Strengthening Global Connections: NJCU and UDLAP Establish Faculty Exchange with Support from Guarini Institute
JERSEY CITY, N.J. | New Jersey City University (NJCU) and Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP) in Mexico successfully established a dynamic faculty exchange program this spring, marking a significant milestone in international academic collaboration. The initiative, supported by the Guarini Institute for International Education and Economic Mobility, demonstrates NJCU's expanding commitment to global education and its positive impact on the Latino community in Jersey City.
The landmark exchange program featured reciprocal visits that brought together faculty and students from both institutions. NJCU welcomed Dr. Martin Larsson from UDLAP for an intensive week of academic engagement, during which he delivered lectures on cultural change management and business anthropology, participated in collaborative discussions with NJCU faculty and students, met with representatives from the Mexican Consulate in New York, and served as a judge at the 2025 NJCU School of Business Pitch Competition.
In the reciprocal component of the exchange, NJCU Professor Dr. John Donnellan, a distinguished Fulbright Scholar and chair of NJCU's Management Department, traveled to Puebla the following week. Dr. Donnellan, who was elected in May as the new President of the NJCU University Senate, delivered lectures on sustainability and global business to students across multiple disciplines and conducted a presentation titled “From UDLAP to New Jersey City University: One Step Closer to a Global Career,” introducing NJCU's academic programs to Mexican students. Additionally, he led a professional development seminar for UDLAP faculty titled “Bridging Continents in the Classroom: Practical Approaches to Internationalization.”
The significance of this collaborative effort was formally acknowledged by UDLAP President Dr. Luis Ernesto Derbez Bautista, who issued a letter recognizing the exchange and expressing strong institutional support for continued collaboration with NJCU.
"This exchange exemplifies the mission of the Guarini Institute," said Dr. Adrián Franco, Executive Director of the Guarini Institute. "It enriches the academic experience for our students, strengthens international partnerships, and supports economic mobility through global engagement—especially for New Jersey's Latino communities."
The faculty exchange builds upon a 2021 Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Mexican Consulate and establishes a foundation for future joint initiatives, including student exchange programs and faculty-led virtual lectures. Through this partnership, NJCU continues to bring international perspectives into the classroom, preparing students to excel in an increasingly interconnected global economy while ensuring that international education remains a cornerstone of the university's academic mission.
This collaboration represents NJCU's ongoing commitment to providing transformative educational experiences that enhance student outcomes and strengthen community connections, particularly within New Jersey's vibrant Latino population.
About NJCU:
New Jersey City University is a comprehensive public regional institution committed to providing a high-quality education to a diverse student population. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, 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. Recognized as a top university for improving upward economic social mobility, 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 New Jersey.
About the Guarini Institute for International Education and Economic Mobility
Launched in November 2020, the Institute’s mission is to create novel tools to facilitate the economic mobility of individuals and families experiencing financial hardship. Its vision is that financially vulnerable individuals and families have access to relevant information and resources to improve their upward economic mobility. The Institute has previously facilitated formal agreements between NJCU and the Mexican Government, higher education institutions in Ireland and the Port of Ashdod in Israel.
Contact:
Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications and Marketing | ithor@njcu.edu | 201-200-3301