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���߲ݴ�ý Commencement

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 • 8:30 a.m.

Prudential Center | 25 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ

Doors Open: 7:30 a.m. Guests must be in their seats by 8:10 a.m.

At ���߲ݴ�ý, Commencement provides our students an opportunity to celebrate their academic achievements with family, friends, faculty, alumni, and the entire University community. The ceremony will recognize School of Business, College of Professional Studies, Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education, and the William J. Maxwell College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) and CAS/Education dual-degree recipients.

More details will be announced in the coming weeks. Please check this page often or your ���߲ݴ�ý email for updates.

Honorary Degree Recipient 

Jorge A. Plasencia
An entrepreneur, business leader, and philanthropist, Jorge A. Plasencia’s career spans global marketing, media, sports, and entertainment. A Miami-born Cuban American from generations of entrepreneurs, his heritage—shaped by exile and opportunity—instilled in him a lifelong commitment to hard work, service, and giving back.

Plasencia co-founded Miami-based Republica Havas in 2006, building it into a digital- and mobile-first advertising powerhouse that has achieved sustained double-digit growth, been named a top workplace, and received global industry recognition. In 2018, Republica was named Ad Age’s No. 1 Independent U.S. Multicultural Agency before joining forces with the Paris-based Havas Group. As global chief client officer for the Havas Creative Network, he has partnered with key clients and helped launch Converged.AI, a global AI-powered platform integrating data, media, and creativity. In 2026, Republica Havas marks its 20th anniversary.

His early career included leadership roles with the Florida Marlins—today the Miami Marlins—during their first World Series championship season, and service as vice president of Estefan Enterprises during the “Latin Music Explosion,” working with global artists including Gloria Estefan and Shakira. He helped produce numerous major cultural events, including programming at the White House and the Super Bowl XXXIII halftime show. Personally asked by Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa, to organize her historic funeral services, he now serves on the board of the Celia Cruz Foundation.

Plasencia’s philanthropic leadership is extensive. At 17, he co-founded Amigos For Kids, now celebrating its 35th anniversary as one of South Florida’s most enduring nonprofits. He currently serves as board chair of the Miami Dade College Foundation and serves on boards including the 4As (American Association of Advertising Agencies), the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, and Aspen Conexión. He is a co-founder of the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute and previously served as the first Cuban American and youngest board chair of UnidosUS.

His honors include the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, CEO of the Year from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the Friend of Brand Spain Award, and recognition among the most influential Floridians and U.S. Hispanics. A Miami Dade College Hall of Fame inductee, Plasencia holds a bachelor’s degree with honors from Barry University and completed the Advanced Management Executive Program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Presidential Medallion Recipient 

Suraj Kaufman
Suraj Kaufman is a philanthropic leader, entrepreneur, and community advocate dedicated to creating meaningful and lasting impact through service, collaboration, and purpose-driven initiatives. He founded Sneaker Room in Jersey City and built it from the ground up into a nationally recognized sneaker and lifestyle brand rooted in the community. Building on that foundation, he launched the Sneaker Room Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on youth empowerment, education, health, and community wellness.

Through the foundation, Kaufman has delivered large-scale giveback initiatives serving thousands of families across Jersey City and beyond, including back-to-school block parties, backpack and supply distributions, Thanksgiving turkey drives, annual holiday parades, and holiday toy giveaways. The foundation has created lasting legacy projects within Jersey City Medical Center, including a dedicated waiting room at the Christie Kerr Women's Center established in memory of his mother, donations to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and the founding of the Green Apple Food Pharmacy to address food insecurity and chronic health conditions.

Deeply invested in education, Kaufman authored and teaches a proprietary entrepreneurship curriculum titled BEST (Business Entrepreneur Student Teaching), now in its second year within the Jersey City Public School system. He also opened the Sneaker Room Annex at Middle School #7, where teachers refer students in need to receive new sneakers as support and motivation to improve attendance, behavior, and academic performance. Additionally, Kaufman awards scholarships in his father's name to support students pursuing higher education.

Kaufman's philanthropic impact extends internationally with giveback initiatives in Puerto Rico and India and through strategic collaborations with global brands such as Nike and Adidas, as well as athletes and cultural figures including Victor Cruz and Kyrie Irving. He serves as Treasurer of the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation and as a member of the Board of Trustees at Jersey City Medical Center.