2023 Undergraduate Commencement

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In preparation for the ceremony, the university is hosting a grad fair on both its Union and Ocean campuses for students to collect their cap and gown. The Union Campus Grad Fair will be held on Wednesday, May 3, and Thursday, May 4 at the Miron Student Center in room 228. Meanwhile, the Ocean Campus Grad Fair will be held on Thursday, May 4 at the Gateway Building.

Those who missed the order deadline for pickup at the grad fair have the opportunity to order their cap and gown online by April 22 for delivery to their home address for the big day. Students also order class rings and a yearbook as well.

In addition to their big day on May 18, students graduating with honors have the opportunity to participate in the honors convocation on May 5 at 2 p.m. in Harwood Arena. The Department of Africana Studies is also hosting its 36 annual African Heritage Graduation Ceremony on May 6 at 4 p.m. in Wilkins Theater.

Not only that, but Kean is also holding a Senior Formal, ‘A Roaring 20's Soiree’ for graduating seniors only on Friday, May 5 from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Hilton Short Hills.

Meanwhile, students who are graduating are getting ready for the day they walk on that stage and embark on a new journey, and Saintina is excited about new beginnings.

“I haven't experienced life without school in it and I can't wait to see how I adjust,” Saintina said. “I'm excited to have more free time most importantly.”

In terms of the graduation process, Saintina stated that applying for graduation was fairly simple and that she double-checked that she completed all the credits for her degree.

Now that Saintina is graduating from Kean, she said

I truly felt cougar pride that day and I'll never forget the bonds I've created with the women I met on this campus.”

As for any post-graduation plans, Saintina says that she will still be working as a Production intern at ABC News, hopefully transferring over to a full-time position. She also plans on attending everyone's graduation parties.

In the past, there has been a growing number of students that have graduated from Kean, according to Kean’s Student Success Dashboard, titled “What Are Our Historical Persistence and Graduation Rates?” that her most memorable moment at the university was Homecoming back in the Fall 2022 semester. She arrived at Kean as a transfer student and did not take part in campus activities, and she made a promise to herself that before she graduated, she would leave no stone unturned.

The dashboard takes into consideration all Kean US campuses with first-time/ full-time students, as well as retention years going from one to six and years of graduation ranging from three to seven.

“I did not want to leave with any regrets,” Saintina said. “This was my first homecoming as a Top Knotch Doll (Kean's majorette dance team) and a N'Sister (NCNW).