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Acebo is Highest Ranked College or University President in New Jersey

JERSEY CITY, N.J. | ��è�ƽ�� (NJCU) Interim President Andrés Acebo has added another prestigious honor in a year of notable recognition when he was ranked No. 4 overall in the 2024 NJBiz Education Power 50 List announced last week. Acebo earned the highest ranking of any college or university president in New Jersey in the 2024 Power 50. 

The annual listing by NJBIZ, New Jersey’s leading business journal, emphasizes the state’s education leaders based on relevant criteria each year. 

The recognition comes on the heels of Acebo being ranked the  in the state of New Jersey in the  announced on May 15 by ROI-NJ, another statewide leading business publication.  

NJBiz writes he has "drawn praise and recognition for his leadership — demonstrating a clear vision and mission as well as forging key partnerships with a slew of organizations and stakeholders."

Acebo, is the only current and second-ever Hispanic to serve as the leader of a four-year public institution of higher education in the State of New Jersey and the youngest known president to ever lead a public university in the state.

Acebo was named to the NJBIZ Education Power 50 index for the second year in a row after  in his first year as interim president. This year he is ranked in the Top 10 for the first time. It is the highest ranking in the annual index ever for a leader at NJCU. 

The award is the latest in a slew of recognitions since he became president just 20 months ago, culminating in the No. 1 higher education influencer distinction from ROI-NJ and the No. 4 Power List selection by NJBiz. Since January 2023, Acebo has been recognized six times on ROI-NJ’s influencer lists. He previously was named to the 2023 Super 60 Power List as one of the 60 most influential people and one of the top 25 chief executives and leaders across public and private higher education. ROI also named him to the, the 2023 and the. In August, 2024, he was named  list across all industries in the state.

In December 2023, InsiderNJ.com recognized his influence with selection to the. 

In 2024, Acebo and NJCU was named the 2024 Partner of the Year by the New Jersey Small Business Development Center (NJSBDC). In August 2024, Acebo was named to the  and was named the Jersey City Puerto Rican Heritage Arts & Culture (JCPRHAC)  at its 64th annual heritage parade.

NJBIZ produces a weekly print edition, as well as providing 24/7 business news coverage through its NJBIZ.com website and multiple daily e-newsletters, offering statewide business and associated industry news coverage and events honoring top business professionals.

Read the full NJBiz Listing:  

“Since taking over as interim president of last year, Acebo continues to lead the institution through – following a budget mess that preceded him. Apparently the youngest president to ever lead a New Jersey public university, the 38-year-old has drawn praise and recognition for his leadership during the turmoil — demonstrating a clear vision and mission as well as forging key partnerships with a slew of organizations and stakeholders. 

In June, members of the New Jersey Legislative Caucuses issued a statement asserting support for NJCU while applauding Acebo’s leadership. 

“Public records affirm the University’s significant strides at an unprecedented pace under Acebo’s leadership,” the lawmakers wrote. “The University has been led with exceptional resilience in navigating challenges posed by the global pandemic, higher education disruptions, and structural and systemic financial issues.” 

Last month, Acebo announced the creation of the NJCU President’s Community Advisory Council, aimed at strengthening the bond between the University and the surrounding community. “We will continue to tether together the university and the local community by fostering collaboration and shared responsibility to build out the reach of our revitalized mission into its second century with meaningful and deliberate engagement,” said Acebo.

��è�ƽ�� NJCU: 
��è�ƽ�� is a comprehensive public regional institution of higher learning located in Jersey City, N.J., dedicated to the development of our students, our city, our communities, and our state. We are a game-changing force for our students and have been recognized as one of the top colleges in the nation improving their upward economic mobility. In fact, NJCU has been ranked No. 1 in New Jersey and Top 10 in the nation in the CollegeNET Social Mobility Index for 2023. Whether enrolled in one of our undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs at our three locations, NJCU students 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.

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Contact: 
Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications and Marketing | ithor@njcu.edu | 201-200-3301