, an Architecture major and senior from Somerset, stated why she attended the Career and Internship Fair. 

"I decided to come to the Career Fair today because I am looking for an internship in the summer. I saw on the chart that there's some architecture firms here, so I went to them, and I talked to some of them already." 

Repollet also mentioned the workplace environment that interests her the most. 

"[I look for] diversity and I also look at the different projects that they do. Since I'm an architecture major, I like to see what type of projects they do, either it's commercial or residential. Those are some things I look for in a company." 

The Career and Internship Fair featured healthcare organizations like Link Home Therapy, Alliance Health System, and Hackensack Meridian Health. 

Kerlyn Samaniego, a Biomedicine major and sophomore from Kearny, stated her desire to apply her major to companies within the medical industry.  

"I'm looking for hospital jobs and internships. I just want to get involved more in the medical field and have more experience. I'm open to my options." 

The Spring 2025 Career and Internship Fair offered plenty of options for all students to explore. The fair gave students the opportunity to speak with potential employers and learn more about the fields they wish to pursue after graduation. 

Monday, March 24, activities include 

• Self-Care - Chair Yoga in the VISER Room at 12 p.m. 

• Pawsitivity in the Pre-Function Lobby at 1:30 p.m. 

• Diamonds and Distress in the Cougar Hall Great Room at 7 p.m.  

Tuesday, March 25 activities include 

• Pulse Check: Wellbeing Survey at the Miron Student Center at 12 p.m. 

• Feel It to Heal It Zumba in D'Angola Room 169 at 12:00 p.m. 

• Poetry Slam in the Human Rights Institute Gallery at 7 p.m. 

Wednesday, March 26 activities include  

• Journal with Us! In Townsend Room 116 at 11 a.m. 

• Self-Care Coloring in the VISER Room at 12 p.m. 

• Letters for Hope in CAS Room 124 at 3 p.m. 

Thursday, March 27 activities include 

• Hope Day: Wear Purple! All Day  

• Self-Care Coloring in the VISER Room at 12 p.m. 

• Freshman Cougar Plan and Wellness Kit in Cougar Hall at 2:30 p.m. 

It is strongly encouraged that all Kean students take advantage of these activities to promote their mental well-being. Here at the university, mental health is prioritized. The campus community is committed to creating a campus environment that supports students in any way along their academic journey.   

On Tuesday, March 4, notable and prestigious actor Giancarlo Esposito arrived at Kean University to encourage students to do everything they desire with intention.

The Actor is most known around campus for his role as Gus Fring in AMC's Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul but his roles in highly influential films like Do The Right Thing (1989), School Daze (1988), and Malcolm X (1992), did not go unnoticed.

Being Kean's fourth speaker for the President's Distinguished Lecture Series, Esposito shows that he is more than just skilled and talented, and his dedication and passion for storytelling left an influential impact on Kean campus.

"Well, people ask, what's your superpower, and I say mine is the ability to learn how to stay focused," Esposito shared before speaking on his journey to becoming who he is today.

Esposito was born to an African American mother who was an opera singer and an Italian father who worked in theater as a stagehand. Because of this, he found his first love, Theater.

Although debuting at just 8 years old and attentively studying the craft of acting, Esposito didn't just stop at the world of theater. As he matured, the actor developed the goal of one day being on the big screen, leading him to study radio and television communication in a two-year program at college, where he acquired a deeper understanding of video production and how to further enhance his acting skills to suit various mediums.

"I've always felt like I've been in growth, with every new project, even with every new medium I take on, I grow. That's how I became a director was because I was interested and engaged and excited and in wonder, enchantment, and joy, how do you do that?" he said. "When I started to learn about the fifty, the cowboy, the thirty, and seeing the whole world… that allowed me to adjust my acting style."

He emphasized the act of studying and researching and how being curious is an important tool in life because without it passion and excitement for something can become unattainable.

"Being inquisitive for all you young people is truly, truly important, to do something for the right reason, to find the truth of your connection to it is one of the most important things you can ever discover in your life because that means you will never ever call it work," he expressed. "We have a couple for letter words; we have work, we have play… we have love, if you love to play, work goes away."

After giving a brief nod to famous theater educator, Viola Spolin, with his play on words, Esposito goes on to discuss the impact acting has had on his life.

"I had a professor once say to me, 'acting is a way of healing the personality,' and I never forgot it… I love being an actor because I started to heal my personality by looking at me outside of the roles I'm playing."

He talked about acting and theater in a therapeutic sense and how, by embodying a character he was able to study himself, his trauma, and how he placed the blame on others creating the idea of "they" and the expectations he felt needed to live up to.

"I said one day there are no "they's" you are the devil… once I realized, man, I'm my biggest enemy, I'm the devil of myself because my think is messed up," Esposito said. "So with wellness, it's hard to check in with yourself because we're not supposed to talk about it."

Esposito's story planted seeds of confidence and success in the audience, especially Kean's Theater students whom the actor held a meet and greet with beforehand, exposing them to the truth of the life of an actor and encouraging them to allow themselves to commit to the passion of their craft.

"What I do is I try to bring people from one state of consciousness to another, that's nuance behavior… now when I was young I'd go through the script and [say] 'how many lines do I have,'… as I grew, I wanted to know what the whole piece was, I wanted to know what the whole book said, so I could become an integrated part of the whole story," he explained. 

But to Esposito, acting is about more than just lines he affirms.

"The theater is a lot like life," a statement proven by his growth.

In life, there are people you learn from, and not all of them are people who claim role-model status, Esposito deems they all have a level of importance in becoming successful.

"Learning, that's why it's great you're here, learning from someone who knows, learning from other people who don't know," he laughs.

Later on, Esposito will name many people who have inspired him other than, his parents, children, and various friendships he's made along the way.

"I was inspired by many African American acting legends, Sidney Portier, Harry Belafonte, Paul Roberson, a great singer, and the writings of Nikki Giovanni, [and] Maya Angelou," he lists. "So much of my inspiration comes from books and from film and seeing views of ourselves that are positive, and I take that to heart, those things changed the course of my life."

Esposito is a testament that storytelling encourages people to prevail and succeed and that without it, what does that make of us? He asserts that storytelling is boundless and is worthy of care and gentleness. 

"The art of storytelling magic," he said. "A story is universal and connects in a universal way, if it is shared with truth and honesty, we recognize it." 

But this is not all Esposito leaves his Kean audience with. He encourages students and attendees with one universal piece of advice.

"You can take all I'm saying now and apply it to anything you want to do; there are no small parts, they're only small actors," he concludes. "It's when we empower ourselves to know that we have the power to affect others no matter what we do our integrity gets uplifted… because we have something to contribute, and all of you, I would imagine, have something very deep to contribute.

In the second installment of the series, Courtney-Joy Breeden, SLMT Writer, had the opportunity to touch base with Katherine Gallagher, Senior Vice President for Student Success.

Q: Before joining Kean University, you served as Deputy Assistant Commissioner at the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE). What skills and experiences have you been able to transfer to your position here at Kean?

A: So, as Deputy Assistant Commissioner, I oversaw branches of the Division of Field Services of the Department of Education, and Field Services is really focused on engaging directly with schools and districts to support students. So, I would say the throughline of my career is really, it's about removing barriers to student success at all different levels and all different ways. And so much of what I've done in my career before is heavily applicable to what I do day in and day out here and it's about systems thinking, it's about being able to put yourself I think in a student's shoes to really understand what the barriers are and more importantly engaging with students and hearing from them directly about what their concerns are, what they're struggling with, what's holding them back from being successful as they want to be. We want every student to persist to graduation, what I did in the K-12 world is similar to what I'm doing now in a higher-ed context which is really just, trying to create opportunity for students.

Q: What inspired you to work in "student success," and what life occurrences led you to this role?

A: So I always knew I wanted to advocate for students and young people in some regard and what draws me to student success work was I think partly it is a natural extension of what I had been doing in a slightly different context but I also, I can relate to our students in many different ways. I was a transfer student myself, first generation, I made not every mistake in the book but close to it and so I think that drives me to really find innovative ways to support our students in their path to graduation. There are some straightforward ways we can do that like advising but we're always looking to find new and innovative ways to meet students where they are, the world changes quickly and we want to make sure that we're in touch with our students and really helping them get to the finish line.

Q: As the Senior Vice President for Student Success, how do you approach students that may feel isolated or challenged by the pressures of achieving a college education?

A: We try to individualize our support to students as much as we can and of course, we identify some common themes, [and] some challenges students are facing, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to stay in school and to get to the finish line and so the ways that I try to relate to students is sometimes telling them some of the stories of what I faced as a first gen student. I attended a state university that was not within New Jersey, I didn't fully understand the implications of paying more for tuition, I wasn't there for a specific reason, so that was one of the things that kind of tripped me up a little bit in my educational journey, I did transfer I took some time off and when I was driving home for thanksgiving I was pulled over, I might have been speeding a little bit, but I got pulled over and got a speeding ticket, it was a 300 dollar speeding ticket, I'm going to date myself, there were no cell phones so I drove to the nearest rest stop and honestly just cried my eyes out in my car because I didn't have 300 dollars and I was pretty sure I was going to transfer anyway and that was sort of the moment where I realized, I didn't really have any other options at that point right? So I've been through those moments, where you're kind of wondering am I going to be able to complete this journey, and just feeling the weight of everything can kind of fall in the way of successfully completing…so I think empathy and relating back to some of the struggles I had and just letting students know that they're not alone, it's a challenge for everybody to get to the finish line in their education and many of our students have extraordinary challenges but we have a whole world of alumni out there who have overcome those challenges and are successful today and that's a model for our students I think.

Q: What has been the most rewarding experiences and the most challenging? How do you position yourself to produce a positive outcome from a challenging situation?

