The Research Aligned Mentorship (RAM) program is an extremely prestigious program funded by a major grant awarded to Kean University by the United States Department of Education. Regardless of major, the RAM Program provides extra benefits and rewards that will enhance learning and that will give RAM students opportunities not available to other students.

The RAM students receive: • Individualized advisement • Priority registration for classes • One-credit Transition to Kean/RAM courses designed to prepare students for real-world learning, scholarship, and creative and/or professional endeavors • Special RAM-only sections of the Research and Technology course • A digital advisement roadmap designed to fit the student’s own interests and to create a clear path to graduation and beyond • Meetings with a RAM faculty mentor/advisor each semester in addition to once a- semester meetings with a faculty mentor/advisor in the student’s major • Invitations to special workshops and events • Hands-on research or a project-based learning experience with a faculty mentor

Each fall a new cohort of 100 fortunate first year and transfer students is randomly selected for participation in the RAM program from the master list of students admitted to Kean's baccalaureate degree programs.

Enhanced preparation RAM students are prepared for graduation and beyond through RAM courses, advisement, and special events in their first 2 years after entering Kean University. Hands-on learning experiences After sophomore or junior year, RAM students will be paired with a faculty mentor to engage in hands-on research or in a project-based learning experience. Career building The RAM program will add experience and skills to students’ resumes, enhancing their job prospects or their acceptance into graduate school. Increased likelihood of graduating on time RAM students at Kean will save time and money by staying on track to graduate in 4 years. Networking opportunities RAM students will meet real professionals in their field, leading to additional opportunities for research or project-based learning experiences and for better job prospects.

In order to progress toward graduation in four years, students must stay on track, completing those courses that count toward the degree. RAM Faculty Mentor/Advisor and department advisors work with each RAM student in order to carefully design a schedule based on (1) each student’s intended major and academic interests, (2) RAM-specific courses for enhanced learning, and (3) if appropriate, the requirements of a student’s financial aid package. Of course, the hold is temporarily lifted during the College’s schedule-change period at the start of each semester. During that period students may add and drop courses. However, we do encourage all students to confer with a RAM faculty mentor/advisor before making any changes in their schedules.

Students learn about university programs and services and develop academic skills to function successfully in the university setting. This course is designed to help prepare you for life as a college student, and to help you adjust to the rigors of college life. Specifically, this summer section is for incoming RAM (Research Aligned Mentorship) freshmen to serve as an introduction to the fall academic semester as a RAM scholar. At the end of this one week session, RAM students earn a letter grade and academic credit for completion of the T2K course, and do NOT take the course in their freshmen fall semester as do all other Kean freshmen. This course is 1 credit towards graduation and is letter graded, thus it does affect your Kean undergraduate GPA.

The Research and Technology course is an introduction to the research process; preparing a formal research paper and an oral presentation with an emphasis on use of library resources and multi-disciplinary approaches to design, investigate, and report research activities. Students get to take sections of the course designated not only for RAM students, but for specific majors (Biology/Math/Computer Sciences; Business Management; Liberal Arts / CVPA / Michael Graves College).

Dropping a RAM course should only be done in consultation with a RAM Faculty Mentor/Advisor. RAM courses are there to bolster performance in other courses and to enhance the student’s GPA. These courses are considered free electives in Degree Works and will count toward graduation.

Yes – and the RAM Faculty/Advisor will work with students who change their major to plan course schedules that meet new major requirements and keep a student on track toward graduation.

Students selected for the RAM program receive benefits and opportunities not available to other Kean students. The RAM program is specifically and carefully designed to bolster’s a student’s success in college and beyond. We are confident that RAM program students will be viewed favorably by employers and graduate schools. We strongly encourage students to give it a try at least in their 1st year before making the decision not to participate. Students must speak to their RAM Faculty Mentor/Advisor if they are considering opting out of the program.