# Andrés Acebo Named NJCU’s 13th President After Successful Interim Leadership
The New Jersey City University Board of Trustees has unanimously voted to make Andrés Acebo the university’s 13th president. This move comes after Acebo’s 18 months as interim president, where he navigated NJCU through some pretty rough financial waters and sparked real improvements in academics and community ties.
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From Financial Crisis to Stability: NJCU’s Remarkable Turnaround
When Acebo took over as interim president, NJCU faced a financial crisis that put its future at risk. He jumped in quickly, and his leadership changed the trajectory of the university.
Major rating agencies noticed the shift. Moody’s moved NJCU from a “negative” to “stable” outlook in February 2024. Fitch echoed the sentiment in November 2024.
By May 2025, Moody’s gave NJCU a “positive” outlook for the first time ever. That’s a pretty big deal, considering where things started.
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Strategic Initiatives Driving Progress
Acebo pushed four main strategic initiatives during his interim term. The NJCU Recovery and Revitalization Plan set the stage for financial stability. At the same time, the university’s first Academic Master Plan laid out a vision for academics and student achievement.
These moves paid off:
Breaking Barriers and Setting Records
Acebo’s appointment stands out for several reasons. He’s just the third Hispanic leader of a four-year public institution in New Jersey. That marks real progress for diversity in higher education leadership.
On top of that, he’s the youngest known president of a public university in the state. His influence stretches beyond campus. ROI-NJ called him the top influencer in New Jersey higher education, and he landed fourth on the 2024 NJBiz Education Power 50 List.
Community Engagement and Collaborative Leadership
When Acebo accepted the permanent role, he made it clear: NJCU’s progress is a collective effort. He favors collaboration over going it alone, and you can see that in how he launched the NJCU President’s Community Advisory Council.
This council has pulled the university and its neighbors closer together. For Jersey City, those partnerships matter, since NJCU acts as a key anchor in several districts. The university’s stronger position means more opportunities and a bigger economic boost for local residents.
NJCU’s Role in Jersey City’s Future
As a cornerstone in Hudson County, NJCU’s revitalization under Acebo’s leadership feels like a real boost for Jersey City. The university opens up vital educational paths for locals and adds to the city’s cultural and economic energy.
People looking for things to do in Jersey City often stumble upon NJCU’s cultural events or check out the campus facilities. Its location makes it easy to reach by public transportation, which is a relief for prospective students and anyone from the community who wants to drop by.
If you’re figuring out where to stay in Jersey City while visiting the university, a few local hotels offer special rates for NJCU guests. The formal investiture ceremony set for Fall 2025 should bring in visitors from all over the region and put another spotlight on NJCU’s role in the city’s future.
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Here is the source article for this story: NJCU votes to remove Acebo’s interim tag, making him school’s 13th president
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