NJCU President Lays Out Plan to ‘Thrive, Not Survive’

Jersey City, NJ — New Jersey City University (NJCU) Interim President Dr. Andrés Acebo outlined a strategic vision for the institution’s future during an interview on Real Talk with Fernando Uribe, emphasizing that NJCU aims to thrive amid recent challenges. Acebo, who became the youngest and the first Latino president of a public university in New Jersey, has led the university since his appointment in 2023.

“This spring, we’re seeing over a 75% increase in new undergraduate enrollment,” Acebo revealed. He attributed the rise to partnerships and reforms designed to enhance the university’s appeal and accessibility. According to NJCU, programs with Hudson, Essex, and Mercer County colleges have made transfer pathways more seamless for students.

The university says affordability is key to its mission. Acebo cited a policy change that bundled the cost of books into tuition, providing financial relief to students. “We became the first public university in New Jersey to include the cost of books in tuition,” he said, noting that the initiative reduced the average student’s annual costs by $700.

Acebo also addressed speculation regarding potential mergers with other state institutions, assuring stakeholders that NJCU is focused on long-term sustainability. “Our goal is not merely to survive but to thrive,” he stated, adding that the university recently revised its mission statement to reflect its commitment to serving working-class students.

“Most of our students are crisscrossing this campus in pursuit of something incredibly noble—the chance at a better life,” Acebo emphasized. He explained that many NJCU students balance education with family and work obligations.

Acebo also reflected on the personal significance of his leadership. “Every day I walk onto this campus, I look at the compass my dad used when he came to this country on a makeshift boat with nothing but the shirt on his back,” Acebo shared.bAs the son of Cuban immigrants and a product of Hudson County’s public schools, Acebo views his role as both a privilege and a responsibility.