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Kean University marked a significant milestone Feb. 13, earning an R2 research university designation under the Carnegie Classification of Institute of Higher Education.

In 2021, Kean was named as the first and only urban research university in the Garden State. The new designation now places Kean among the top 8% of colleges and universities nationwide for research and doctorate production.

Key highlights of Kean’s efforts include:

• Research expenditures exceeded $10 million during the 2022-2023 fiscal year – and awarding 26 research doctorates during that time, meeting the Carnegie criteria for R2 classification
• Research initiatives have expanded significantly in recent years with a focus on faculty-student research
• Kean’s Research Days program has grown from a small event to now involving more than 1,000 student and faculty participants annually
• Has invested in expanding its research infrastructure, hiring more than 150 tenure-track faculty in recent years to work alongside students on research projects in public health, environmental science, architecture, computer science and more

The America Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching published the research designations. Kean says the R2 designation will raise its prestige nationally, strengthen faculty and student recruitment, and open doors for additional grant funding and research partnerships.

President Lamont Repollet noted that reaching this milestone has been his goal since taking the helm at Kean.

“And I am incredibly proud of our faculty, staff, and students who helped make it a reality,” said Repollet. “This status is a shared accomplishment that reflects Kean’s strengths and our commitment to academic excellence.”

New opportunities

“Kean Unversity’s achievement in earning an R2 research designation reflects New Jersey’s commitment to expanding opportunity and driving innovation through higher education,” said New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Brian Bridges. “This milestone opens new research opportunities for students across the state and will draw top research talent – further strengthening New Jersey’s ability to tackle complex real-world challenges.”

“The growth of Kean over the past several years has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Kean University board of trustees Chair Steve Fastook, who lauded the university’s leader. “President Repollet leads this institution with a clear vision – and the R2 designation is proof of Kean’s incredible progress.”

“It is tremendously gratifying to see President Repollet’s vision for Kean, one we all support, come together for our students,” said Ada Morell, a trustee, who served as chair of the Kean board of trustees when Repollet was hired in 2020. “This is a defining moment in the university’s history – and it is only the beginning.”

Kean has recorded three consecutive years of record enrollment – which school leaders said signals its rising reputation and appeal to students from across the region.

“We are building a research culture that will shape the future of Kean and drive meaningful change for our students and communities,” said Repollet.

More on Kean:

• Kean begins pilot to prepare families for career success
• Kean University kicks off pivotal year under Repollet’s leadership