New Jersey City University Signs MOU With Fundación Universidad de las Américas, Puebla, Strengthening Higher Education Collaboration

Mexico City, Mexico — As part of Governor Phil Murphy’s mission to Mexico City, Choose New Jersey, the state’s leading nonprofit business attraction organization, facilitated a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between New Jersey City University (NJCU) and Fundación Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP). The agreement, signed by leadership from NJCU and UDLAP and witnessed by Governor Murphy, establishes a framework to strengthen academic and educational collaboration between the institutions.

“New Jersey and Mexico have a unique opportunity to establish a foundation for lasting and shared growth,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Mexico is New Jersey’s seventh-largest trading partner, and expanding educational opportunities will further strengthen the strong ties between our regions.”

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.

“This renewed agreement reaffirms our collective belief that education and economic development are inseparable. Universities are powerful engines of innovation and human capital, and through partnerships like this one, we help shape the talent that drives competitiveness, attracts investment, and fosters social mobility in both Mexico and the United States”, stated Mónica Ruiz Huerta, Vice President of Administration at UDLAP.

“This partnership with Universidad de las Américas Puebla reflects New Jersey City University’s commitment to fostering global learning opportunities and cultural exchange,” said Andrés Acebo, J.D., President of NJCU. “As New Jersey’s oldest Hispanic-Serving Institution, NJCU has a special responsibility to build bridges with leading universities across Latin America. 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 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 Dr. Adrián Franco, Executive Director of the Guarini Institute. 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.

Also attending the MOU signing will be Kean University President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., and Felice K. Vazquez, Esq., Chancellor for International Campuses at Kean University, who will sign as a witness to the agreement.

“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,” said Kean President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. “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.”

“This academic collaboration builds on our efforts to connect New Jersey’s world-class universities with global partners,” said Wesley Mathews, President & CEO of Choose New Jersey. “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.”

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 November 5-9, 2025.

Reporters interested in more information on the New Jersey economic mission to Mexico may contact Tyler Jones ([email protected]) and Ingrid Austin ([email protected]) or visit choosenj.com/MexicoMission2025 for additional details.

To read this press release in Spanish, click here.

To view the full MOU, click here.

About Choose New Jersey

Choose New Jersey is the state’s leading nonprofit business attraction organization. We harness the collective power of New Jersey’s business, government, labor, and academic sectors to expand New Jersey’s economy. We work globally, using our marketing expertise, concierge business development services, deep knowledge of the state, and convening power, in collaboration with state government, to empower businesses, entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators to make New Jersey their home. Learn more at choosenj.com.