Universidad Ana G. Méndez – Recinto de Gurabo

With a history of more than 40 years, Ana G. Méndez University, Gurabo Campus (formerly Turabo University) is the fastest growing private institution of higher education in the country. Accredited by the prestigious agency Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Ana G. Méndez University, Gurabo Campus also has several professional accreditations which add a seal of quality to the education of its students.

The main campus has a privileged space in the central eastern area of Puerto Rico and its five locations located in the towns of Barceloneta, Cayey, Isabela, Ponce and Yabucoa offer the student a safe environment, freedom of thought and physical facilities of first. At Ana G. Méndez University, Gurabo Campus you can choose from more than 100 academic programs among technical certificates, associate degrees, baccalaureate, masters and doctorates. In addition, you can study in person or remotely with our online academic offer.

Mission, vision and values

Our mission

The Ana G. Méndez University. Gurabo Campus is a higher education institution with a wide academic offer framed in the highest quality standards. Committed to excellence in teaching, research, innovation, internationalization and socio-humanistic development of a diverse academic population, Ana G. Méndez University, Gurabo Campus forms global citizens, of critical thinking that contribute to development and welfare of Puerto Rico and other countries.

2025 vision

The vision of the Ana G. Méndez University, Gurabo Campus is to be the leading educational institution in teaching and research, which promotes innovation, entrepreneurship, internationalization and sensitivity towards cultural diversity and the environment.

Our values

Ana G. Méndez University, Gurabo Campus is committed to:

• freedom of thought and expression
• recognition and respect for diversity
• Respect for the dignity of the individual
• excellence in teaching and the generation, dissemination and application of knowledge
• the promotion of ethical, social and cultural values
• excellence in planning, operation and service
• Respect for the environment and nature
• the promotion of human and aesthetic sensibility

Buro Millennial / Pexels

Our rector

Dr. David Méndez Pagán, current rector of Ana G. Méndez University, Gurabo Campus, is an educator with more than 20 years of diverse experiences in higher education administration, international affairs, student support services, undergraduate education and Postgraduate, development and coordination of programs, corporate relations and management of programs financed by external resources.

He has shared these experiences through presentations at several national and international conferences, such as: the World Congress of Comparative Education; the Latin American Congress of Education of the College Board; the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, national and international conferences; the Hispanic National Achievement Awards Conference; the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; and the Digital Library in Thesis and Dissertation Network.

As a higher education administrator, Dr. Méndez played a key role in the development of innovative programs at state and private universities in the United States, such as: New York University, Rutgers University, the University of Texas at Austin and the University from Princeton. These experiences allowed him to become the first dean of doctoral studies at the University of Turabo (UT), today Ana G. Méndez University, Gurabo Campus.

He obtained a sabbatical of one year to work as director of dissertation of publications in Proquest UMI. Opportunity to liaise with more than 600 universities around the world. Upon his return he was appointed Vice Chancellor of International Affairs at UT and then as Vice President of International Affairs for the Ana G. Méndez University System (SUAGM) in Puerto Rico. Where one of its priorities was international relations from a systemic perspective and to develop a comprehensive internationalization plan that would support the global expansion of SUAGM.

Since 2013, he was selected to become a spokesman and coordinator of the global center for the global citizenship initiative of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI). Where more than 1,200 universities around the world are developing collaborative projects that support the ten principles of the United Nations, as global citizenship.

In 2014, he was named as one of the 30 leading leaders in the internationalization of higher education institutions by the Internationalization Leaders Institute of the American Council of Education and the Association of International Education Administrators.

For the past 16 years he remains an educator and is a professor at the School of Education of the (UAGM-Gurabo).

Dr. Méndez obtained his PhD in Educational Sciences at the University of New York and his baccalaureate at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez campus. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he spends his free time traveling and dedicating himself to visual arts and music. As an artist, his works were presented at the universities where he worked and, during the last ten years, at the San Sebastián Festival of the Arts of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, where he won first prize in the original art division.

How to get?

From the metropolitan area

Take the Luis A. Ferré PR-52 Highway in the direction of Ponce. After driving for approximately 20 minutes, exit right at exit 14 that leads to the PR-1 and PR-30. Stay in the right lane, go under the bridge and turn slightly to the right to take Cruz Ortiz Stella PR-30 express. Connect to PR-30. Drive for about three minutes. Take exit 4 on the right towards the PR-189 road. Turn right to connect on the PR-189 road. Ana G. Méndez University, Gurabo Campus will be on the left side later.

From the east area

Take Cruz Ortiz Stella PR-30 express towards Gurabo. After driving for approximately 25 minutes, turn right at exit 4 towards PR-189. Turn left to connect to the PR-189 road. Ana G. Méndez University, Gurabo Campus will be a few steps on the left.

From the south

Take the Luis A. Ferré PR-52 Highway in the direction of San Juan. After driving for approximately 40 minutes, take the exit on the right to the Cruz Ortiz Stella PR-30 express. Drive for about three minutes. Take exit 4 on the right towards the PR-189 road. Turn right to connect on the PR-189 road. Ana G. Méndez University, Gurabo Campus will be on the left.