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JERSEY CITY, N.J. |  (NJCU) has announced that its final commencement ceremony before the university's historic merger with Kean University will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., and will feature entrepreneur, business leader, and philanthropist Jorge A. Plasencia as the honorary degree recipient and commencement speaker.

NJCU President  ​​will preside over this historic ceremony — his fourth as university president—and will award a Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree to Plasencia, co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Republica Havas; global chief client officer for the Havas Creative Network; and co-founder and chairman emeritus of the nonprofit Amigos For Kids. Plasencia will deliver the commencement address to the Class of 2026, sharing his inspiring journey from Miami-born son of Cuban exiles to global business leader and his unwavering commitment to community service and cultural preservation—a story that will resonate deeply with many graduates and their families.

The ceremony will celebrate students receiving their degrees in January 2026 and May 2026, marking a poignant conclusion to NJCU's century-long legacy as an independent institution as it prepares to merge with Kean University in Summer 2026 to form Kean Jersey City. For more information on the ceremony and ticketing details, please visit. 

"For nearly a century, NJCU has served as an institution that lifts people up and changes their trajectory in life,” said Acebo. “As we celebrate NJCU’s final commencement before our historic merger with Kean University, Jorge A. Plasencia’s life journey mirrors the profound impact our campus has had on countless individuals seeking a better life. He is a visionary entrepreneur whose life embodies the transformative power of education, heritage, and an unshakable commitment to lifting others as you climb. Jorge’s story is one that will resonate deeply with our graduates: the son of immigrants who turned exile into opportunity, who built a global career while never forgetting where he came from, and who has dedicated his success to opening doors for the next generation. His journey from intern to industry leader reminds our students that their dreams are not just valid—they are essential.

Plasencia said, “I am grateful to President Acebo and the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to be part of this historic commencement for �鶹��Ժ. Over 100 years, NJCU students have represented the promise of what education can unlock, and it will be an honor to share this special moment with the Class of 2026 and their families as we celebrate their achievements and as they embark on their next chapter.”

The 2026 commencement represents a momentous occasion as NJCU celebrates its graduates by honoring its rich history while looking toward an exciting future as part of Kean Jersey City. The ceremony will be a testament to the resilience, diversity, and ambition that have defined the NJCU community and will continue to shape its evolution.

“Jorge A. Plasencia has spent his career proving that representation matters—not just in the C-suite, but in the stories we tell, the cultures we celebrate, and the communities we serve,” President Acebo continued. “As a business leader, he has broken barriers in his industry, building one of the nation’s premier marketing and communications agencies while establishing a leading nonprofit serving under-resourced children and families. His career has been a study in the power of preserving cultural heritage while simultaneously creating pathways for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to lead, innovate, and transform industries. For our students—many of whom are first-generation college students navigating their own journeys of identity and ambition—and as Republica Havas celebrates its 20th anniversary and Amigos For Kids marks 35 years of impact, Jorge represents what is possible when you refuse to choose between honoring your roots and pursuing your purpose. This is the promise we make to every NJCU graduate and alum, and it is the legacy we carry forward into our next chapter, our next century.”

�鶹��Ժ the Honoree: Jorge A. Plasencia
An entrepreneur, business leader, and philanthropist, Jorge A. Plasencia’s career spans global marketing, media, sports, and entertainment. A Miami-born Cuban American from generations of entrepreneurs, his heritage—shaped by exile and opportunity—instilled in him a lifelong commitment to hard work, service, and giving back.

Plasencia co-founded Miami-based Republica Havas in 2006, building it into a digital- and mobile-first advertising powerhouse that has achieved sustained double-digit growth, been named a top workplace, and received global industry recognition. In 2018, Republica was named Ad Age’s No. 1 Independent U.S. Multicultural Agency before joining forces with the Paris-based Havas Group. As global chief client officer for the Havas Creative Network, he has partnered with key clients and helped launch Converged.AI, a global AI-powered platform integrating data, media, and creativity. In 2026, Republica Havas marks its 20th anniversary.

His early career included leadership roles with the Florida Marlins—today the Miami Marlins—during their first World Series championship season, and service as vice president of Estefan Enterprises during the “Latin Music Explosion,” working with global artists including Gloria Estefan and Shakira. He helped produce numerous major cultural events, including programming at the White House and the Super Bowl XXXIII halftime show. Personally asked by Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa, to organize her historic funeral services, he now serves on the board of the Celia Cruz Foundation.

Plasencia’s philanthropic leadership is extensive. At 17, he co-founded Amigos For Kids, now celebrating its 35th anniversary as one of South Florida’s most enduring nonprofits. He currently serves as board chair of the Miami Dade College Foundation and serves on boards including the 4As (American Association of Advertising Agencies), the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, and Aspen Conexión. He is a co-founder of the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute and previously served as the first Cuban American and youngest board chair of UnidosUS.

His honors include the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, CEO of the Year from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the Friend of Brand Spain Award, and recognition among the most influential Floridians and U.S. Hispanics. A Miami Dade College Hall of Fame inductee, Plasencia holds a bachelor’s degree with honors from Barry University and completed the Advanced Management Executive Program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

 

�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. On July 1, 2026, NJCU is expecting to complete a merger with Kean University to join the Kean University system to become Kean Jersey City.

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