The Division of Student Affairs hosted the second Quad Makeover Contest that was open to all Fall 2024 residential students living in the Quad buildings (Bartlett, Burch, Rogers, and Sozio). The contest started in Spring 2023 to highlight the final phase of the Quad buildings' renovation. The competition was continued due to the success of the student engagement and needed student financial support. The four finalist suites had the chance to display their interior decorating skills with a budget of $500 and the winning suite will receive a free semester cost of housing.  

Before distributing the makeover budget, suitemates of each residence hall had to submit a video answering why they thought their suite should be chosen and what enhancements they would make. Student Affairs staff reviewed the submissions, and the chosen suites were given a $500 budget and two weeks to transform their entire space. The Student Affairs’ Director of Communications and Marketing, Arion Jamerson, is overseeing the contest and explains why it’s an important initiative. 

“I love this contest as it brings together the suitemates and furthers their bonds as they strategize to redesign their spaces. It also gives the University the opportunity to find new ways to directly financially assist and connect with the students as we get to come into their home away from home,” said Jamerson. 

The Quad Makeover Contest was judged by Kean professional staff including Kerrin Lyles, Vice President of Student Affairs; La Toro Yates, Ph.D., Vice Present of Enrollment Mangement; Punit Patel, Director of Residence Life; and Jason Pleitez, Office of the President. Each suite was judged on creativity, functionality, use of the budget, and the Kean housing guidelines. The judges went to each suite and talked with the students about their decisions. 

Punit Patel, the Director of Residence Life, shared his thoughts on the annual Quad Makeover Contest. 

“I’m excited for this year’s annual Quad makeover Contest to really see what our students did as they were transforming their spaces into a more cohesive living environment with the guidelines,” said Patel. 

The contestants from Burch Hall #309 shared their inspirations and steps they took to revamp their living spaces. 

“I would say we definitely wanted something very comfortable ... very relaxing and something nice just to come back to. For example, the vines. We had wanted something earthy, something therapeutic, so that was definitely a good choice,” Jade Fuentes. 

The contestants from Burch Hall #405 explained their design decisions. 

“As you can see, everything’s not like a specific color or specific design. It’s just like all of our personalities combined,” said Ruby Crowell. 

“It just felt a lot more emptier when we first moved in, and now with all the stuff we got from the budget as well as what we incorporated by ourselves, we just added more of a home feel,” said Zoe Ly. 

Contestants from Rogers Hall #301 wanted to decorate their space based on a shared feeling of belonging and unity. 

“The main reason why we chose these items specifically because we built a community within Kean University. Every time we hang out with our friends it’s always in this dorm and we just make the best memories ever. And it’s like a second home to them, because most of our friends are commuters,” said Sheyla Farfan. 

“Previously, our suite had very minor decorations, we didn't have as much. But having this opportunity to revamp our room definitely changed the vibe of our entire space...Coming back to this room we are able to decompress,” said Celina Luna. 

Contestants from Sozio Hall #508 took a different route and focused most of their funds on the shared areas in the suite. 

“We wanted to focus more on our shared spaces. When choosing items, we thought about what would fit with our vibes and in the space as well. We didn’t decide on things that was personal to us, we chose items for the group and the form itself,” said Doriella Paul. 

“I feel like once we focused on the common areas we can actually host here, have game nights. We can have people come over and it feels like a space you want to stay in,” said Israel Peoples. 

The winner of the 2024-2025 Quad Makeover Contest is Sozio #508 suitemates Crystal Brito, Tatyani Gabourel, Doriella Paul and Israel Peoples. The suitemates impressively reimagined their space. The judges were intrigued by how they strategically used their budget to improve their suite and make it their own.  

Congratulations to the winners and all the suites who participated in the competition.