By: Caroline Pease I Published: March 5, 2025
This announcement will be updated as more information is available
This afternoon, New Jersey City University’s (NJCU) Board of Trustees voted to unanimously (7-0) grant Kean’s merger proposal. This comes after Kean University and Montclair State University were in contention as potential partners, both submitting proposals early in this year.
Over the upcoming weeks, both boards will collaborate to negotiate a letter of intent to begin implementing NJCU’s almost century-long institution into Kean’s education system as Kean Jersey City and begin the process of memorializing the terms and conditions of a potential partnership on or before March 31, 2025.
“The Kean Board of Trustees recognizes the important role our university can potentially play in delivering world-class education and research opportunities to the Jersey City region,” said Steve Fastook, chair of the Kean University Board of Trustees. “We’re delighted our colleagues at NJCU selected Kean as a strategic partner. We look forward to a thoughtful, multi-step process that respects NJCU’s legacy while creating a stronger, unified institution that will serve all students in a fiscally responsible manner. This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity to enhance higher education in New Jersey.”
Both Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications and Chief Communications Officer at NJCU and Nicole Fransico, Associate Vice President for Media Relations at Kean have confirmed the agreement.
Kean president Lamont Repollet underscored both institutions’ shared desire to curate a comprehensive education that allows students.
“Both Kean and NJCU share missions dedicated to fostering an inclusive learning environment that empowers students to succeed. By merging our strengths, we can deepen our commitment and resources to diversity, equity and inclusion, ensuring that every student has the support they need to thrive and persist through graduation,” said Repollet.
The addition of NJCU will be Kean’s fourth campus. Outside of the Union campus, Kean has two New Jersey-based satellite campuses: Kean Ocean and Kean Skylands, and Wenzhou-Kean University in China.