Union County Review

Darlene Repollet, Kean University's First Lady since July 2020, has gained national attention through her recent election as co-coordinator of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities' (AASCU) Spouse/Partner Program. This program supports spouses and partners of presidents and chancellors at state colleges and universities across the country. Her appointment is seen as a reflection of her leadership skills and Kean University's increasing presence in national higher education discussions.

"Spouses and partners, whether new in the role or having been in it for a long time, all have different perspectives based on our availability, level of interest, background and expectations," Repollet stated. "One of the program's strengths is recognizing and valuing those differences. But there are certain things that we all need to be prepared for as a spouse partner, things like friend-raising and fundraising."

With a professional background in corporate human resources, Repollet has focused on initiatives at Kean University that promote equity and excellence. Her efforts include moderating the President's Distinguished Lecture Series and enhancing Kean's global ties with Wenzhou-Kean University in China.

"As a dedicated member of the AASCU's Spouse/Partner Committee, Darlene brings Kean's values to the forefront of national conversations about education," said Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., President of Kean University. "Her leadership and commitment to creating a safe, supportive environment for students reflect the best of what we strive for as a university."

Repollet has introduced practical initiatives like the Career Services photo booth offering professional headshots for students' resumes. "I realized there's no one way to approach this role," she explained. "It's about finding where your skills and experiences can best support the mission of the university."

In her new role with AASCU, she organized a session on campus security during their 2024 Annual Conference. Rachel Frick Cardelle, Ph.D., co-coordinator alongside Repollet at AASCU, commented on her selection: "Darlene understands the role spouses and partners of higher education leaders play in helping deliver on the mission of public higher education."

Additionally, Repollet is spearheading the REP Foundation—Repollet Education Philanthropy—a family initiative aimed at providing emergency funding for students along with supporting educational travel opportunities.

“Sometimes students are on the verge of success but need just a little extra financial support to get there,” she noted. “Whether it’s a flat tire preventing a commuter from getting to class or a student unable to afford a passport for a study abroad program, our foundation will step in to help bridge those gaps.”

Reflecting on her work with Kean University, Repollet emphasized its diversity: “What I love about Kean is its diversity,” she said. “You can find anyone and everyone at Kean...that creates the community...When you look past our beautiful campus...Kean is a microcosm of our world.”