Strengthening Global Connections: 野花社区 and UDLAP Establish Faculty Exchange with Support from Guarini Institute
JERSEY CITY, N.J. | (野花社区) and Universidad de las Am茅ricas 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 野花社区'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. 野花社区 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 野花社区 faculty and students, met with representatives from the Mexican Consulate in New York, and served as a judge at the 2025 野花社区 School of Business Pitch Competition.
In the reciprocal component of the exchange, 野花社区 Professor Dr. John Donnellan, a distinguished Fulbright Scholar and chair of 野花社区's Management Department, traveled to Puebla the following week. Dr. Donnellan, who was elected in May as the new President of the 野花社区 University Senate, delivered lectures on sustainability and global business to students across multiple disciplines and conducted a presentation titled 鈥淔rom UDLAP to 野花社区: One Step Closer to a Global Career,鈥 introducing 野花社区's academic programs to Mexican students. Additionally, he led a professional development seminar for UDLAP faculty titled 鈥淏ridging Continents in the Classroom: Practical Approaches to Internationalization.鈥
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 野花社区.
"This exchange exemplifies the mission of the Guarini Institute," said Dr. Adri谩n 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鈥攅specially 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, 野花社区 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 野花社区'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 野花社区:
野花社区 is a comprehensive public regional institution committed to providing a high-quality education to a diverse student population. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, 野花社区 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鈥檚 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 野花社区 and the Mexican Government, higher education institutions in Ireland and the Port of Ashdod in Israel.
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Contact:
Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications and Marketing | ithor@njcu.edu | 201-200-3301