Kean University

The Kean University Department of Athletics and Recreation announced the hiring of Divon Pender as the Coordinator of Student-Athlete Development in August 2025.

Kean University was awarded funding through the NCAA Division III Pathway to Excellence Grant program to help increase opportunities in athletics administration.

"We are thrilled to welcome Divon Pender as Coordinator of Student-Athlete Development", stated Dr. Lorin Tredinnick, Managing Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Development. "Pender will provide support to our growing number of student-athletes through GAMER (Graduation, Athletic Matriculation, Enrollment and Retention) Plan, CLAWs (Cougar Leadership Academy Workshops), and other life skills programming. With funding from the NCAA Division III Pathway to Excellence Grant program, Pender will also participate in the NCAA Emerging Leaders Program and the NCAA Convention to gain essential leadership skills to succeed in an ever-evolving field."

Pender comes to Kean after working for the University of Maryland as a Graduate Assistant for Admissions and Diversity Initiatives.  He has worked in a variety of higher education settings, including the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, GOMO Educational Services and Rutgers University. His responsibilities have included analyzing EOF (Educational Opportunity Fund) data, coordinating EOF site visits, implementing SSS (Student Support Services) workshops, peer mentoring, and managing the day-to-day operations of two student centers within the New Brunswick campus.

Pender currently serves on the South Plainfield Board of Education as an elected member since 2022.  He also serves as a Board of Trustees member of Teen Arts NJ while serving as a mentor with the Lena Harris Foundation.

Pender earned the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America in 2019.

He received a Master of Arts in Higher Education, Student Affairs and International Education Policy from the University of Maryland in 2025 and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management from Rutgers University-New Brunswick in 2023.

Updated 8-13-25