By: Susan Berube-Leiva | Publish Date: November 4, 2026
On September 25, 2026, the Center for Leadership and Service (CLS) launched the Cougar Climb Program Upperclassmen Experience, designed to expand this student engagement program for all students at Kean University.
In an announcement via Outlook and Navigate360, all upperclassmen were notified of their enrollment in this newly introduced student engagement program on Cougar Link that allows upperclassmen students to complete tasks and obtain badges for a chance to win items such as laptops, gaming consoles, and much more.
The Cougar Climb program was initially implemented during the 2019-2020 academic year and was reactivated during the 2023-2024 academic year. At the time of its implementation, it was called the Cougar Climb First-Year Experience as only freshmen and transfer students were eligible to be enrolled in the program.
Its purpose was to promote student involvement on campus and help students feel connected to their university.
“We wanted to create a way for students to explore campus resources, get involved, and build connections while developing skills that will benefit them throughout their time here,” explained Kaitlyn Miles, Assistant Director for Student Involvement within the Center for Leadership and Service. “The Cougar Climb: Upperclassmen Experience is the next step in building on that foundation.”
Miles shared that her team recognized that a student’s involvement journey doesn’t end after their first year, and they wanted to ensure that upperclassmen had opportunities to continue getting involved and developing valuable skills throughout their time at Kean. This was the purpose behind expanding the program to be inclusive of upperclassmen, which are sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
“The Cougar Climb: Upperclassmen Experience builds on what we’ve established with the Cougar Climb: First-Year Experience while encouraging students to keep exploring new opportunities and making the most of their college experience,” Miles shared.
Upperclassmen can access the Cougar Climb on Cougar Link and within their ‘paths’. Within the program there are seven badges and several activities that students can complete to fully complete their badge. After a badge is complete, students will automatically be entered into a raffle for the corresponding grand prize. Below are the prizes for the 2026-2027 academic year:
- Academic Engagement Badge: MacBook
- Career Development Badge: Roku TV
- Civic Engagement Badge: Bose Headphones
- Global & Cultural Awareness Badge: Ninja Creami
- Health & Wellness Badge: Apple Watch
- Social Engagement Badge: JBL Speaker
- Leadership Development: PlayStation 5
Emely Vera, a General Education Mentor (GEM) within the T2K classes, shared her excitement over the new program, “In getting involved with the Cougar Climb my freshman year, I was able to not only get involved on campus but form new connections and learn more about other cultures. That is how I was able to meet my friend from Wenzhou. It encouraged me to socialize. I’m glad that they’re expanding this program to upperclassmen so I can continue to get involved.”
An annual celebration to recognize students who have completed at least one badge will be held at the end of the academic year to celebrate students’ accomplishments and involvement on campus.
To encourage continued engagement, the program also allows students to be entered into the drawing for badge-specific grand prizes in subsequent academic years if they have not already won the prize. All prizes will be awarded at the annual end-of-year celebration for the academic year in which students earn them.
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