A: I think the most rewarding thing for me is when we're really able to help students resolve a situation that keeps them on track to graduation, it's wonderful to see all the students at graduation, of course, we celebrate those moments but we have teams working within the division all day every day just to try to help keep students on track and remove any barriers to their success and so, you know, seeing and hearing stories about students who are in situations where they might not be able to continue if not for what we're able to provide, which can sometimes be a mini-grant, sometimes it can be helping students find more scholarship funding, that's the most rewarding piece is just watching students be able to stay on their journey and make progress and go out in the world and do great things.

Q: What have you learned from working with students in the university? What do you hope students learn from you in return?

A: What have I learned from students? I am consistently impressed doesn't begin to cover, I'm blown away by our student's commitment and resilience, some of the stories students tell us about the challenges that they face and they still continue to find a way to be here every day is just, it blows me away so part of what I learned from our students is just that that commitment to learning it really can help move you through if there are appropriate supports available can help move you through any challenge and kind of stay on your path and I sort of knew that but I see that reinforced all the time and that's really beautiful so I'm grateful to our student for that. What do I hope that they've learned from me is just to never give up, when I was overseeing field support teams, I was at the Department of Education… we sometimes had tough days, there were a lot of barriers, so what I used to tell my teams was it's okay to fall down, it's okay to go home feeling defeated, I had a lot of end of the day phone calls with folks who had kind of been through it that day and I said feel everything you're feeling it's totally fair to be there, you got to get up tomorrow and start again and fight another day and I preached that to them because it's a mantra that I live by so I hope that that comes across to my colleagues and our students as well.

Q: How does the Division of Student Success and Retention collaborate with other departments at Kean University? What initiatives or programs are in place to ensure students are aware of the resources?

A: We do very little in the division that is not in partnership with others across the university, as our President [Repollet] reminds us, student success is everyone's responsibility, that means literally every single person who is a part of the campus community and so we're all about building bridges and working with our colleagues to try to supplement all of the great work that they're doing and kind of galvanize everybody around a common mission to help our students persist to graduation. We're very fortunate we have wonderful colleagues across the university who are just as committed as we are to helping every single student get to the finish line. Let me think of some of the key collaborations that we've taken part in we had an advising task force that generated a report on making recommendations for what advising should look like at Kean moving forward  CAPS is our advising center, the Center for Advising Persistence and Success and it does sit within the division, but the advising task force is composed of folks from all across the university and as we work toward implementing those goals, we're still midway through implementing the recommendations that were included in that report and the implementation has included stakeholders from all across the university and that's the way that we prefer to do things because we really want to make sure that that's part of how we spread the word about what we offer right? It's about making sure that all of our colleagues are aware but also when we collaborate with our colleagues, we are able to sometimes identify barriers for students that we might not otherwise and so that's a critical part of our success.

Q: How does this Division keep pace with current trends in technology and academic learning?

A: I'm not going to lie, it can be tough, things move quickly and things change quickly and AI  is a perfect example of that so we are always focused on professional learning we try to make sure that everyone in the division has access to attending professional learn events bot on campus and off campus and in other locations, and we sure resources with each other every day so we all read what's going on, if we can't get out to a conference we may participate in a webinar on something like AI right and how it applies to our work and then we try to share that information amongst ourselves its hard sometimes in the business of day to day to stop and focus on the professional learning but if we don't keep up with what's going on then we're not going to be as effective for our students… we try to share information the best ways that we can and we try to just make sure that everyone is engaged in that professional learning and that everyone has opportunities to engage in different ways in that learning.

We would like to extend a big thank you to Senior Vice President Katherine Gallagher for participating in our Women in Action series. We acknowledge her success and commitment to the betterment of Kean's student population and for being a spokesperson for students who face obstacles during their college careers.

Stay tuned for more empowering stories featured on Women In Action at Kean in our series throughout the remainder of the month.

The women on the panel were Brittany Claybrooks, Melissa Langley, and Crystal A. Orr. Students were invited to ask the women questions about their careers and how they managed to handle the stressors that accompany it.  

Justin Jimerson, an Exercise Science major and junior from Edison stated why he attended the event. 

"I decided to come to Queens in Motion because it is very important to learn about how far black women have come and how powerful they really are." 

Brittany Claybrooks, an Urban Planning Professional and one of the panelists for Queens in Motion, expressed what she hoped the attendees would learn from the conversation. 

"I hope that people walk away with understanding that it's okay to still take up more space and that there's still work to do...recognizing how important our voices are, as we are, and not waiting until we get to some place in life where we think it becomes better. I want people to understand how important who they are right now is and what their role can be in making a change." 

Each of the panelists shared that to be a Queen in Motion means being able to help others, be the backbone of your community, and empower others to pursue their dreams. Also, it is not just about yourself. We are supposed to lift others up and surround ourselves with people who are about change. This encourages the generations after us to have confidence in doing the same. 

Keyara Gaillard, a Psychology and Exercise Science major and junior from Jersey City shared her view on the event. 

"I feel like it's important to see black women in this space and lifted up in this light. I just wanted to learn more what they do and just really wanted to get more knowledge on their professions. I want to walk away with more confidence and see how they project it unto us." 

Based on their experiences and where they are now, the ladies stressed the importance of education and knowing where you want to be. They had moments in their lives where they doubted themselves and questioned their career paths. Looking back, they see that the hard work and dedication was worth it. 

Queens in Motion was an event that fostered great conversation and inspired Kean students to be confident and pursue their dreams. Students walked away knowing that it is about surrounding yourself with mentors and people who are doing positive things and that patience and knowledge are keys to longevity. 

There was a variety of options for students to choose from for any occasion. Racks were filled with dresses, ties, suits, and blouses for students to shop from. The Cougar Pop Up Shop always has an impressive turnout with an overwhelming number of students attending the event in search of professional and casual clothing to wear without cost. 

Shakti Moore, a Psychology and Film double major and freshman from Plainfield, stated why she decided to come to the event. 

"I actually went last semester, and it was really fun. I work in the Office of Admissions so my everyday clothes aren't really things I can wear to work...I'm just here to get stuff for work and cute clothes because they have really nice stuff here." 

Veronica Vila, an English major and junior from Linden, shared how she was choosing clothing pieces that would cultivate a sophisticated style. 

"I come every semester whenever they do it because it's a really good way to find new things that I need [like] bags and clothing for professional attire," shared Vila. 

"I've gotten a bunch of blazers from here. It definitely elevates my clothing and the way that you present yourself when you go to an interview or a conference. It's about having resources available." 

Juan Gavilanes, a Computer Science major and freshman from Ecuador, was excited about the suit selection available. 

"[The clothes] are really good. It actually helps me a lot because I was looking for a suit but it's too expensive. Here, I got a free suit basically." 

Annette Parada, a Communications major and junior from Union City used the event to prepare for the Career Fair. 

"It's free and we have the Career Fair coming up so I thought it would be a great opportunity to come and expand my closet and pick out some new pieces that I can wear for the Career Fair." 

Upon leaving the Pop-Up Shop, students were able to visit tables that offer help and resources like NJ Snap, the Offices of Scholarship Services, Financial Aid, and Student Retention and Educational Innovation.  

Liz O'Donnell, Lead Social Worker in Cougar Connections Center of Social Work, presented a table that asked students to write down what their significant expense is as a college student. 

"We chose this question because our office supports students who are experiencing basic needs challenges and a lot of their core issues is a lack of funding to purchase things that they need to live on a day-to-day basis like housing, food, finances, things like that," stated O'Donnell. 

"So, we wanted to know if they're coming here for clothing what might their other needs be. So, a good question to get that is 'What is your biggest college expense?' And the answers have been transportation, food, and the biggest one is textbooks." 

There was a spread of food that all who were participating in the event could enjoy while learning more about the offices that are available for support and guidance as they continue their academic journey. 

Each semester many students look forward to the Cougar Pop Up Shop. The event supports the university's mission to assist and empower students in their academic career. 

The Student Affairs Basketball Night of Support was held in Harwood Arena and featured the women's and men's basketball games against William Paterson University. The first 100 students of each game were given complimentary Student Life t-shirts and other Kean merch. 

Vice President for Student Affairs, Kerrin Lyles, shared the purpose of the event. 

"Tonight gives us an opportunity, as far as the Student Affairs Division, to support both our men's and women's basketball teams. We enjoy doing stuff like this to continue to bring awareness of what our athletes are doing," expressed Lyles. 

"It's really just an opportunity for us to make sure that we get our students out there. Students that really don't normally participate and come out to these events." 

In addition to the basketball game, the KU Dance Club performed during halftime and the KU Cheer Team ignited spirit and engagement within the crowd. 

Breanna Taylor, a freshman and Psychology major from Woodbridge shared why she decided to support the event and what possessing Kean spirit means to her. 

"I decided to get out my dorm and see the Cheerleading team because I do want to join the Cheerleading team next year. Just coming out, participating, being here and involved is a way to show your Spirit." 

The night was filled with fun and entertainment as students and faculty cheered with Kean spirit. Students also had the opportunity to participate in the halftime contests. During the women's basketball game, there was a lay-up, free throw, and 3-pointer contest, while the men's basketball game had a 3-point contest. The winner from the women's halftime show received a Kean sweatshirt and the winner from the men's basketball game, Chas Cadmus, a junior and Physical Education major from New Providence, won a 65-inch TV. He shared his excitement and how stunned he was about his victory against three other contestants. 

"It was fun. I honestly didn't expect to be chosen for this. My girlfriend was actually the reason I signed up for it...I didn't even know I was gonna win a prize. I just wanted to play basketball," stated Cadmus. 

"It's probably not gonna hit me until tomorrow morning but it definitely feels great." 

The Student Affairs Basketball Night of Support attracted a large crowd and successfully informed students about the university's basketball teams. The night was filled with fun and thrilling contests that displayed the competitive and unifying side of our university. 

