Kenneth T. Vehrkens

Kenneth T. Vehrkens has been an Academic Dean at Fairleigh Dickinson University for over 30 years. He is currently the Dean of the Anthony J. Petrocelli College of Continuing Studies of Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is also the Associate Vice-President for Lifelong Learning. Fairleigh Dickinson University is the largest independent University in New Jersey.

As Dean of Petrocelli College, he is Chief Administrative Officer of one of the four colleges of Fairleigh Dickinson University, with an enrolment of over 4,600 credit-bearing students and 5,000 non-credit students. The Petrocelli College has 35 full-time faculty, 160 part-time faculty, and twenty-five staff. The College is located on the Metropolitan campus and the College at Florham campus of the University. Also, there are 100 off-campus locations. 

As Dean, he is responsible for all non-credit programs at the University as well as credit programs which include, the “Puerta al Futuro” – Gateway to the Future Hispanic Degree Program, the “MiraeRo”- Gateway to the Future Korean Degree Program, “ChengGong”- Gateway to the Future Chinese Degree Program, Four Undergraduate and Five Graduate On-line and In-Person Degree Completion Programs, the Football Giants Program and the Middle College Program.  

During the last five years, Petrocelli College has received $5.5 million in grants from federal and state sources to support new College initiatives. As Associate Vice-President for Lifelong Learning, his responsibilities include the Community Service Outreach Program, Educational Programs for Senior Citizens, and the Gifted & Talented Programs for Elementary, Middle School and High School students. There are more than 2,500 students ranging in age from 10 to 86.

Dean Vehrkens has served as a Retention Consultant at 25 major universities. The author of more than 60 research articles, he is also the Educational Consultant for the National Football League. Dean Vehrkens received the Pinnacle Award in 1991, which is the highest award given to a University alumnus. He has been named “Dean of the Year” on three different occasions and was the recipient of the “Elia G. Stratis Castle Award” in 2006. In May 2007, Dean Vehrkens received the “Unsung Hero Award” from Minority Athletes Networking.