New Jersey City University Interim President Andres Acebo was ranked no. 1 on ROI-NJ’s list of higher education influencers last week.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I am profoundly honored to be named the number one higher education influencer and leader in the State of New Jersey by ROI-NJ,” Acebo said in a statement.
“This recognition holds special significance for me as the first-generation son of Cuban immigrants who holds the privilege of being the first to go to college in my family and who now gets to lead a university in the very community that helped raise me in service of students whose lives overwhelmingly mirror my personal story. My parents’ sacrifices and unwavering belief in the power of education have been my guiding light my whole life.”
Additionally, Donna Adair Breault, Ph.D., Interim Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, Brian Kirkpatrick, CFO and Vice President for Administration and Finance, and Ira Thor, Associate Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, were all named as 2024 ROI-NJ Higher Education Influencers — giving NJCU the distinction of having four senior leaders honored by the publication.
Breault, who was also recognized in 2023, was chosen for the second time, while Kirkpatrick and Thor were each selected for the first time.
“This humbling accolade is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our entire community—students, faculty, staff, and supporters. It’s a tribute to our beautiful community and the power of hope and of whispered courage,” Acebo added.
“Thank you to ROI-NJ for this prestigious honor and to everyone who has been part of this journey. Together, we will continue to break down barriers, push boundaries, and strive for inclusive excellence in higher education with radical resilience, unwavering grit, and unrelenting persistence.”