Click the link to watch Student Affairs Night: Heart, Hustle & Hoops! 💙🏀 Best Moments 🔥

Natalia Andeliz, the SLMT Social Media Manager, had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Genique Stanislaus, Executive Director of the Kean Wellness Center for the first installment of the Women in Action series.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in health? What steps have led you to become the Executive Director of the Wellness Center? 

A: I come from a long line of healthcare providers and civil service workers, so service has always been in my bloodline. It's something that I've always been passionate about, and I knew from a very young age I was going to go into healthcare. I've pursued several degrees in nursing and certifications and that's really prepared me for my role now. I definitely have always looked at the impact of health and wellbeing and how it impacts our community. So, I definitely have taken a path of researching that a little bit more, finding out how my role as a healthcare provider can impact others around us. Several steps in my career has led me to Kean University and becoming the Executive Director of the Wellness Center. 

Q: What is your definition of wellness and how do you ensure that the Wellness Center reflects your vision? 

A: I think we need to think of wellness outside of physical wellbeing. I think it's a lot of mental, social, emotional wellbeing. So, I think if we move beyond just the physical sense of wellbeing, we can really capture wellness as a whole. Wellness is really about balance, resilience, and access to care. If we take all of that as a whole, we're incorporating wellness into our daily living. We are not always going to be in wellbeing and wellness. We have to find a balance between all of it. What the Wellness Center does is we take several offices; we've created an environment where you can get holistic comprehensive care. You can come to one location, you can access your mental health, your physical health, you can access accessibility. We have the food pantry there and we've created just a really safe environment that's judgement free, so that students can come and really attack all the different elements of wellness and wellbeing. 

Q: What is an initiative or program that you are proud of and that has been proven effective on the Kean campus? 

A: We've done a lot of initiatives at the Wellness Center since I've started about three years ago. I think one of the things that really is important to me is not only the mental wellbeing of students and the accessibility but it's the physical wellbeing. At Student Health Services, we have Wellness Wednesdays that we do, and we tackle different topics. We do prevention health, we do education, we do vaccines, we do flu shots. We really want to make our students global health citizens. When they leave Kean, the wellness that they learn here is something that they can bring outside of it. So, working with Health Services and making sure that we are doing outreach on campus outside of the Wellness Center is really important. Students don't necessarily need to come to us to understand what's happening with them, we go to them. That's one of the things I'm really proud of. 

Q: In what ways do you aid the Wellness Center in adapting to the health and wellness trends? 

A: Even outside of being an active student, we're constant learners. So, what I do is I make sure I'm up to date on research and trends. I go to conferences; I speak to other wellness coordinators [because] I have to educate myself every day to know what's going on in the community not just the Kean community but the community at large. One thing I would say to students is never stop learning, never stop educating yourself, and never stop really keeping up to date on what's happening. I do a lot of data collection at the Wellness Center. We collect our data and based on what we collect, that's how we develop programs for students. We know that flu is something that's in our environment right now, so we do flu clinics for students, and we do it for employees as well. We know that mental health has been a struggle for students, so we do outreach, we do groups. It's about collecting data, using that information to develop programs so we can meet students where they are and make sure that we're addressing their needs.  

Q: What has been the general response from students that have used the Wellness Center's services? 

A: We've had an overwhelmingly positive response. It's always so meaningful when a student takes the time out of their day to email me and to let me know that they've interacted with one of my team members or they've interacted with an office. Because of that interaction we have created more stability, and we've changed the situation for them. It's always so meaningful to get that feedback from students knowing that it's not just about coming into the office and seeing someone [but] that the person that they saw or that the office they interacted with actually had a really positive and meaningful impact on them. That's the most positive thing that we get. We get feedback from students that they enjoy the renovations, they enjoy our accessibility services. So, it's just really positive to know that we're impacting our students. 

Q: What are your long-term goals for the Wellness Center? What resources would be needed to reach those goals? 

A: When we are talking about long term goals, I think beyond Kean. We don't want the students just to benefit from our services while they're here. One of the things that we talk about a lot is we want students to be aware of their healthcare needs, we want them to have access to healthcare services, and we want them to be able to advocate for themselves. My long-term goal is to create programs and education where we increase awareness, access, and advocacy for our students so that when they leave Kean, they're able to take these things that they learned here, and they are able to implement them in their life going forward. And what we need to do to be able to do that is we need to have a greater footprint on campus. We need to get outside of the Wellness Center, we need to be on campus, strategically placed so that we can interact with students. Not when they're sick, when they have anxiety or depression, but even on the days that they feel good, we want to let them know that we're still here for you. We have education programs; we have outreach programs that are available to the students. We also want to make sure that they know that we are a safe place for them to come. We have students that come in, they don't know what they need but they end up in the Wellness Center. We're able to identify that maybe it's not us that you need. Maybe we connect you with your Academic Advisor, we connect you with a tutor. So, I just want a long-term goal to have a greater footprint on campus and I want students to be able to leave here with an awareness that they're valued and that they're important and that they can advocate for themselves after they leave Kean. 

Q: In regard to overall health and wellness, what do you wish students knew more about, or advice would you give to students? 

A: I think the most important thing is to know that there are so many resources on campus for students. I think there are resources that students don't even know exist. So, I think informing yourself and making sure that you are aware of what is available to you as students is one of the most important things. Because if it's something that I can't provide at the Wellness Center, we're going to connect you to those resources. So being aware of what's available. You guys are here for four years plus, why not take advantage of some of the resources that are here for you. Also knowing that if your institution can't offer you resources, you need to connect with outside resources. You need to advocate for yourself, you need to speak up for yourself whether its academic, whether its health, you need to make sure that you're advocating for what you need on a daily basis because honestly when it comes to down to it, you're going to be your best advocate you're going to be the best person that's going to say this is what I need right now, this is what I need help with. So, I think the most important thing to teach young people beyond being here when they leave the university is always advocate for yourself, always make sure that you're aware of the resources, make sure you have access to those resources. 

We would like to thank Dr. Genique Stanislaus for taking the time to participate in our Women in Action series. It was an honor to feature the accomplishments and efforts that contribute greatly to the actions of the Wellness Center and the Kean University community. Look out for more empowering stories throughout the month of March.

Watch part 1 of the Women in Action series, here:
"Women in Action" Series PT. 1 Featuring - Dr. Genique Stanislaus 

The event started with an introduction to the e-board and a short speech from the club's President, Virginie Gilbert. But to officially begin the festivities, all attendees stood for the Haitian National Anthem sung by four members of the HSA.

The night was full of food, music, and fun. A soul train line with a 25-dollar cash prize, a game of "Are you really Haitian?" where participants were quizzed on Haitian culture, and a poem done in Haitian creole on having pride in your culture. 

Students were excited to show off their culture with dance performances exhibiting traditional Haitian moves and dances like Kompa and with cultural foods like plantain, diri djondjon aka Haitian black rice, and mac au gratin or Haiti's prized mac and cheese.

It was an event to remember and a beautiful show of how culture unifies people. Kean students were full of love and passion as they represented the culture of the island.

Tania Edmond, a junior and Psychology major from Union, NJ, who was in the thick of the music and dancing happening on the dance floor, talked about what she loved most about her culture.

"I love everything about my culture, but if I have to choose, music is my favorite part," she expressed. "When you listen to it, you're like this is us, it's like you can hear Haiti, we have a distinct sound; I love it."

As life was celebrated on the dance floor, it allowed all of Kean's Haitian students like Edmond to reflect on what they admire about their culture and how they feel sharing it with others,

Shukuran Adewolde, a junior and Exercise Science major from Newark, NJ, spoke on the generosity of Haitian people when it comes to outsiders participating in their culture.

"There's no discrimination at all!" said Adewolde. "If you want to dance to Kompa, you dance to Kompa, if you want to eat some food, you can join and eat some food; we don't discriminate."

And as the music continued to play and attendees ate their Haitian dinner, various people of all cultures were seen enjoying and honoring the spirit of the island.

Haiti is its people: passionate, strong, and vibrant. 

Wilda Bauge, a junior and Supply Chain Management major and current New Jersey resident, had one thing to say about her culture, something many students agreed on.

"I love everything about my culture," she said. "We're all family here!"

And as the night came to an end, the spirit of Haiti continued, unwavering in its boldness.

The Atrium was decorated with classic books and vinyl records created by black authors and musicians, and large photographs of African Americans with a brief description explaining what they have contributed to history. Students used this information to fill out a fun crossword puzzle to receive a gift bag with a complimentary t-shirt included.  

A jazz band passionately played music in the background as students learned more about the African American culture and took pictures in the photo booth.  

Khyla Williams, a freshman and Communications/ Media and Film major from Newark came to Rooted Legacy to embrace her culture. 

"Being that I am African American, I wanted to see what Kean was offering with this event and how it connects back to my culture." 

Additionally, there was a beautiful dance performance and a personal poem read by students that portrayed the beauty and triumph of African American culture. 

Not only did Kean P.U.L.S.E. display influential figures but they also had a table where students match the invention to the inventor. 

Taniyah Drayton, a freshman and Public Health major from Linden shared her favorite part of the event. 

"I would say the matching game. I learned a lot about the different trailblazers and how they have contributed to our inventions and innovation," shared Drayton. 

"I definitely learned some new names. I was happy to actually get three [correct]." 

As attendees walked around the Atrium, they were welcomed to refreshments like mocktails from The Bar and cultural foods such as collard greens, chicken and waffles, and macaroni and cheese. 

Julie Martinez-Landa, a junior and Journalism major from Elizabeth stated how delightful the food was and how she enjoyed the smooth jazz. 

"The music [is my favorite] because I love jazz, and the food is just delicious." 

