NJCU and Kean Jersey City Partner with Latin American Consulates (GLACO) to Provide Consular Services During the FIFA World Cup
JERSEY CITY, N.J. | New Jersey City University (NJCU), Kean Jersey City, and the Grupo Latinoamericano de Cónsules en Nueva Jersey (GLACO) announced a new partnership to provide temporary consular outreach and services at the Harborside campus during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The initiative is being coordinated by the Guarini Institute for International Education & Economic Mobility and expands the collaboration established through a December 2023 Memorandum of Understanding between NJCU and GLACO — the Group of Latin American Consuls in New Jersey — focused on community outreach, educational opportunity, international engagement, and economic mobility for Latino communities in New Jersey.
New Jersey City University will complete its merger with Kean University and become Kean Jersey City on July 1, 2026, marking a new chapter for the institution and its international engagement initiatives.
Under the partnership, participating Latin American consulates will utilize designated space at the Harborside campus, located at 200 Hudson Street (Harborside 2) in Jersey City, N.J., to provide consular assistance and support on key dates during the World Cup. The initiative is aimed at residents as well as international visitors expected to travel throughout the region to enjoy one of the world’s largest sporting events.
The schedule for participating countries is:
- Colombia: June 12, 15, 17, 23, 24, 26, 29; July 1, 6, 18 and 20.
- Guatemala: June 15, 17, 23, 24, 26, 29; July 1, 6, 18 and 20.
- Mexico: June 15, 23, 26, 29; July 6 and 20.
- Panama: June 25 and 26.
- Peru: June 13, 16, 22, 25, 27 and 30.
“The FIFA World Cup provides a unique opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the university and the Latin American consulates that serve thousands of residents across New Jersey,” said Dr. Adrián Franco, Executive Director of the Guarini Institute. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to community engagement, international cooperation, and expanding educational and economic opportunities for Latino communities and international students.”
Mariana Diaz, Head Consul of the Consulate of Mexico in New Brunswick and Chair of GLACO, noted: “GLACO is grateful for Kean University and New Jersey City University’s willingness and enthusiasm to host a Consular Hub that will grant participating countries a space where we can provide information, guidance and general consular assistance during the World Cup. This new partnership further strengthens the longstanding working relationship between GLACO and NJCU, highlighted by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in December 2023 to jointly promote education in our communities.”
During the 2026-2027 academic year, the partners will also explore opportunities for internships, cultural programming, and bilingual higher education outreach initiatives involving students and participating consulates.
About GLACO
GLACO was founded in 2017, with representatives from Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico and Peru. Today, the group also includes Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay. These countries work closely together to share good practices, promote joint activities and foster dialogue among themselves; as well as to approach local, state and federal agencies as a group, with one voice, to address issues concerning their communities. The group’s current Chair, Mexico, was elected to hold the 2-year position, in July 2024.
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. Consistent with our mission, NJCU is recognized as a top university for improving upward economic and 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 New Jersey. On July 1, 2026, NJCU will complete a merger with Kean University to join the Kean University system to become Kean Jersey City.
Contact:
Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications and Marketing | ithor@njcu.edu | 201-200-3301