New Jersey City University and Fundación Universidad de las Américas Puebla on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding that establishes a framework to strengthen academic and educational collaboration between the institutions.
The signing came during Gov. Phil Murphy’s economic mission trip to Mexico, sponsored and organized by Choose New Jersey and the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Under the terms of the MOU, the institutions will seek to promote collaboration through student, academic, and administrative exchanges, study abroad programs, double degrees, exchanges of publications and reports, joint research activities, and the organization of academic conferences and seminars, in addition to joint organization of special technical or administrative programs.
NJCU President Andrés Acebo said the partnership reflects the school’s commitment to fostering global learning opportunities and cultural exchange.
“As New Jersey’s oldest Hispanic-Serving Institution, NJCU has a special responsibility to build bridges with leading universities across Latin America,” he said. “As our campus enters the next era in its nearly 100-year history, partnerships like this exemplify our vision for the future — one that creates meaningful opportunities for academic exchange and enriches both our students and faculty.
“We’re proud to stand with Governor Murphy and Choose New Jersey in expanding the global reach of New Jersey’s higher education community.”
The university is approximately 85 miles east of Mexico City.
Murphy applauded the moment, noting how it will help strengthen already strong ties.
“New Jersey and Mexico have a unique opportunity to establish a foundation for lasting and shared growth,” he said. “Mexico is New Jersey’s seventh-largest trading partner, and expanding educational opportunities will further strengthen the strong ties between our regions.” The agreement was coordinated by the Guarini Institute for International Education & Economic Mobility at NJCU.
Drawing on the Institute’s strong track record of global partnerships and economic-mobility programs — including ongoing New Jersey–Mexico initiatives and recent NJCU–UDLAP faculty exchanges— the Guarini Institute, led by Executive Director Adrián Franco, will serve as the primary liaison to implement the MOU’s programs. This partnership comes as NJCU prepares to merge with Kean University to form Kean Jersey City, a transformative initiative tentatively scheduled for completion by July 1, 2026. The collaboration with UDLAP Puebla demonstrates the expanded global reach and enhanced opportunities that will be available to students once the merger is complete. Kean President Lamont Repollet and Kean Chancellor for International Campuses, Felice Vazquez, witnessed the signing.
“Kean University is proud to stand as a leader in global education, with a campus in China and collaborations spanning Bermuda, Brazil, Dubai, Italy, South Korea, and beyond,” Repollet said. “Agreements like the one between NJCU and UDLAP expand access to meaningful academic and cultural opportunities for students across institutions. As we move toward establishing Kean Jersey City, international education will remain a top priority, ensuring even more students benefit from immersive cross-cultural experiences.”
The MOU will remain in effect for three years. The agreement was a highlight of Governor Murphy’s final economic mission with Choose New Jersey, organized in collaboration with the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and taking place from Nov. 5-9.
“This academic collaboration builds on our efforts to connect New Jersey’s world-class universities with global partners,” Choose New Jersey CEO Wes Mathews said. “Partnerships like this create new avenues for academic exchange and demonstrate how higher education can advance economic and cultural ties, promote mutual understanding, and advance long-term development.”
