Our Team
Karen Grove, MA
Director
Kenya Harris, BA
Program Assistant
Kim Dean, Ed.D.
Assistant Director
Daun Ward, Ed.D.
Lecturer
Ron Karsen, MA
Lecturer
Amanda Rodrigues, Ed.D.
Lecturer
Celebrating Collaboration and Advocacy for Teacher Preparation!
A huge congratulations to the incredible NJ Field Directors, including our very own Ms. Grove, who recently presented at NASUP in New Orleans! 👏✨ Their presentations highlighted the groundbreaking work being done to break down the barriers between universities and colleges, fostering cross-collaboration in teacher preparation.
Through their hard work and commitment to equity, these amazing leaders have been advocating for policies that enhance teacher quality and expand the teacher pipeline. They’re building stronger partnerships across institutions, P-12 districts, and statewide organizations to ensure that the voices of teacher educators and P-12 professionals are heard.
Student Placement Office Team Grows
3/5 Pictured here is the Placement Office Team with newly hired Assistant Director, Dr. Kim Dean. As the office grows, we look forward to working towards higher efficiency in our processes, and building more enhanced programming as we continue to serve the Kean Clinical Interns as they start and work through their clinical experiences in their final 2 semesters at Kean. "Cougars Climb Higher"
Placement Office Team Volunteering at the Spring 2025 Pop-Up Shop
Ms. Harris and Dr. Dean organizing clothes for students looking for a great find.
Ms. Grove assisting a student at the checkout with his selection.
Dr. Rodrigues restocking and folding pants and skirts for an excited student on the hunt.
Professor Karsen, Dr. Ward, and Ms. Grove, pausing from the "pop-up shop" for a photo!
3/1 Karen Grove, Placement Office Director, has contributed her expertise to a new book, bringing valuable insights from her work in education. With a deep commitment to lifelong learning, she continually models this mindset for university students. Her dedication to professional development and student mentorship ensures that learners not only secure meaningful employment but also cultivate the skills necessary for lifelong career advancement.
COE Faculty Retreat: Student Placement Office
The Placement Office Team was excited to collaborate with colleagues at the College of Education Retreat, fostering meaningful discussions on curriculum, student placements, field experiences, and school partnerships. Through shared insights and collective problem-solving, the team aims to strengthen support for students and enhance their education through coursework. This collaboration will help align efforts across departments to better prepare future educators and build stronger connections with partner institutions.
Student Placement Office Team Engaged in the Kean Community
11/14/24 The Student Placement Office Team jumping in to help with the "Dress for Success Pop-up Shop." Kean offers this unique event each year to support students preparing to enter the professional world. Students from all majors were able to find some hidden gems that will give them that edge and build confidence for their next interview or internship.
11/14/24 Our very own, Dr. Daun Ward with Ndaba Mandela, Nelson Mandela’s grandson. The two found a common bond, as Dr. Ward's father-in-law had a personal friendship with the late, Nelson Mandela, and the two were able to connect through personal photos she was able to share with him.
Ndaba Mandela gave a lecture to the Kean community, echoing his late grandfather’s message of reconciliation, healing and justice for all and spoke passionately about Africa, its people, and its future.
As a Senior Human Rights Fellow at Kean this year, Mandela will spend a week working with students and stakeholders and lead Kean’s Human Rights Travelearn during spring break.
What an honor and privilege for Dr. Ward to discuss and share the history of where their two lives intersect.