Rooted Legacy was an event that beautifully highlighted the figures, inventors, and critical moments that continue to shape our culture. Students happily engaged in the event while learning something new that they can carry with them into their futures in honor of Black History Month. 

There were two sessions a different group of students each and they all agreed on how effective and knowledgeable the experience was and that they absolutely walked away learning something new.

"I learned about simple assault and how to better define misdemeanors and infractions," said Rashaad Couloote, a graduate student studying Forensic Psychology. "My mom used to work in courtrooms and I used to want to be a lawyer growing up… so I just wanted to see how Kean would tackle legal proceedings.

Couloote studied criminal justice during undergrad and was one of many students familiar with the court system who still discovered new information.

"I'm considering law school after this so it was very interesting," said Jubilee Rendon, a junior Criminal Justice major. "In this type of case [I learned] with defamation they don't really need to bring any witnesses."

The case was Batzel vs Smith, Smith bringing Batzel to court for defamation, but unfortunately for Smith, people like Batzel are protected by the Communications Decency Act which protects internet companies from lawsuits regarding user content, a concept new to many students.

Besides the mock trial, there were other activities students could participate in between breaks like trivia games where students identify a crime, misdemeanor and infraction and true or false questions surrounding court rules.

"I didn't know that petty assault and the other things discussed were both a part of misdemeanors, I thought petty offenses were just infractions but it wasn't, they're considered misdemeanors just two different types," said Bobbi Perry, a Computer Science major who has done many mock trials before.

Another student, Nicole Rodriguez an Art Education major with a minor in Art History and currently works with kids also stated that things she learned during the event will be something she uses in the future.

"I learned what a misdemeanor and infraction is…[and] some interesting jargon that I'll definitely be using with my kids."

In the end, Kean Pulse left students with useful information and fun treats like donut holes and bottled drinks but students walked away comfortably for whatever future jury duty may have for them.

From speaking on panels, lecturing and showing up to campus events dedicated to human rights, Mandela made a lasting impression on Kean.

Monday, November 11th was the Day of Service for Mandela at Kean and many students attended events like Lunch with Ndaba Mandela and Student Leaders, a presentation on food security, and the Catch a Fire Film Screening and Discussion where students viewed a movie about the fight against the apartheid in South Africa.

November 12th was geared towards Sports for Social Change and Advocacy. Mandela talked with sports executives in a panel and later attended a field day program with the executives, Kean student-athletes and local youth groups.

Friday, November 15th, Mandela spoke at the Diversity Council High School Leadership Conference and discussed with Human Rights Institute Program Coordinator, Mindy Goldstein and Kean student leaders on the aspects of leadership and organizing. 

However, it was Thursday, November 14th that the Kean community-staff, faculty, students and alumni- truly showed up for. The morning of that day was the Human Rights and NGO Career Fair where local NGOs and other Non-profit Organizations presented to students what they were all about. 

But that afternoon at 3:15 p.m. Kean hosted the first of its Distinguished Lecture Series including a Q&A with Ndaba Mandela, led by Dr. David Jefferson Jr. the Acting Director of the Center for Africana Studies at Kean, in the North Ave Academic Building. 

Attendees were grateful for the insight into activism and social justice that Mandela spoke of. A specific group of students who are committed to staying involved on campus took his words of advice to heart and were appreciative of his dedication to educating others on and discussing what it means to participate in the fight in human rights.

"He mentioned a phrase that we all know… if you want to go fast, you go by yourself and if you want to go far you go together, and I feel like in this society that we live in today it's very individualistic everybody's trying to do things on their own," commented Annie Exi, a senior History Education major at Kean. "We lost a sense of community, so hearing that today reminded me that it's ok to lean on the people around me in order to get far in life,"

Exi is part of the Haitian Student Association (HSA) and in the past has participated in the Kean gospel choir, her peers Cynthia Pierre, Secretary of the HSA and Lydie Philippe, Vice President of the HSA also had moments of the lecture that truly stuck with them.

"One thing that he said that I really loved, was when he mentioned the name of his book Going to the Mountain and talked about the different struggles, we [Black people] often go through," said Pierre, a junior English and Early Childhood Education major. "So even when we make it past one thing there's something else… it's always more of the mountain we have to climb, "

Philippe, a senior English and Elementary Education major also added, "When he was saying don't pour into anybody else's stuff until you've poured into yours, that spoke to me, " she explained. "You can't help someone else until you can help yourself."

Mandela's lecture provided great insight into the duty of someone who is present and involved in ensuring that equity and equality are extended to all people regardless of race, religion, gender identity, and sexuality. He spoke of his journey and the influences of his grandfather but reminded the audience that those stories and experiences aren't what makes him a good leader.

"A leader isn't somebody who is number one, a leader is not somebody who is the best, a leader is somebody who serves," Mandela stated.

And that statement has settled in the hearts of the Kean community.

Before distributing the makeover budget, suitemates of each residence hall had to submit a video answering why they thought their suite should be chosen and what enhancements they would make. Student Affairs staff reviewed the submissions, and the chosen suites were given a $500 budget and two weeks to transform their entire space. The Student Affairs' Director of Communications and Marketing, Arion Jamerson, is overseeing the contest and explains why it's an important initiative. 

"I love this contest as it brings together the suitemates and furthers their bonds as they strategize to redesign their spaces. It also gives the University the opportunity to find new ways to directly financially assist and connect with the students as we get to come into their home away from home," said Jamerson. 

The Quad Makeover Contest was judged by Kean professional staff including Kerrin Lyles, Vice President of Student Affairs; La Toro Yates, Ph.D., Vice Present of Enrollment Mangement; Punit Patel, Director of Residence Life; and Jason Pleitez, Office of the President. Each suite was judged on creativity, functionality, use of the budget, and the Kean housing guidelines. The judges went to each suite and talked with the students about their decisions. 

Punit Patel, the Director of Residence Life, shared his thoughts on the annual Quad Makeover Contest. 

"I'm excited for this year's annual Quad makeover Contest to really see what our students did as they were transforming their spaces into a more cohesive living environment with the guidelines," said Patel. 

The contestants from Burch Hall #309 shared their inspirations and steps they took to revamp their living spaces. 

"I would say we definitely wanted something very comfortable ... very relaxing and something nice just to come back to. For example, the vines. We had wanted something earthy, something therapeutic, so that was definitely a good choice," Jade Fuentes. 

The contestants from Burch Hall #405 explained their design decisions. 

"As you can see, everything's not like a specific color or specific design. It's just like all of our personalities combined," said Ruby Crowell. 

"It just felt a lot more emptier when we first moved in, and now with all the stuff we got from the budget as well as what we incorporated by ourselves, we just added more of a home feel," said Zoe Ly. 

Contestants from Rogers Hall #301 wanted to decorate their space based on a shared feeling of belonging and unity. 

"The main reason why we chose these items specifically because we built a community within Kean University. Every time we hang out with our friends it's always in this dorm and we just make the best memories ever. And it's like a second home to them, because most of our friends are commuters," said Sheyla Farfan. 

"Previously, our suite had very minor decorations, we didn't have as much. But having this opportunity to revamp our room definitely changed the vibe of our entire space...Coming back to this room we are able to decompress," said Celina Luna. 

Contestants from Sozio Hall #508 took a different route and focused most of their funds on the shared areas in the suite. 

"We wanted to focus more on our shared spaces. When choosing items, we thought about what would fit with our vibes and in the space as well. We didn't decide on things that was personal to us, we chose items for the group and the form itself," said Doriella Paul. 

"I feel like once we focused on the common areas we can actually host here, have game nights. We can have people come over and it feels like a space you want to stay in," said Israel Peoples. 

The winner of the 2024-2025 Quad Makeover Contest is Sozio #508 suitemates Crystal Brito, Tatyani Gabourel, Doriella Paul and Israel Peoples. The suitemates impressively reimagined their space. The judges were intrigued by how they strategically used their budget to improve their suite and make it their own.  

Congratulations to the winners and all the suites who participated in the competition. 

Upon check-in, students were notified of all the student groups represented at the fair. After visiting at least five tables, they were rewarded with a bagel of their choice and a chance to play a fun game of Spin the Wheel in honor of National Bagel Day.  

Student groups present at the event included the Venezuelan Columbian Student Association Club, the Kean Crochet Club, National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW), Ecuadorian Student Association (ASECU), Girl Gains KU, Kean Catholics, KU Anime Society, and Greek organizations.  

Hope Gelvoligo, the Co-External Director of Public Relations of Filipinos Uniting Nations at Kean (F.U.N.K.) explained the intentions of their club. 

"This is the Filipino club here at campus and basically our purpose is to just teach everyone about Filipino culture. You don't have to be Filipino to join, it's open to everyone." 

Another set of inclusive organizations represented were Girl Gains KU, Kean Esports Club, and Kean Unified Sports. They presented information to get more students involved recreationally.

Kimberly Rosado, the President of Girl Gains Kean University detailed what new members can look forward to. 

"We are Girl Gains at Kean University. We are a nationwide club. We are here to empower women and get women comfortable in the gym, provide a safe place for anyone there no matter who you are, what you do, what you like to do [...] we do Pilates, yoga, weightlifting. We talk about nutrition, and we host meetings." 

Many students attended the fair in hopes of discovering organizations that will spark their interests and help them meet people who share similar pursuits. 

Catherine Dustin, a sophomore and History major from Garwood shared that she came to the event to preview the clubs and organizations she would potentially join.

"I would just go straight to class [...] I need to get out there more you know see around campus. So, I figured it would be a great way to get involved, it's in the name." 

The Spring 2025 Involvement Fair was an exciting event that displayed the diversity of the university. With several options to choose from, students can comfortably find a way to get more involved at Kean. Hopefully, everyone found their spark!  

