At the signing of the MOU, from left: Karen Boroff; Vice-Rector for Internalization
of UPM, Luis Salgado Alvarez de Sotomayor; Héctor Lozada-Vega; and Assistant to the
Vice-Rector for the North American region, Isabel Ortiz.
Seton Hall University’s Stillman School of Business recently concluded a transformative faculty-led program during spring break 2025,
focusing on organizational behavior, a core business course. The program, held at
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) in Spain and led by Dean Emerita Karen Boroff, Ph.D., provided students with an immersive international experience, blending academic
rigor with cultural exploration. Boroff, currently a Fulbright scholar in Madrid,
guided students through intensive coursework while they experienced life as Madrileños
for the week. The program was also supported by Héctor Lozada-Vega, Ph.D., director of the Stillman School’s Institute for International Business.
The program culminated in a landmark memorandum of understanding between Seton Hall
and UPM. This partnership aims to foster faculty, staff and student exchanges as well
as collaborative research and publishing opportunities. In the QS World University
Rankings 2025, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid is ranked as the top Spanish technical
university and among the top 25 percent of institutions worldwide. Potential future
initiatives include joint academic certificates in areas such as engineering and entrepreneurship,
further enhancing Seton Hall’s global academic footprint.
“This agreement is a natural extension of the work we have done through our faculty-led
program in Madrid,” Boroff said. “Our students have had the opportunity to engage
with UPM faculty and business leaders in Spain, broadening their perspectives and
deepening their understanding of organizational behavior in a global context. We are
excited about the future possibilities for faculty and student collaboration in both
teaching and research.”
Assistant Provost Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D., highlighted how this partnership aligns with Seton Hall’s broader international
strategy. “Our collaboration with UPM is a significant step in expanding Seton Hall’s
global partnerships with a top university. It aligns well with our new membership
in the European Institute for Innovation and Technology and our strategic goals to
increase engagement with European academic and research institutions,” she said.
Lozada-Vega, who is a key leader for study abroad and exchange programs for the Stillman
School, emphasized the value of such partnerships for students. “International experiences
like this one equip our students across all majors with the global competencies needed
to excel in today’s interconnected business world. The new partnership with UPM will
open doors for more students to study abroad, engage in cross-cultural business projects
and collaborate with peers from a top European university.”
“This agreement highlights Seton Hall’s commitment to global education and enhancing
student learning through meaningful international partnerships,” Stillman School Dean Joyce Strawser, Ph.D., said. “As the university continues to expand its global reach, collaborations like
this will play a key role in preparing students for success in an increasingly interconnected
world.”
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