University President Addresses Staff at Faculty Seminar

By Erin McGuinness | Published by Feb. 14, 2019

Kean President Dawood Farahi headlined the second of four faculty seminars scheduled for this semester to discuss the university and civic engagement — or working to make a difference in the civic life of a community.

About 40 faculty and staff members gathered in Kean Hall Feb. 13 for the second discussion “Higher Education in 2020”  in the series themed “Does Civic Engagement Matter?” organized by Drs. Dennis Klein and Donald Marks, co-chairs of the Faculty Seminar.

After an introduction by Klein, Dr. Farahi addressed the room and began a discussion on where Kean University is on the map of civic engagement, and how the university can continue to progress in the constantly changing and developing world.

He outlined some problems Kean University faces, including changes in legislation, competition from superior online programs and the curriculum changes that the current market demands. Farahi encouraged the idea of creating well-rounded students who are versed with more than knowledge on their desired career path, stating that learning critical thinking skills, analytical skills and data analysis skills are necessary for students to survive and navigate the 21st century.

“Civility is what makes a university what it should be,” Dr. Farahi said.

Dr. Sarah Compion, Director of Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, said she teaches classes on human rights and social justice, so civic engagement is an idea that she thinks a lot about.

“I think it’s helpful for me to take the same conversation into the classroom. To ask students what they want out of higher education. Where do they see it going in this changing climate? Asking them to be part of the dialogue of education in the classroom,” she said.

The next Faculty Seminar in this “Does Civic Engagement Matter” series, is scheduled for March 27.

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