On the day of the event, Kean P.U.L.S.E. revealed six locations where students can engage in the culture of a specific country and receive a complimentary T-shirt. The locations included Harwood Arena, MSC Atrium, the Viser Room of the Nancy Thompson Learning Commons, Hynes Building, Greenlane Lobby, and East Campus. All students were welcomed to indulge in the cultural foods and experience the customs of the country represented, like authentic coffee from Italy in Harwood Arena and the breathtaking Northern Lights of Norway in the Viser Room. 

Nala Washington, a sophomore and Exercise major from Williamstown stated why she decided to take part in the event. 

"I was just in the Miron Student Center, and I saw it. I know Kean P.U.L.S.E. usually has like interesting activities, so I just thought I'd see what it was about." 

Of the many tables in the Atrium, the United Kingdom table was decorated with tea and shortbread fingers representing the customs of the country.

Jordyn Parker, a junior and Speech Pathology major from Bloomfield shared what she was most excited to see at Epcot at Kean. 

"The different cultures and countries that you could learn from and see, especially the UK which is pretty cool." 

Ana Ortiz, a sophomore and Psychology major from Union City explored Epcot at Kean based on previous fun events hosted on campus. 

"It just looked fun. It's a good event to go to on the first day. See new people and just have fun. I like the events on campus, it's always something interesting." 

She also shared what she was looking forward to. 

"There were corndogs in East Campus...that seemed really cool, and the Northern Lights were really cool in the library."

Students walked into a dark room illuminated by projector screens showcasing the mesmerizing blue and green lights of Norway.

Giavonni Boyd, a freshman and Psychology major from Avenel stated the foods and drinks she enjoyed during her Kean travels. 

"I've tried shortbread cookies; I got some of the tea. I was really excited to try the Moroccan rose it sounds very extravagant. 

Similar to the United Kingdom table, the Moroccan section displayed delicious tea in beautiful teacups.

Epcot at Kean was a great event to kick off the new semester. Students traveled the world while on campus reuniting with friends, experiencing different cultures, and creating more memories. 

The migration to Microsoft 365 comes at a time when preparation and the necessary tools are needed for life beyond college. The university believes that the movement will prepare students for the workforce. 

The members of the Kean IT department explained that Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 are similar and the migration for students will take place from January to February 2025. It is important for students to note that their documents will not be deleted but copied over to the new platform and their emails will be the same.  

Microsoft 365 has many upsides such as more storage which includes 100 GB for Outlook and 1 TB for One Drive. There is also an increase in security and unity between everyone on the campus community. Students can also customize their settings to look like Google if they dislike the default Microsoft settings.  

In addition, students are welcome to download the Microsoft apps or just access the apps through their web base versions.  

Everyone in the Kean community must migrate to Microsoft 365. If students fail to do so, they will not receive emails or files needed for their academics and communication. 

If students still have questions or concerns about the transition, they can book an appointment in the Technology Building from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. or visit www.kean.edu/m365 for videos and self-guided learning.  

Ameena Mohassib, a Biology Health Professions major and junior from Brooklyn, New York stated the purpose of this event. 

"We're just having a Charity Ball event for the Muslim Student Association. We're trying to raise money for the less fortunate. It's been going great." 

Mardhiat Ajetunmobi, a Biotechnology major and sophomore from Newark shared the significance of the Charity Ball. 

"We're having a Charity Ball to raise funds for charity to help humanitarian causes around the world and to just give back to the community," said Ajetunmobi. 

"Charity is a very big part. We have five pillars of Islam like five things that make you a Muslim and charity is a really big part of it...The more you give, the more you have in your pocket, the wealthier you get. And it's very important for us as Muslims, it's a part of our religion, it's a part of our faith to give back as much as we can." 

Bobbi Perry, a Computer Science major and junior from Irvington shared why he came to the event. 

"Actually, it's because my friend asked me to come with her. However, I'm never against going somewhere that will teach me something about a culture or religion I'm not a part of, as long as I'm allowed of course. I learned a lot and the food is good as I expected." 

Perry shared what he learned. 

"I learned about how deeds are viewed like the way of a deed. If you have less but you give all that you got or as much as you can, it's much heavier than saying - like the example he gave is if you're only a millionaire, you only gave fifty dollars while if you only had like ten dollars and you gave five how that weighs more which makes sense but I didn't know in terms of Islam how it worked exactly." 

The association also had plenty of food for the guests to indulge in. They were able to raise money for people in need and proudly represent their religion. The night ended on a great note with the people a part of the Muslim Student Association taking pictures and educating others about their faith.  

The MSC Atrium was adorned with beautiful traditional Lunar New Year decorations. There were long lines of students eager to indulge in delicious cultural cuisines like Chicken Lo Mein, chicken dumplings, and vegetable dumplings. There was also different flavored Bobba tea for attendees to explore.  

Edith Chukwuele, a Cybersecurity major and freshman from Newark, shared her excitement for learning about the culture and traditions of Lunar New Year. 

"I decided to come to the event because it's always nice to learn about something new. I've never seen a Chinese event or like Chinese New Year, so coming here, I feel like I get to see new experiences and learn about their traditions." 

Christopher Vallas, a Computer Science major and senior from Wallington stated how he appreciates the university's effort in celebrating different cultures. 

"I think it's a cool celebration of Chinese New Year. [It's cool] that our school gets to do this and we get to see the culture of the Chinese people. Also, there's a lot of free stuff and free food that we get to not only see but experience it." 

The students enjoyed the delicious flavors of the traditional Chinese cuisine. There were also pamphlets and fans for students to wave proudly to represent their culture. 

Pingxin Wang, a Business Analytics major and senior from China, expressed his excitement and curiosity for the event. 

"Well, I am Chinese, I did not get to have the Lunar New Year in my home country and of course I want to come to this and meet new people. I just want to check out the food and see if there are real tradition Chinese food around here." 

There was also traditional Chinese music as well as a dance performance from the Chinese Dragon. 

Lunar New Year was a great event that brought the entire campus community together to celebrate our diversity as a university. The university aims to acknowledge and recognize the backgrounds and differences that make our community unique.  

From 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. students interacted with different organizations to learn more about scholarship opportunities while enjoying a full breakfast spread.  

There were also other organizations such as the First Gen Mentoring Program and the Nancy Thompson Learning Commons tabling to inform students about the programs and resources available for assistance. Kean students were also rewarded with Kean merch and candy from playing a fun game of Spin the Wheel. 

Yurisa Santos, Associate Director of Scholarship Services and one of the coordinators of the event shared their purpose.  

"Today's event is to promote our scholarship application. So, it's a Kean University Foundation Scholarship Application. It opened up December 1st with a priority deadline of March 1st. We wanted to make an event to let students know that we are on campus," shared Santos. 

"We also want to help students; we want to connect students with scholarships. And then we also took the opportunity to collaborate with the Retention Office and with Nancy Commons as well just to bring to awareness because they have some great resources as well and a lot of students may not know about it. We just wanted to spread the word and promote our application." 

The scholarship is open to all students and applications will still be accepted after the March 1st deadline as long as funding allows.  

Many of the students walked away with more knowledge about the available scholarships and programs for academic guidance and support. 

For more information or questions about the scholarship application, students can visit the 1st floor of the Administration Building or go to www.kean.edu/scholarships. Students can also email the department at scholarships@kean.edu.  

Students delighted in a delicious early morning meal from Keanu Breakfast on Monday to kick-off the week and enjoyed playing games during Bingo Brunch the next day. While students were playing games like "X Marks the Spot," they were able to eat burgers, mozzarella sticks, waffles, chicken fingers, and eggs.   

Alyssa Jones, a Public Health major and junior from Piscataway, shared that she attended Bingo last semester and what she enjoyed about Bingo Brunch. 

"I enjoy the food. I enjoy the prizes, and I enjoy Bingo," said Jones. 

On Wednesday, Kean students and staff were delighted to share their voices during Karaoke with Keanu. With a DJ, a ministage, projections and TVs around the room, the activity was a great and interactive way to get students excited for and involved with Kean's 2024 Homecoming.

Isaiah Blue, a Music major and junior from Linden, shared his enjoyment for the event and even participated in Karaoke himself.

"It's good to see different genres of songs and styles of singing," he said. "I sang heartbreak anniversary [by Giveon]... this is a really cool event," said Blue.

There was a variety of songs, such as My Girl by Mindless Behavior, Anniversary by Tony! Toni! Toné! and Best Thing I Never Had by Beyoncé got the crowd hype and singing along. 

Another student, Laurie Theodule, a graduate Public Relations major also from Linden openly showed her enthusiasm for the event and shared her excitement for the rest of homecoming weekend.

"I am [ready for homecoming weekend], I did the fashion show [sneakball] and I am ready for the tailgate!" she said.

Karaoke with Keanu was all in all a great event that encouraged everyone to get involved with campus events and celebrate homecoming with one another.

On Friday, many Kean students attended the Pep Rally. Students participated in games like musical chairs, knockout, and tug of war. There was pizza, refreshments, cotton candy, and fried Oreos for participants to eat. Students were given free Kean merch like mini footballs, towels, and t-shirts.   

Samantha Nyitrai, a History Education major and freshman from South Brunswick, shared why she came to the Pep Rally. 

"It's close to home and they have a dance team that I get to be a part of," said Nyitrai.  

She also stated what she was looking forward to most. "Probably watching everyone like be funny and make a fool of themselves." 

Emily Wyskowski, an Elementary Education major and senior from Brick, came to the Pep Rally to watch the dance performance by Kean Dance Theatre.  

"I'm here to support my friends who are in Kean Dance Theatre and watch them perform," said Wyskowski.  

Students like Phoenix Stokes, a junior Political Science major and Criminal Justice minor from Philadelphia, was excited to be at the event was looking forward to the fun.

"I'm having fun, it's good to be here with my team, I do track and so it's good to be here with them," said Stokes. "I'm just here to have some fun and see some games, see some competition going on."

