Kean-NJCU Merger

In 2022, NJCU faced significant financial challenges, prompting the State of New Jersey to appoint a monitor to review the university’s financial health and long-term viability.  

The monitor recommended that NJCU partner with a strong and stable higher education institution to preserve access for its students and community. 

Following this recommendation, the NJCU Board of Trustees voted in March 2025 to select Kean University as that partner.  

The merger will ensure continued access to affordable, high-quality higher education for students from Hudson County and across the state. 

Leaders of Kean University and New Jersey City University (NJCU) signed a definitive agreement in October 2025 advancing the merger between the two state universities. The merger is currently under review and must be approved by accrediting/governing bodies and the U.S. Department of Education. The goal is to complete this process by July 1, 2026. Once the accreditation review process is complete and the merger is approved, all NJCU students will become Kean University students.  

Yes. Students interested in attending Kean and NJCU should continue to apply to each university separately, following the current admissions process at each university. 

No. Admissions decisions for the 2026-27 academic year will continue to be based on the current standards and processes of each university. Applicants will not be disadvantaged or delayed because of the merger.  

Both institutions began as teachers colleges in the 19th and early 20th centuries, dedicated to preparing educators for New Jersey’s growing population. Over time, they have evolved into comprehensive universities, serving diverse student populations with a broad range of academic offerings.

The merger is being guided by a student-first approach, with every decision focused on supporting success. Academic programs will be reviewed to ensure quality, consistency and compliance with accreditation standards. Student support services will be expanded with unified departments and shared resources, providing more consistent and accessible support across both campuses.

Once the integration is complete, students will be part of one Kean University, with greater flexibility and access to a broader catalog of courses across the Union, Jersey City and Toms River campuses. Work is underway to align programs and systems, so students can take classes where it best fits their needs, whether that is in person, online or in hybrid formats. Students will also benefit from international opportunities, including Kean’s study abroad programs at various locations worldwide, including Wenzhou-Kean University in China. While some programs may be based on specific campuses, efforts are being made to expand options by offering core and elective courses in multiple modalities. The ultimate goal is to broaden, not limit, opportunities, providing students more pathways, support and flexibility in earning their degree.

Every effort will be made to avoid disrupting student progress throughout this process. If a program exists at both Kean and NJCU, it will be unified under Kean’s curriculum to ensure alignment and quality. Programs offered only at Kean will continue unchanged. In rare cases where a program may be discontinued, currently enrolled students will be able to complete their program or transfer seamlessly into another Kean program. Clear transfer pathways are being developed so NJCU credits apply toward a Kean degree without delaying graduation. The goal is to make the process as seamless as possible while preserving students’ progress toward their degrees.

Yes. All NJCU credits will transfer into Kean, with pathways being built to ensure they apply toward a Kean degree. In some cases, credits may transfer as electives, especially if a student chooses to change majors and take advantage of Kean’s broader program options. The goal is

to give every student credit for the work they have already completed while expanding opportunities to pursue new academic paths.

NJCU students who graduate before the integration is finalized will receive an NJCU diploma. After the merger is completed and approved, which is expected in summer 2026, all new students and most current students will receive Kean degrees. NJCU students enrolled in programs that do not continue at Kean University after the merger will have the option to complete the program and receive a NJCU degree or transfer to a similar program at Kean.

Student services will not only continue but, in many cases, expand under the integrated Kean model. Libraries, academic advising, counseling, and student life programs will be aligned across campuses to ensure consistent quality and access for all students. NJCU students will also gain access to Kean’s Open Educational Resources. Athletics are under active review, with a shared committee working to design the best structure for both competitive and recreational programs across the unified institution. 

Kean’s multi-campus model ensures consistent academic standards and student support across locations, backed by centralized systems and coordinated faculty development. This model already supports Kean Ocean in Toms River, Kean Skylands in Jefferson and Wenzhou-Kean University in China. 

No changes are planned for the 2025-2026 athletic season. A joint advisory committee is tasked with evaluating athletic programming on the Jersey City campus. The committee will deliver its final recommendations to President Repollet by December 15, 2025.

Kean will apply its proven multi-campus management model to support operational and cultural integration and student success across locations. Planning will prioritize consistency, communication and resource equity. 

Kean envisions a stronger, sustainable university that advances social mobility, drives urban research and serves as a model of student-centered public higher education in New Jersey. 

