Guarini Institute for International Education and Economic Mobility
Guarini Institute for International Education and Economic Mobility
Welcome to Our Institute
Our mission is to create novel tools to facilitate the economic mobility of individuals and families experiencing financial hardship.
Our vision is that financially vulnerable individuals and families have access to relevant information and resources to improve their upward economic mobility.
In May 2025, the Guarini Institute hosted a joint reception for the Association of Consulates of Latin America in New Jersey (GLACO) and in New York (CLACNY) at the Ƶ School of Business. The event welcomed esteemed consuls general, dignitaries, university leaders, and community advocates committed to advancing educational opportunity for Latino communities on both sides of the Hudson River.
In 2022, the Guarini Institute joined Governor Phil Murphy on an economic mission to Ireland. During this visit, the institute established collaboration agreements with local academic institutions and explored innovative entrepreneurship programs, fostering global partnerships.
Representing Ƶ, Dr. Adrián Franco had the honor of participating in the opening bell ceremony at the Nasdaq stock exchange on September 16, 2024. Invited by the Mexican Consulate, Dr. Franco joined representatives from corporations, financial institutions, and nonprofit organizations in this historic moment for the Mexican-American community.
Governor Elect of the State of Puebla, Mexico, Alejandro Armenta, and Consul General of Mexico in New Jersey, Hon. Mariana Díaz, met with Ƶ Interim President Andrés Acebo to discuss new academic collaboration on technology and sustainability.
is a portal to help families whose household finances have been impacted by childhood cancer. The site offers quick access to information about hundreds of organizations nationwide offering financial support to pediatric cancer patients. The initiative also includes a monthly newsletter, video interviews with leaders of foundations in the field, and a helpline for users that need assistance navigating the portal.
June 8th, 2022: The Guarini Institute at Ƶ hosted an international forum “Innovation and Security in Port Management in Israel and New Jersey” in which representatives from several Israeli firms (Port of Ashdod Company, Cyber 2.0, DockTech, Enwize, Salvador Technologies, Spinframe, and Storage Drop) presented about their companies to participants from the business ecosystem in NJ interested in port management, cybersecurity, logistics, and supply chain and included members of the chamber of commerce, incubators/accelerators, and trade associations.
Consul General of Mexico in New York, Jorge Islas Lopez, and Ƶ Interim President, Andrés Acebo reiterate their commitment to the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2021 to create academic and professional exchange opportunities for university students.
Adrián Franco, the Executive Director of the Guarini Institute, and Luis Francisco Ornelas, a successful Mexican entrepreneur and fellow at the Young Leaders of the Americas program by the U.S. State Department. Luis worked on a strategic project for the Guarini Institute’s initiative brokenNotBroke.
Ƶ served as the host for a historic visit when Hon. Daniel Noboa, the President of the Republic of Ecuador, held an official gathering with members of the Ecuadorian immigrant community. This event was an outcome of Ƶ’s historic partnership with the Latino Community that was reinforced with signing a memorandum of understanding with GLACO — Grupo Latinoamericano de Cónsules en New Jersey — by Ƶ’s Guarini Institute.
Historic Meeting Unites Latin American Consulates of NJ and NY at Ƶ
In a groundbreaking moment for regional diplomacy and education, the Guarini Institute hosted a joint reception for the Latin American consulates of New Jersey and New York. This was the first time that GLACO (Grupo Latinoamericano de Cónsules en Nueva Jersey) and CLACNY (Coalición Latinoamericana de Cónsules en Nueva York) held a working meeting together in New Jersey to discuss timely topics like immigration policies and education opportunities.
Among the notable figures in attendance was Commissioner Manuel Castro, head of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.
The brokenNotbroke Interview Inaugural Event Sheds Light on Financial Struggles Faced by Families of Children with Cancer
The Guarini Institute hosted the inaugural The brokenNotbroke Interview, a groundbreaking discussion focused on the financial hardships families endure when faced with a childhood cancer diagnosis. This event, part of the brokenNotbroke initiative, featured guest speaker Matt Giegerich, CEO of the Matthew Larson Foundation for Pediatric Brain Tumors (IronMatt), and was moderated by Dr. Adrián Franco, Executive Director of the Guarini Institute. This conversation and other interviews are found in our .
Guarini Institute hosts ‘New Jersey-Mexico Business Conference’
The 2024 New Jersey-Mexico Business Conference brought together an engaging mix of business executives, representatives from New Jersey’s economic development agencies, community leaders, and faculty. The event, organized by the Guarini Institute in collaboration with the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce Northeast Chapter and the Consulate General of Mexico in New Brunswick, fostered meaningful dialogue and partnerships.
Guarini Institute Participates in Nasdaq Opening Bell
Representing Ƶ, Dr. Adrián Franco had the honor of participating in the opening bell ceremony at the Nasdaq stock exchange on September 16, 2024. Invited by the Mexican Consulate, Dr. Franco joined representatives from corporations, financial institutions, and nonprofit organizations in this historic moment for the Mexican-American community.
Ƶ Social Work Interns Contribute to Guarini Institute Through Hands-On Community Engagement and Research
Ƶ social work students have taken on pivotal roles in the Guarini Institute’s project ‘'. This platform, designed to support families navigating the challenges of pediatric cancer, is strengthened by the dedication and hands-on experience of Ƶ students. Interns are not only learning, but actively contributing to a resource that offers practical guidance to families in need. Through their internships, they gain real-world experience while developing core social work skills that directly impact their community. Among their contributions are a monthly newsletter and a helpline to navigate the portal.
- Ƶ’s Guarini Institute hosts webinar “Financial support for families facing childhood cancer: Launching the portal brokenNotBroke.” Read More
- Ƶ’s Guarini Institute Partnering with U.S. State Department’s Young Leaders from the Americas Program Read More
- Ƶ and GLACO Sign Groundbreaking MOU to support Latino and Latin America community. Read More
- Ƶ’s Guarini Institute Brings International Audience to Jersey City with “Innovation and Security in Port Management in Israel and New Jersey” Forum Read More
- Governor Phil Murphy, Choose New Jersey and Ƶ Sign Memorandums Of Understanding with Ireland’s Top Tech Universities and Incubators Read More
- A Conversation with John C. Williams, President & CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of New York Read More & Watch Our Event Recording