Alicia Garcua, a junior Early Childhood Education major, also voiced her enthusiasm and was happy to be enjoying her time with her fellow Cougars. 

"I am definitely [enjoying the event so far] cause I'm around a bunch of my classmates and I'm liking the vibe," Garcia said. "And I'm looking forward to seeing the dancers."

All of the events throughout the week allowed students to celebrate Homecoming and their Kean pride.

Read about the Homecoming Game and Homecoming Concert with Flo'Rida.

Danielle Fostek, a freshman and Biology major from Jackson shared why she decided to come to the event. 

"Well, I love doing art and my dad is a Fire Fighter, so I've worked with Breast Cancer stuff before. They do a fundraiser that I've also volunteered at. So, I wanted to come by and try to make some art for the event." 

She also explained what she drew on her canvas and the meaning of it. 

"I drew the breast cancer symbol with the words 'No one fights alone,' with some plants around it because the plants are growing. So, it shows that life can continue on like even though you might be struggling now, and they're all like working together in nature." 

Carla Varner, a senior and English Education major from Elizabeth detailed a personal story that connects her to the cause. 

"My mother was a cancer survivor. So, this is something that is near and dear to my heart. And I wanted to be able to show support in any way that I could." 

Mariela Rose, a sophomore and Forensic Psychology major from Deerfield, Massachusetts stated the significance of educating others about breast cancer. 

"My aunt died of breast cancer...You know there are a lot of different types of cancer, and I think that being a woman and having breast cancer is really impactful on identity," stated Rose.  

"There's a big community around having cancer and what that means to somebody and getting to remission if that's even possible, and just the hope and the prospect of surviving and what that means to people. It's really important and should be celebrated." 

Here at Kean University, the organizations and students take the month of October to honor and raise awareness about Breast Cancer. The month is filled with fun and heartwarming events that raise awareness about the health condition and express our compassion with encouraging messages.  

The Cougar Greens was filled with tables for students to sit and accessorize their pumpkins while listening to some Halloween themed music. Once Cougars checked in to the event, they were able to pick out a pumpkin of their choice from the many pumpkins laid out on the grass. Many students decorated their pumpkins with markers and stickers creating cats, bats, and silly pumpkin faces. 

Krystal Matos, freshman and Psychology major from Elizabeth, took this event as an opportunity to create memories with her friends. 

"I thought it was a cute idea, so I decided to come with friends." 

Amarylis Rodriguez, senior and Biology in Health Professions major from Woodbridge Township stated why she decided to attend the Pumpkin Patch. 

"I decided to come so I can de-stress from the semester so I'm really enjoying myself right now." 

She also shared how she decorated her pumpkin. 

"I'm putting on like a girly pumpkin. She has like lashes and blush on." 

Joshua Cherres, freshman and History Education major from Belleville also came to the Pumpkin Patch to do something memorable. 

"I haven't been to a Pumpkin Patch in years so I felt like it would be a good memory to be here." 

Bianca Evans, freshman and History Education major, from Scotch Plains enthusiastically shared her love for pumpkins.  

"I'm obsessed with pumpkins, and I love how cute they look when I decorate them." 

Evans detailed how she embellished her pumpkin. 

"I used some of the stickers provided and one of the stickers has a worm coming out of the eyes, so I named her Lady Wormington." 

Several students enjoyed decorating their pumpkins and having a wonderful time with friends. The Pumpkin Patch was a fun event that helped students to relax, enjoy the beautiful fall weather, and create new memories. 

Students were welcomed to a room filled with tables that represented various regions of the world. Kenya, Guyana, Turkey, Ghana, Ireland, and Nepal were featured during the event. Each table shared something different. For instance, Kenya's table displayed artwork from Wangechi Mutu, a Kenyan sculptor, Ireland offered colcannon, cookies, and Barry's Tea, and Nepal had virtual reality for students to experience. 

Angelica Pena, a Graphic Design major and freshman from Somerset explained why she decided to attend the event. 

"It kind of catch my eye. I thought it was gonna be about colors then I was like oh, it's a culture event. So, I wanted to see what you guys were representing." 

Cynthia Chang, a Communications major and freshman from Boonton was curious about the cultures present at Diversity of Colors. 

"I heard that they were talking about cultures, so I wanted to come see what it was about." 

She also stated which country she's found the most compelling. 

"I like the Ireland one. It seemed interesting." 

While some students were visiting different parts of the world, others were playing games for a chance to win prizes. Students had to spin the wheel and answer a question related to various cultures to win a prize of their choice like stuffed animals, lip balms, pins, markers, or Kean branded fanny packs. 

Abenna Frimpomaa, a Public Health major and sophomore from Ghana was excited to see her country represented at the event. 

"My country is here, Ghana, so I just came to see what's going on out here." 

Beatriz De Oliveira Girelli, a Psychology major and sophomore from Brazil detailed something valuable she has learned from the event.  

"That all cultures matter, and everyone has a different culture." 

Kean University emphasizes the importance of embracing diversity and the different cultures that make up our campus. The Diversity of Colors event was a representation of that principle. 

Chimaobi Odumuko, an Immunizing Pharmacist of the Kean Wellness Center explained the objective of the event. 

"Today, we are doing a flu clinic, myself and my coworker Taylor Williams. We are both in charge of the Wellness Center's Immunization Program...We have Union County here to help vaccinate students, faculty, and staff," stated Odumuko. 

 "We did one last month, one this month, and then next month we'll do one right before the holidays to see as many students and faculty and staff that will like to get vaccinated before they travel to home and visit family members. We're the Wellness Center so our goal is to make sure that everyone is healthy and protected." 

Many students took advantage of the services provided by the Kean Wellness Center. Last month, about 80 people registered and received the flu vaccine. Also, the university is a part of the New Jersey College & University Flu Challenge which has the purpose of raising vaccine rates among students. 

Rosario Chavez Mayoral, a sophomore and Biology major from Elizabeth stated why she decided to participate in the event. 

"Well right now I'm not insured. So having the ability to get a vaccine was great from the university. So, you know I thought why not just come down here and get my vaccine. I finally have it, I feel a little bit better now, so I won't get the flu." 

Breanna Hernandez, a graduate student and Public Administration major, detailed why it was important for her to take advantage and register for the vaccine. 

"I actually was really sick with COVID a couple of weeks ago. It was all flu-like symptoms, so it took me back to the last time I got the flu, and it just reminded me like I needed to get vaccinated, so I didn't get sick again. And then I got the email so I'm here." 

The Kean Wellness Center was able to treat students to a sweet treat while educating them on the positive impact of receiving a flu vaccine. The event was a success with many people from the Kean community participating in the challenge and prioritizing their health and well-being.  

After students received their Kean merch at check-in, they were welcomed to a Kean Blue Carpet and backdrops on each side of the carpet for picture moments. There was also a section where people could take a picture of their sneakers on a raised platform with the phrase "Rep Every Step" in the background. Once the event started, models were able to walk the sneaker runway in front of a panel of judges for a chance to win prizes.  

President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., shared the significance of the Sneaker Ball.  

"I'm excited about today. I think that today is an example of celebrating our cultural diversity here at Kean University," stated Repollet. 

"When you wear a sneaker- I'm a sneaker head- it's a demonstration and it shows everyone your style...At Kean University, each individual is different and we've created this environment, this ecosystem where people come on campus and feel safe about who they are."  

The President also shared his favorite pair of sneakers.  

"My favorite pair of sneakers right now might be the ones that I'm wearing today right now. They're the Equality Sneakers by LeBron James because I'm talking about diversity and they're black and white. So, it's a pair, one black, one white shoe. And I think it's appropriate to wear for today." 

After the Kean cheer team performed, there was a special guest performance by Zeddy Will and JerseyyJoe. The crowd certainly enjoyed dancing on the runway with them and participating in a dance battle.  

At the end of the night, free Kean branded sneakers were given to students, the winners of the of the Sneaker Ball Contest were named, and each participant was given a gift card.  

On Thursday, October 3rd, Flo Rida performed for this year's Homecoming Concert. Hundreds of students filled Wilkins Theatre highly anticipating a night full of nostalgia and memories.  

Emma Toledo, Mathematics major and freshman from West Orange shared why she came to the concert. 

"I thought it would be fun. My friends are all here, so I thought it was gonna be real nice and yeah, I hope it's hyped. I like concerts, I like seeing all this stuff live so I'm excited for that."  

Lia Trenery, a STEM Math Education major and freshman from Port Reading hoped that Flo Rida would perform one of her favorite songs. 

"Definitely Low, because I'm wearing UGG boots tonight for the song." 

Anthony Dotto, Early Childhood Education major and junior from Woodbridge looked forward to enjoying his first concert. 

"It's my first ever concert. Flo Rida was always an artist I liked." 

He also shared his favorite song from Flo Rida. 

"I liked Whistle for a while before it became a massive meme."  

Flo Rida performed several of his classics like Wild Ones, Move, Shake, Drop, and Low, and he brought another artist, Oya Baby, to perform her songs. He also autographed his sneakers and gave them to some people in the audience.  

Kean students enjoyed their time at the concert, even getting a chance to dance and sing with Flo Rida on stage. Everyone there was able to create fun memories that certainly added to the Kean 2K Homecoming experience! 

When entering, students were given a blank paper where 5 signatures from at least 5 tables would be placed. Committed to the challenge and wanting as much information as possible, Downs Hall became a maze of students taking in the resources on the majors available, minors and how to tailor them to your major and all the scholarship information and programs at Kean.

"I'm here to look at the different health programs that Kean offers and I'm also interested in criminal justice," said Arieana Asberry, a freshman here at Kean who is currently undecided. "Everything they offer is good, I'm just going around and seeing what I want to do."

The event was full of activity and students of all ages were present but a large number of them were Freshman, Class of 2028, the largest freshman class to attend Kean University. 

