KEAN Connect: Filling the Gap

Brendan Mueller

Co-Presenters: Nathaniel Saintvil, Rodrick Ray

College: College of Business and Public Management

Major: BS.MANAGEMNT-GENBUS

Faculty Research Mentor: Han, Min-Chung

Abstract:

Kean University currently lacks a central, engaging space that fully supports student socialization, study, and privacy needs. Existing areas, including the MSC, Cougar Den, Panera, Starbucks, NTLC, and the Miron Student Center, serve individual purposes but do not unify the student or promote student engagement. This gap highlights an opportunity to design a student-centered commons that creates connection, inclusivity with exclusivity, and productivity.The objective of this study is to identify student preferences and unmet needs regarding social spaces on campus and to develop a café-based concept that addresses these issues.A quantitative survey was conducted with at least 30 Kean University students, collecting data on group size preferences, food choices, pricing flexibility, convenience, and social amenities. Responses were analyzed using SWOT and PEST frameworks, competitive analysis, and visualized through pie charts and bar graphs. This analysis informed the design and positioning of a business, ensuring a concept aligns with student desires and campus needs.The findings provide the preferences of Kean students most requested food & beverage locations such as wawa, Asian food, pizza places, and a few other food types. This shows the lack of convenient and cheap food in the Kean University area, telling how to cater to a target audience of students. Sed findings provide data-dependent research to guide campus innovation and practical implications for stakeholders of the area with hope to increase student engagement, student productivity, campus morale and affordable meal options.