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NJCU Announces Ambassador Julissa Reynoso Pantaleón and Former U.S. Senator George Helmy Will Receive Honorary Degrees at 2025 Commencement Ceremony
JERSEY CITY, N.J. | New Jersey City University (NJCU) has announced that its 2025 Commencement Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., and will feature two extraordinary honorees — Ambassador Julissa Reynoso Pantaleón and former U.S. Senator George S. Helmy — who will receive honorary degrees from the university.
NJCU Interim President Andrés Acebo will preside over his third commencement ceremony and will award Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degrees to Ambassador Reynoso Pantaleón and Senator Helmy. Ambassador Reynoso will deliver the commencement address to the Class of 2025, highlighting her inspiring personal story and connecting it to the shared experiences of so many NJCU graduates.
The ceremony will celebrate students receiving their degrees in January 2025, May 2025, and August 2025. For more information on the ceremony and ticketing details, please visit www.njcu.edu/commencement2025.
Acebo expressed the significance of this year’s honorees and the inspiration they bring to the university community, saying: “At NJCU, commencement is a celebration of possibility, a testament to the resilience of first-generation journeys, and a moment to reflect on how representation shapes our collective future. By honoring Ambassador Reynoso and Senator Helmy, two inspirational leaders with the same kind of humble beginnings that so many of our students experience daily, we send a powerful message to our graduates: you belong in spaces of power and influence.”
The 2025 commencement will be a momentous occasion celebrating the resilience, diversity, and ambition that define the NJCU community with graduates eager to walk the stage to receive the degrees that they worked tirelessly to earn, often through incredibly difficult circumstances that prove the determination and fortitude of NJCU’s student body.
"Ambassador Reynoso Pantaleón and Senator Helmy’s stories—rooted in representation, perseverance, and service—mirror the experiences of so many in our community,” President Acebo continued. “Our goal is for all our students and their loved ones to see themselves reflected in leadership and to believe that their heritage and hard work are not barriers, but instead bridges to success. This is a story many of us personally live—a first-generation journey where the path is rarely linear, where quiet indignities persist, but where an education coupled with an audacious and unshakable spirit can lead to a remarkable and impactful life, and it is the promise of NJCU's revitalized mission on the precipice of its second century of service.”
About the Honorees
Ambassador Julissa Reynoso Pantaleón: A pioneering leader in law, diplomacy, and public service, Ambassador Reynoso’s transformative journey from her roots in the Dominican Republic to the highest levels of global leadership exemplifies resilience and excellence. She has served as the U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, Chief of Staff to First Lady Jill Biden, and Co-Chair of the White House Gender Policy Council, advancing equity and inclusion worldwide. She previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay under the Obama Administration and served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. Reynoso’s academic achievements, including degrees from Harvard University, the University of Cambridge, and Columbia Law School, and her commitment to systemic change make her an inspiring figure for NJCU’s diverse, first-generation student body.
Former U.S. Senator George Helmy: A proud Jersey City native and a first-generation American, Senator Helmy has forged a groundbreaking path in public service. As one of only six Arab Americans to ever serve in the U.S. Senate and the first Coptic Christian in this role, Helmy’s leadership reflects a deep commitment to equity, community, and civic engagement. Helmy was the longest-serving Chief of Staff to a New Jersey Governor and also previously served as the State Director to U.S. Senator Cory Booker. His educational background, including degrees from Rutgers University and Harvard University, and his dedication to bridging cultural and political divides align with NJCU’s mission to empower underrepresented voices. Helmy’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact of opportunity, perseverance, and service in building inclusive communities.
About NJCU:
New Jersey City University is a comprehensive public regional institution committed to providing a high-quality education to a diverse student population. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, NJCU 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.
Contact:
Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications and Marketing | ithor@njcu.edu | 201-200-3301