Class of 2028 has taken the advice of faculty and upperclassmen and are taking advantage of all Kean has to offer, from clubs to wellness resources and now major, minor and scholarship resources.

"I want to learn about more fields that are related to my major that I could minor in," said Sean Conway, a Freshman, Cell and Molecular Biology major."I only been to one table so far and it seems like there is a wide variety and everything has something to do with a major, I just went to the architecture table and they told me that there are ways architecture and medicine connect."

Another student who was interested in major and minor services Taylor Cassidy talked about her experience at the exploration fair as well.

"I'm interested in finding a minor that fits in with what I want to do.. I've looked into Criminology and Business Management just in case something doesn't work out or if I want to start my own practice," said Cassidy, a freshman Biology major

Downs Hall was a great place for the packed event which also included refreshments and snacks like chips, soda, water and snack bars. There was also a raffle in which students had the chance to win some Kean swag.

Not every student was there looking for majors and minors but some were also very interested in the Research programs.

"Since I'm in education with a concentration in English I don't get a minor but I know there's stuff other than major and minor information here," said Hailey Bressard, a freshman Education K-12 English major. "The research table was very interesting, I've always liked research and research and English go hand in hand and they have programs over the Summer and that sounds fun."

The Major and Minor Exploration Fair was an interactive and informative experience, it was great to see Kean's freshman utilize the school's resources while enhancing and further practicing the skills needed in their professional careers.

Class of 2028 will be a force to be reckoned with, their affinity for research and learning keeps us hopeful for the future.

Imposter Insights: Career Trick-or-Treat was an interactive Halloween event where students learned interview tips, took career tests to narrow down their future paths and practiced networking to figure out who the 3 imposters in the crowd were.

"[This has been] beneficial, they have a lot of stuff to get you ready for a career, internships and really getting to see what your career field is like and seeing what you want to do, said Quintin Duverece, a freshman Communications and Film major.

There were three tables at the event, besides the activities mentioned, there was also a spin-the-wheel game where students received a work scenario and answered based on their own understanding of job etiquette and simple policy.

There was also a table dedicated to giving students resources on Kean's Career Service's where students can receive resume tips and search for internships and job opportunities through.

"I learned where to get my resume updated if I need to," said Kinaysha Lorenzo, a junior Architecture major and another one of the imposters who took their role seriously. "I'm enjoying the theme and all the things they have available."

Upon check-in, attendees were given a small checklist showing each table they had to attend in order to fully participate in the overall activity of locating the 3 imposters and understanding the task of networking.

Students quickly learned how bold they had to be in the workplace and the importance of conversational skills in order to get more information from whomever they were speaking to. And all students who figured out at least one imposter received a Kean fanny pack.

Overall, all attendees walked away with resources and skills geared toward setting them up for success in the professional world.

"Internship season's coming up and …  so there's interview do's and don'ts and elevator pitch all these resources here are designed to help students with finding a career that matches their interest," said Nikita Kunte a junior Psychology and Psych Rehab who works with Kean Pulse and happened to be one of the imposters of the afternoon. "So I'm hoping students get as much as possible from this." 

"One of the things that we can do is make them [college students] aware of the the different resources in our county that can help them," said Julie Donohue, a volunteer with the National Alliance on Mental Health. 

The National Alliance on Mental Health or NAMI, is a nationwide organization whose mission is to change the general public's perspective on mental health and make sure people dealing with mental illness and other things have the correct resources to sustain their health.

NAMI has various smaller organizations in New Jersey including, support groups, groups for Black, Latinx, Asian and Indigenous people and groups for people part of the LGBTQ community.

Other help resources there included a way for students to use their faith as an outlet.

"Some of the resources here are how religion and spirituality can impact your mental health," said Lucia Pasternak, who is the Catholic Campus Minister for Kean. "Not everyone comes from a faith background…but I definetly believe that sometimes faith and psychology can go together.

Students were grateful for the resources as well as the acknowledgement of World Mental Health Day.

"I only found out about it [World Mental Health Day] today when I walked in," said Sophia Nazzaro, a senior Environmental Science major at Kean who also had her own story to share."I have a therapist and make sure I have some balance, enough sleep, enough human interaction, that I eat enough and sometimes that does mean I'm gonna have to skip out homework you know, sometimes you have to make decisions that are good for your mental health."

And many students agree with Nazzaro's sentiment in regards to making decisions surronounding mental health. Tazire Cadet, a senior Sociology minor in Criminal Justice major who uses massage therapy to relieve his mindset encourages students to take risks and to avoid self-isolation.

"Some people have it harder than others and I say, go outside, have fun, make friends, we're in college and doing this for years, take risks now, don't stay in!" He said, "Friends and family are important and continue to put yourself first."

It was a beautiful and intimate event, with small giveaways rewarding students with stickers, candy and fidget toys. For religious students, there was a place where you could write a prayer, and a board for affirmations and manifestations. There were resources and outlets for everyone struggling mentally with the main goal of spreading awareness and breaking the stigma on mental health. 

"The most importan thing is just to let them [college students] know they're not alone and I think Kean is remarkable in the way they support students' mental health," said Donohue. "We all have mental health some days it's in good shape, somedays it's not in good shape, the more we learn and care for each other, it's a better future for everybody."

Students filled in quickly, using their Cougar Link event passes to check in at a booth supervised by student workers. After check-in, students were given a small activity map with a list of different activities and all the booths at the event. 

"My favorite part has to be the Rita's Italian ice!" said Mariam Abdelwahed, a sophomore, Psychology student.

Many of the booths did small giveaways where students received items like t-shirts, tote bags, stress balls, pins, and small Kean athletics traffic cones. 

Attendees were also excited to see candy, ice pops, food and the Rita's booth which ran out just 30 minutes into the event.

"I just got here and I'm excited to get a free tote bag, that's what I'm currently in line for," said Anaya Milian-Cruz, a senior Environmental Science major.  

The music truly set the mood and the campus was lively with small dance parties, chatter and singing.

"I'm enjoying it [the event] really well, my favorite part is getting to be able to talk to people and getting to know all the services they have and all the job opportunities they give on campus," said Jayden River, a freshman Business Management major.

The event showcased several student support services such as Financial Aid, Student Accounting, the Registrar's office, Scholarships and Health Services.

Cougar Connections' Associate Director, Dr. Heather Chelton considered the event a success, noting that the campus was booming with excitement and new relationships and all information was well received by the students.

"There's a great turnout, students are happy they're getting educated about the different services and supports to them on campus they're enjoying the weather, the DJ, it has been great so far and it's just getting started," said Dr. Chelton.

The line into the event stretched far past Downs Hall's doors, students were eager and excited to represent their heritage coming in groups to join in on the wait and ready for what the night had in store.

Kean Pulse lit up the night with colorful lights and classic songs. Students were provided tickets for food and dessert and a small checklist for the four different stations that were presented. There was a Jewelry station, Grab Your Flag station, Spin for a Fun Fact and Loteria station. Attendees were allowed to go to any station of their choice, in exchange for a pass for food and dessert.

"My favorite food [from my country]? Encebollado," said Joselyn Monotoa, a first-year Biology Health Professions major from Ecuador. "It's just good."

Food is the way to the heart, and once students got it in their system, the party truly picked up. Popular Latin and Hispanic foods such as nachos, burritos and tacos all with chicken, beef and veggie options, desserts like fran, tres leche, and churros and snacks like dried watermelon and mango with sauce. What better way to celebrate your culture than with a good dish?

"[My favorite dish is} mangú and salami," said Katianna Perez, a first-year Psychology major representing the Dominican Republic. "I just really like how my mom makes it."

Sadly, there weren't any dishes like mangu and encebollado made by someone's grandma or mom, but students enjoyed it so much that the hot food table had to be refilled thrice.

"Oh my God, sancocho is the best thing ever … my grandma used to make it a lot, it was one of the first things she learned how to cook," said Leandro Cuevas, a second-year education major also representing the Dominican Republic.

And after a wonderful performance by New Jersey Salsa full of groovy beats and swaying hips, students gravitated to the dance floor. Although no Spanish guitar or bongos was being played in person, the DJ played popular songs like La Boda by Aventura and Los Cabareces by El Rubio Acordeón which incorporated Latin instruments that made the most contagious beats, getting more students involved in the party on the dance floor. There was bachata, salsa, and a conga line and the event wrapped up with the macarena.

"My favorite part [of Hispanic Heritage Month] is that I can remember where I come from. I feel so proud to be here representing my culture and sharing it with the people here on campus," added Cuevas.

It was truly an event for the books, students waved their flags in the air as they enjoyed the music and fellowship. Kean Pulse's Noche Latina proves that finding your community produces a good time.

"I love the food, I love the people and I love the cultures," said Aaliyah Roseme-Hamilton, an exercise science major with a minor in public health. "We know how to have a good time.

Kristina Spencer, a Bio Tech major and junior from Paterson stated why she decided to attend the event.  

"Well, to be quite frank, I really love dogs, and wherever there are dogs here, I'm also there." 

Other students like Litzy Ochoa, Architecture major and freshman from Trenton, see dogs to enhance their overall self-care and wellness.  

"They bring me happiness, like a little comfort. It's always like, just looking at one, I'm happy or even petting them. Like even when you're walking on the street, and you see a little dog and you get to pet them it's always so fun and cute." 

Eric Tayler, a Theatre Performance major and senior from Succasunna explained what dogs do for his overall wellness. 

"They're just one of the ways that I experience joy, it's the best way I can put it. They're just like something that puts a smile on my face, and I think we all need that in life, just things to smile at even if they're small. It helps." 

He also shared how he defines wellness. 

"Wellness to me is just the different areas you can take care of yourself in whether it's physical, emotional, mental. We wanna be doing things for ourselves that overall improve our daily lives." 

