Kean University College of Business Earns Prestigious AACSB Accreditation

On Jul 31, 2023

The Kean University College of Business and Public Management (CBPM) has attained accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

CBPM, which offers in-demand degree programs in marketing, management, accounting and other disciplines, now joins a group of less than 6% of colleges and universities worldwide with AACSB accreditation.

“The College of Business and Public Management at Kean University delivers an unparalleled business education to our diverse student body through rigorous academic programs taught by top faculty, unique research opportunities and new facilities with the latest industry tools,” said Kean President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. “With AACSB accreditation, Kean joins the ranks of top business institutions in the world. I look forward to welcoming more students to discover all that a Kean business education has to offer.”

Along with being the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools, AACSB is the largest business education network connecting learners, educators and businesses worldwide.

Through AACSB’s rigorous, peer-review process, CBPM earned praise for its “dramatic increases in the level of faculty research activity” and “long history of positively impacting the educationally-driven career success of students from underrepresented populations.”

CBPM’s enrollment has grown in recent years, with over 5,000 students enrolled across Kean’s campuses in Union, Toms River and Wenzhou, China.

“I am delighted with this recognition and am proud that Kean now joins its global community of nearly 1,000 institutions upholding the highest standards of business education and research,” said Kean Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs David S. Birdsell, Ph.D. “Dean Jin Wang and the faculty of the College of Business and Public Management have long offered compelling programs; through AACSB accreditation, it is clear that CBPM is comparable to distinguished programs around the world.”

CBPM Dean Jin Wang, Ph.D., said the university has been interested in attaining AACSB accreditation for many years – and pursued it as a focused goal beginning four years ago. He said the accreditation will make Kean more appealing to prospective students, employers and graduate schools.

The college worked to improve faculty resources, promote experiential learning for students and innovate the curriculum. Scholarly accomplishments increased by 59% last year and 58% this year, Wang said, with about 80% of faculty publications appearing in high-level scholarly journals.

“In addition to CBPM’s success, I believe the accreditation process itself has united the college,” Wang said. “I am very proud of my faculty both for their accomplishment in the area of research, and for their work as outstanding educators. AACSB accreditation is significant to our college, faculty and students. It will increase the global opportunities for our college, our faculty and our graduates.”

Stephanie M. Bryant, executive vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB, said accreditation “recognizes institutions that have demonstrated a focus on excellence in all areas.”

Among CBPM’s recognized strengths are programs that impact the community, noted Associate Dean Tobin Porterfield, Ph.D. Offerings such as entrepreneurship programs; ongoing research on topics such as minority business resilience post-COVID; and programs that engage high school students and prepare first-generation and minority students earlier for college, are distinguishing parts of CBPM’s programming.

In the coming years, Porterfield said CBPM is expected to increase its impact on the regional business community and focus strategically on how the institution provides value to students, businesses and families in communities surrounding the Kean campuses.

“Attaining AACSB accreditation is recognition of the great work we’ve been doing for years,” Porterfield said. “Going forward, it ensures that we continue focusing on leading-edge research and programs that impact our region.”

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