Enrollment Management Plan - Kean University

Retention
The University embraces the challenge of increasing retention rates and improving the standard metric of
degree completion. Today, approximately 17-20% of first-time, full-time freshman graduate within four (4)
years and about 45% graduate within six (6) years. These completion rates are similar to most of our state peers
and superior to similar institutions beyond New Jersey; however, the University is seeking to distinguish itself
in this area. We believe the mechanisms that will be put into place during this plan will have a compound effect
of significantly raising retention rates through peer assistance, early intervention and by strategically enrolling
more prepared students. Simply stated, the University’s enrollment growth will be based not only on new
markets, but by increasing student success.
The Kean University cohort that begins in FY 2020 will have the following benchmarks. Kean’s four (4) year
graduation rate for first-time, full-time students will exceed 40%. The five year (5) graduation rate will exceed
55% and six-year (6) graduation rate should approach 63%. We believe this can be accomplished because of the
new mechanisms that will be in place by FY 2015, including assigned peer mentors, ongoing training, and a
culture dedicated to supporting students through interpersonal relationships and supplemental instruction and
tutoring via the web.
Weekend College
The Weekend College provides an opportunity to earn an undergraduate degree by taking upper-level classes on
Friday, Saturday and Sunday in addition to evening classes. Students can take classes either online or hybrid
courses. The Weekend College will continue to maintain Kean’s strong, traditional, academic environment and
offer full support for students’ needs. Courses offered by the Weekend College target working adults with an
aim toward earning their degree in a more timely fashion.
In FY 2012, a committee will be developed that will focus on the best practices in this area while also
identifying programs that would fit our students’ interest. Programs currently under consideration include
undergraduate Management Science, Criminal Justice, Public Administration and Communication. Possible
new degree offerings in General Studies are also under consideration.
Conclusions
This concludes the FY 2011-FY 2020 Kean University Enrollment Management Plan which provides an
overview for growth. The implementation of the plan will be led by the Associate Provost with consultation
from the Enrollment Management Group. The goals and objectives described in the report are aggressive, but
reasonable. More importantly, each of the objectives advanced in this report improves the institution. In effect,
Kean would become more efficient, serve more students at a higher level and increase its reach across this state
and into other countries.
The analysis of data for high school graduation rates into 2020 (See Figure 1 below) and the pattern of
applications to Kean University (See Figure 2 below) confirms that our objectives are reachable. The University
will continually assess is targets each year and adjust its marketing and recruitment plans. We will also
strengthen both academic programs and the reach of Kean University beyond our regional border.
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