Tyler Cooke, an Architecture major and freshman from Southampton used this event to de-stress. 

"It's a puppy. I just really wanted to like calm down. Sometimes I get a little over-stressed so I thought it would be nice to go like pet a dog and de-stress. I also have two dogs at home so it's just like a de-stress moment." 

Not only were students able to have a great time with the dogs, but they were also able to grab tote bags and giveaways that help cope with stress. This special event had the purpose of giving Kean students a chance to relax, unwind, and prioritize their self-care this semester. 

Abigaelle Thermitus, an Accounting major and sophomore from Irvington shared what part of makeup she's most interested in. 

"Lashes, lowkey. I feel like I really like nails too, but I feel like I don't have the skill for it yet. Those are the main two." 

Simi Chavan, an Exercise Science major and freshman from Bridgewater stated why she decided to attend the event. 

"I just thought it was very interesting and like I'm really into glamour and stuff, so I wanted to see like what it was about." 

She also shared her favorite part about makeup. 

"Lip gloss definitely." 

Other students like junior and Fine Arts major, Mackenzie Frazier from Union, appreciate that makeup encourages creative abilities.  

"My favorite part about makeup is that it is so fun, it's an artistic expression." 

When asked what she loved most about the makeup process, Bianca Santos, an Architect major and junior from Union expressed that she loves the idea of limitless self-expression. 

"That you can do whatever you want, be creative with it. It's no restrictions with it." 

Students were able to make their own hair masks, learn how to care for their skin depending on their skin type, master the technique of eyeshadow application, create nail designs, and learn the steps to nail care. Each station offered all beauty lovers different supplies like gua shas, face masks, eyeshadow palettes, and nail care kits. Once students visited each table, they were able to eat a sweet treat at the Desert Cone Table and drink refreshing mocktails. 

True Beauty had a great turnout with many beauty enthusiasts eager to learn more about self-care and beauty techniques. This event advocated for self-love and the expression of all forms of beauty. 

Upon check-in, students were welcomed to light refreshments like sandwiches, cookies, coffee, and juice. Kean students also had the opportunity to create and rehearse their elevator pitch with Alumni.  

Wegmans, Delaware State Police, Azenta, Sherwin Williams, Red Bull, Atlantic Health System, American Dream, and Bright Achievements are just a few of the many companies present at the Career Fair. Hundreds of students came prepared with their questions, professional attire, and resumes.  

Brodie Berger, a Computer Science major and senior from Delanco shared why he decided to attend the Career Fair.  

"I was hoping to make connections and potentially progress towards getting an internship to help with my career." 

He also stated which table he was interested in.  

"I've been looking towards this Cybersecurity right here and I was prepping to go up and ask questions about it and officially get my name out there."  

Pibby Zepeda, a Studio Art major and freshman from Elizabeth, came to the fair for an opportunity for individual development.  

"I'm really interested in furthering my skills and growing as a person," said Zepeda. 

"And I think internships and careers and really figuring that stuff out and finding like what kind of things interest me would really help me with that and benefit me with that. Plus, there's so much information here and everyone is so like helpful and informative." 

She also shared something valuable that she learned from the event. 

"There's a lot of education resources here. Like, I really wanted to get into education, and I got so many emails and so many things to get myself started in that and I'm really excited." 

Nahuel Brittes, a History major and junior from Linden, explained that he was looking for internships in the courts because of his Pre-law minor. He also expressed why he is enthusiastic about studying law.  

"I just wanna help out my community. Law always interested me, so did history, but law a little more," shared Brittes. 

"I just like the interpretation of law, how the courts work, and how a good lawyer can help somebody out. I had a good lawyer help me out once and I think that was the driving force for me to want to become a lawyer actually." 

The Career Fair was a great event that offered helpful resources to Kean students of all classification levels and aimed to encourage students to network and create a foundation for their lives beyond college.  

Olivia Handy-Nemeth, an Education major and junior from Somerset, explained why she decided to give blood.  

"So, my dad was severely injured a couple years ago, and he lost a lot of blood. So ever since then, I've been donating blood just to help give back and thank the people who helped him."  

Kate Budsock, a Psychology major and junior from Cranford, explained that she is a universal donor and as a result, she enjoys participating in the blood services.  

"I just like that I'm able to help a lot of people, even the ones I don't know that well." 

Students like Emily Lari, sophomore, and Business Management major from North Bergen, have donated multiple times when the Blood Services have come to Kean University.  

"I thought it was very important to save a life. I did this last semester, and I just want to help save lives and help everyone as much as possible." 

Robert Septon, a Comp Science and Engineering major and freshman from Springfield, explained why he got involved in the Blood Drive. 

"Well, I'm O positive and O positive is a very very helpful blood type to donate because it helps O positives, B positives, A positives, and AB positives. So, I thought it would be helpful to donate." 

He then expressed what it meant to him to give blood. 

"Well, if I'm able to donate, and other people can't donate or need the blood, it's good for me to just give because I have more than I need." 

As the first blood drive of the semester, the event successfully brought students together for a meaningful cause. We look forward to continued participation and hope to see even more students donate and volunteer in future drives to make a lasting impact on the community. Kean University's involvement with Blood Services highlights its commitment to helping others and exemplifies compassion and kindness within the community.  

The first day of move-ins, welcomed mainly the incoming freshmen and transfer students moving into Freshman, Cougar and Bartlett Halls. The day started early, with cars lining up for the second year of the drive-through process. 

"Due to the success of the inaugural move-in drive-though last year, we have made slight modifications to increase the productivity and experience to welcome over 550 students," said Arion Jamerson, Student Affairs, Director of Communications and Marketing.

As the cars entered the parking lot, they were greeted by a cheer squad as they checked in to get in for the drive-through line. As the cars moved through the line, they were given snacks, water, and smiles by Kean volunteers. Once in front of the residence hall, more volunteers helped students unload the vehicles to move the items up directly to their rooms.

The drive-through required the student to have a second person to drive the car and park after they unloaded the vehicle. Those students who came by themselves were still able to move in by unloading in the Vaugh-Eames or Kean Hall lots and then walking over to the residence halls. All resident hall students also had the option this year to make an appointment to drop off items in their suites prior to the move-in days.

The second day of move-ins was for the upperclassmen resident students moving into the Quad (Burch, Rogers, and Sozio Halls) and Upperclassman Hall.

"We are delighted with the successful and efficient move-in of our 405 upperclassmen residents. This year, we implemented a deliberate approach to streamline the process, ensuring a smooth transition for our students and their families. By allowing families to drive directly to their residence halls and into the quads, we reduced wait times and created a more welcoming and convenient experience," said Punit Patel, Director of Residence Life.

The move-in shifts began at 7:30 a.m. with about 70 student volunteers to uplift upperclassmen residents and help transport any items to the residence halls. 

"Last semester was my first semester actually, I transferred last Spring. I didn't live here, so I'm moving in for the first time and I'm pretty excited about that," said Greg Grasso, a junior Communications Media and Film major moving into Rogers Hall.

He wasn't the only one excited as many students and families journeyed across campus, laughing and smiling as they made their way to the residence halls and back. The first shift ended at about 11 a.m. when the campus went from being very demure and mindful to busy and bustling with movement.

The second shift began at 10:30 a.m., which consisted of about 80 student volunteers, the highest number of volunteers of the day. This is when the sun shined a bit brighter, and the temperature rose, allowing the students to take advantage of the hydration stations near Downs Hall for water bottles and a quick break. 

The majority of the stations were led by student volunteers. In addition to the hydration station, there were greeters along the route, multiple stations for directional support, and go-carts to assist anyone unable to walk far distances.

"I'm very excited [to be back], I'm looking forward to all of the new events on campus and I'm very excited [happy] that it's a very beautiful day to move in," said Marissa Gomez, an early childhood special education major graduating in 2025 who is moving into the Upperclassman Residence Hall.

As the day went on, a new group of students checked in at the gazebo near the tennis court. The last shift of the day went from 1:30 to 5 p.m., running through the second shift that ended at 2 p.m. All volunteers received a t-shirt, which helped to easliy identify the support team throughout the campus.

Over the two days, both move-ins were successful, leaving students and faculty satisfied and excited for the new semester. 

"We're excited to kick off another great year and look forward to seeing our students Live, Learn, and Thrive in their new spaces," said Director Patel.

Downs Halls had racks and bins of clothes for students to choose from. Students also had the opportunity to enter a raffle to win prizes and eat food from wrap, fruit, and vegetable platters.

Aaliyah Robinson, Grant Coordinator for Cougar Connections Center of Social Work explained the purpose of the event. 

"This week is Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, so we decided to plan a shopping event for students here on campus to shop for new and gently used winter clothing items," stated Robinson. 

"So that's like hats, gloves, jackets, scarves, mittens, things like that. The reason why is because we know that there is a need for things and things can be expensive and sitting cold outside. So, we just wanted to warm up the Kean community." 

Keiry Escobar, a freshman and Architect major from Elizabeth shared why she decided to come to Share the Warmth. 

"To look for some new clothes. And because last semester, with my friends, we looked at this event too and we found a lot of beautiful clothes and we spent a fun time together, so I said why not again." 

Shiuli Roy, a freshman and Cellular Molecular Biology major from Edison appreciated the resources available on campus. 

"I decided to come to this event because it has very nice resources, especially now that Winter is coming, and I really did need an extra jacket," said Roy. 

"I picked up these shoes and I'm really happy I got them because most shoes do not look good, or they just don't fit me. These shoes are perfectly fitting me and I'm really grateful for that. I'm really grateful for Kean University organizing these events because they are really helpful." 

Kean University looks forward to opportunities that not only engage the Kean family but also involve giving back to those within our community. Share the Warmth was a successful event that was provided to help those within our campus community during this holiday season.