Kean University Welcomes New York Times Bestselling Author and Animal Advocate Isabel Klee on October 29th for President's Distinguished Lecture Series

Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 09/16/2026

(UNION, NJ) -- New York Times bestselling author Isabel Klee will discuss her journey as a writer and animal welfare advocate at Kean University on Thursday, October 29, 2026, as part of the President's Distinguished Lecture Series. The event, which is open to the public, will offer insights into the connections between compassion, community engagement and storytelling. The event begins at 4:30pm.

“Isabel Klee has inspired countless people through her authentic storytelling, compassion and commitment to animal welfare,” said Kean University President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. “Her work demonstrates the power of using your voice to create meaningful change, and we are honored to welcome her to Kean.”

Klee has emerged as one of the nation’s most influential voices in pet advocacy, using storytelling and social media to raise awareness about animal rescue, foster care and adoption. Based in Brooklyn, New York, she has cultivated a large and highly engaged audience through her writing and her firsthand experiences fostering dogs, helping shine a spotlight on the critical role foster families play in saving animals’ lives.

Her debut memoir, Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I’ve Cried About, was released in April 2026 and became a No. 1 New York Times bestseller. The conversation will also highlight the experiences that inspired her memoir and the growing need for support of animal rescue organizations across the country.

Tickets are $23 for Kean alumni and the general public. Tickets are available for purchase online. The event takes place in Kean University's North Ave Academic Building (1000 Morris Avenue) in Union, New Jersey.

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The President’s Distinguished Lecture Series brings notable leaders, innovators, authors and cultural figures to Kean University for thought-provoking conversations that engage students, faculty, staff and community members. Through these programs, the University creates opportunities for audiences to connect with individuals whose experiences and accomplishments have shaped contemporary culture and society.

The series will continue with two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead on Monday, February 8, 2027, at 4:30pm. Whitehead won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his novels The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys.

The President’s Distinguished Lecture Series at Kean University presents influential leaders, authors, innovators and public figures whose ideas inspire dialogue, learning and civic engagement. The series reflects the University's commitment to providing transformative educational and cultural experiences for students and the broader community. 

Kean University, New Jersey’s urban research university, is a national institution of higher education recognized for its diversity, innovation and the social mobility of its graduates. Designated an R2 research university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, Kean ranks among the top eight percent of U.S. universities for research and doctorate production. Founded in 1855 as a teachers college, Kean has evolved into a thriving research university that supports approximately 23,000 students worldwide as they persist to graduation, give back to their communities and launch successful careers. Kean’s six colleges offer more than 75 undergraduate programs, 10 doctoral programs and more than 90 graduate options leading to master’s degrees, professional diplomas or certifications, across a full range of academic subjects. With campuses in Union, Jersey City, Toms River and Manahawkin, New Jersey, and Wenzhou, China, as well as Kean Global, the University provides students of all backgrounds an affordable and accessible world-class education.