No. NJCU will transition into Kean Jersey City, an additional campus location of Kean University. The campus will continue to deliver academic programs, services and support in Jersey City, maintaining its commitment to the local community.

No. NJCU alumni will remain alumni of NJCU and retain their original degrees and institutional identity.

Absolutely. Kean is committed to celebrating NJCU’s rich history and engaging its alumni through continued programming, events and outreach tailored specifically for the NJCU community.

No. NJCU alumni will remain graduates of NJCU. Your diploma and alumni status will continue to reflect your achievements at NJCU.

Yes, without question. NJCU’s legacy spans nearly a century of excellence in education and public service. Your degree remains a meaningful representation of that legacy and will continue to be recognized and respected.

Yes. Kean University will ensure secure and accessible record keeping for NJCU alumni. You will still be able to request official transcripts and verification of your degree.

The NJCU Foundation will continue to support the Jersey City campus, its students and programs. While the Foundation's name may eventually evolve to reflect the new institutional structure, its mission and impact will remain focused on the Jersey City community.

The NJCU Foundation will continue to provide scholarship support for students on the Kean Jersey City campus. Scholarships and funds currently supporting that campus will not be transitioned to Kean.

Yes. Students at the Jersey City campus will continue to rely on generous donor support for scholarships, programs, and opportunities that allow them to climb higher. Your gifts have a lasting impact and are essential to student success.

There are currently no plans to rename donor-recognized spaces. While the campus name will change, Kean is committed to honoring the legacies of those who have supported NJCU and the institution's history. Additional naming opportunities may also become available in the future.

Yes. Respecting donor intent is a top priority. Kean is committed to ensuring that gifts made to support NJCU students, faculty and programs are used as intended, preserving the purpose and spirit of your generosity.

This moment is about more than just institutional transformation—it is about fortifying NJCU's promise to the students and families we serve. By partnering with Kean University, we are not only securing NJCU's presence in Jersey City for generations to come, but also expanding opportunities, resources, and academic pathways that will benefit current and future students.

As we navigate this next chapter, our commitment to transparency and open communication remains unwavering. The FAQs below provide clarity on this process and address the questions most important to our community. Together, we will honor our past, embrace the opportunities of today, and build a future where NJCU continues to thrive.

Merger Timeline and Status

On March 5, 2025, the NJCU Board of Trustees, in compliance with the April 2024 Transition Plan mandates from the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, announced NJCU would pursue a strategic merger with Kean University and authorized NJCU leadership to negotiate a Letter of Intent with Kean University.

On May 15, 2025, Kean University President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., and NJCU President Andrés Acebo, J.D., signed the Letter of Intent, advancing the proposed merger.

On October 1, 2025, both institutions signed a definitive merger agreement, which was unanimously approved by the governing boards of both universities. This agreement establishes the framework and key terms for the creation of Kean Jersey City.

The merger remains subject to final approval by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), the New Jersey State Legislature, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE), and the United States Department of Education (USDOE). The change in control is targeted for June 2026, at which point the NJCU campus will become an additional location of Kean University operating as Kean Jersey City.

What This Means for Students, Faculty, and Staff

NJCU academics, athletics, arts and other programs continue uninterrupted as the merger process advances. Currently enrolled students—and those who enrolled as first-year students for 2025-2026—have our pledge that their programs will continue and, if eligible, will graduate on time. There is no change in our obligations to students, eligibility for sports for our student-athletes, and other agreements. Nothing will change without communicating to the NJCU community, particularly students and their families. Similarly, all obligations made to faculty and staff will be honored throughout this process.

A joint advisory committee has been established to evaluate athletic programming on the Jersey City campus, with final recommendations to be delivered by December 15, 2025. Additionally, an advisory steering committee is overseeing the next phase of the merger, including academic and operational integration, and will guide the process through regulatory and governmental reviews.

We have positioned NJCU as a strong, desirable partner in this merger, and Kean University's commitment to merging with NJCU is a testament to our ongoing dedication to our students' future.

As the two institutions work through the regulatory approval process in the months ahead, our shared goal is to preserve NJCU's mission and legacy, foster growth and innovation, and further strengthen NJCU's commitment to students, faculty and staff, alumni and the Jersey City and Hudson County communities we serve.

Kean/NJCU Shared Services Agreement

HEFT Fund Approved Resolution

FY2026 Capital Budget Requests