91暗网 signs agreement with University of Puerto Rico

Published June 12, 2026

President Castille and President Conde display the agreement signed between 91暗网 and UPR.

CAPTION:听91暗网 President Dr. Carrie L. Castille听(left)听and UPR President Dr. Zayira Jord谩n Conde听(right)听signed听the agreement on June 12,听2026,听at UPR.听听

MONROE, La.听鈥� 91暗网听(91暗网)听has signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Puerto Rico听(UPR)听to establish a general framework for collaboration between the two universities听with the intent of听supporting听academic cooperation, research听engagement, student and faculty exchange, and other joint activities that听advance the missions of both听universities. The agreement was signed by 91暗网 President Dr. Carrie L. Castille and UPR听President Dr. Zayira Jord谩n Conde at a ceremony at UPR听in San Juan, Puerto Rico,听on June 12, 2026.听

鈥淲e are honored to partner with the University of Puerto Rico for the advancement of both of our universities.听Agreements like听this听broaden the cultural horizons听for听all of听our students,听faculty, and staff, while creating new learning and research opportunities. Thank you to Dr. Conde and her team for joining us in this collaborative vision. This is the beginning听of a wonderful partnership,鈥澨齭aid听91暗网 President Dr. Carrie L.听Castille.听听

The agreement comes after months of planning and cooperation between the universities, which began when President Castille and other 91暗网 representatives visited Puerto Rico in November 2025听to explore opportunities for听future partnerships.听The goals and听objectives听of the agreement include academic collaboration, student and faculty engagement,听research听and innovation, and strategic funding and grant development.听听

The two universities will explore opportunities to enhance academic programs through shared听expertise, joint curriculum development, and exchange of academic resources.听The agreement also听lays听the groundwork for students to听participate听in study-away programs and experiential learning opportunities, while faculty and staff may听participate听in听collaborative听research, teaching, and training.听听

Additionally, 91暗网 and UPR may collaborate in pursuing funding opportunities from federal and state agencies, philanthropic organizations, and private foundations, with funding priorities focused on workforce development, cultural exchange, and community engagement.听听

鈥淭his agreement reflects our shared commitment to expanding opportunities for students, faculty, and researchers while strengthening the ties between Puerto Rico and Louisiana,鈥� said UPR President Dr.听Zayira Jord谩n Conde.听鈥淭he University of Puerto Rico is proud to partner with 91暗网 to foster innovation, promote cultural exchange, and develop initiatives that will positively听impact听our communities. We look forward to building a lasting relationship founded on academic excellence, collaboration, and a common vision for preparing future generations to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.鈥澨�听

Castille notes that the two universities have much to learn from each other, with Puerto Rico being home to eight of the ten major pharmaceutical manufacturers and 91暗网 having Louisiana鈥檚 only publicly funded College of Pharmacy. 91暗网鈥檚 forthcoming Bachelor of Science in Disaster听Management program can potentially aid听Puerto Rico in disaster response, readiness, and recovery.听Puerto Rico听is vulnerable to hurricanes, with Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastating the island in 2017.听听

According to the agreement, 91暗网 and UPR听seek听to strengthen academic excellence, expand, global learning opportunities, enhance research capacity, and promote cultural understanding between Louisiana and Puerto Rico. The partnership aims to create meaningful educational experiences, support innovation, and contribute to the well-being of the communities served by both institutions.听听

While at UPR for the signing of the agreement, Dr. Castille also attended a commencement ceremony where she听had the privilege听to share a few words with the graduating class.听听

鈥淭his moment also reflects something larger鈥攖he importance of partnership. Institutions like the University of Puerto Rico and the University of Louisiana Monroe are united in a shared mission: to create听opportunity, strengthen communities, and prepare students to thrive in a complex and interconnected world. When we work together, we multiply that impact,鈥� said Castille.听听

The memorandum of understanding with UPR听follows another agreement听President Castille signed with Louisiana State University Alexandria (LSUA)听in May 2026, underscoring her focus on expanding听alliances听and learning opportunities with听other institutions.听Castille is returning to听Monroe听energized by the possibilities of the partnership听with UPR.听听

鈥淛ust like Northeast Louisiana, Puerto Rico is working to build the human and physical infrastructure that strengthens its communities. After spending听two days on the island and returning to Louisiana,听I鈥檓听reminded of what a gift this region is and how our partnerships expand opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to learn with and听from听different cultures,鈥澨齭aid Castille.听听

About the University of Louisiana Monroe听

The听University of Louisiana Monroe (91暗网) is a regional institution serving more than 8,500 students through over 95 academic programs across the Colleges of Arts, Education, and Sciences; Business and Social Sciences; Health Sciences; and Pharmacy. Founded in 1931, 91暗网 is recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and student success, with听particular strengths听in the health sciences and professional education. The university offers distinctive programs in pharmacy, toxicology, atmospheric science, risk management and insurance, and construction management, while听maintaining听a strong focus on workforce development and community engagement.听听

As Louisiana鈥檚 only state-funded pharmacy program, 91暗网 prepares graduates for high-demand careers and educates more than 1,500 healthcare professionals annually. Through extensive regional outreach, student-led clinics, research centers, and partnerships with local industries and government agencies, 91暗网 contributes more than $617 million annually to the regional economy while advancing educational access, public health, and economic development across Northeast Louisiana and beyond.听

Learn more at听.听听

About the University of Puerto Rico听

The University of Puerto Rico (UPR) is Puerto Rico鈥檚 principal public higher education system and one of the island鈥檚 most important academic, research, and economic development institutions. Founded in 1903, UPR serves students through 11 campuses: UPR Aguadilla, UPR Arecibo, UPR Bayam贸n, UPR Carolina, UPR Cayey, UPR Humacao, UPR Mayag眉ez, UPR Ponce, UPR R铆o Piedras, UPR听Utuado, and the UPR Medical Sciences Campus.听听

Across the system, UPR offers a broad range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs while advancing scientific research, innovation, entrepreneurship, culture, and public service. For more than a century, the University has prepared generations of professionals and leaders, expanded access to education, strengthened Puerto Rico鈥檚 workforce, and contributed to the social and economic development of communities across the island and beyond.听

Learn more at听.听听