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MEXICO CITY, MEXICO | As part of Governor Phil Murphy’s mission to Mexico City, Choose �鶹��Ժ, the state’s leading nonprofit business attraction organization, facilitated a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between  (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.

“�鶹��Ժ and Mexico have a unique opportunity to establish a foundation for lasting and shared growth,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Mexico is �鶹��Ժ’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 �鶹��Ժ's commitment to fostering global learning opportunities and cultural exchange," said Andrés Acebo, J.D., President of NJCU. "As �鶹��Ժ'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 �鶹��Ժ in expanding the global reach of �鶹��Ժ'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 �鶹��Ժ–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 ., and, 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 �鶹��Ժ’s world-class universities with global partners,” said Wesley Mathews, President & CEO of Choose �鶹��Ժ. “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 �鶹��Ժ, organized in collaboration with the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of �鶹��Ժ and taking place from November 5-9, 2025.

Reporters interested in more information on the �鶹��Ժ economic mission to Mexico may contact Tyler Jones (tyler.jones@nj.gov) and Ingrid Austin (iaustin@choosenj.com) or visit  for additional details.

To read this press release in Spanish, .

To view the full MOU, click here.

�鶹��Ժ Choose �鶹��Ժ
Choose �鶹��Ժ is the state’s leading nonprofit business attraction organization. We harness the collective power of �鶹��Ժ’s business, government, labor, and academic sectors to expand �鶹��Ժ’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 �鶹��Ժ their home. Learn more at .

�鶹��Ժ NJCU: 
�鶹��Ժ is a comprehensive public regional institution committed to providing a high-quality education to a diverse student population. Located in Jersey City, �鶹��Ժ, NJCU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for learning, professional development, and community engagement. Consistent with our mission, NJCU is recognized as a top university for improving upward economic social mobility, ensuring students enrolled in our undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs have access to an affordable, diverse environment, and an exceptionally supportive faculty. This prepares them to go on to become the next generation of workers and leaders who improve their communities and the State of �鶹��Ժ.

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Contact: 
Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications and Marketing | ithor@njcu.edu | 201-200-3301