FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2019

CONTACTS
Lynn Stander, MCEDC
lynn.stander@thinkmoco.com
240.641.6713

Syndia A. Nazario-Cardona
Associate VP of Government Affairs and 
Community Relations, Ana G. Méndez University
snazario@uagm.edu
954.707.1287

FIRST AND ONLY UNITED STATES UNIVERSITY OFFERING FULLY BILINGUAL (ENGLISH/SPANISH) PROGRAMS IS RETAINED IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Rockville, Md. – Ana G. Méndez University (AGMU), a nonprofit, private, multi-campus university, has signed a lease for 28,500 square feet in the Inventa Towers at One Discovery Place. 

The educational facility will be housed on the second floor of the amenity-rich building that was formerly known as the Discovery Building. In addition to the retention of its current 26 Montgomery employees, AGMU has plans for an estimated 12 new full-time employees in its consolidated Capital Area campus. 

The new Ana G. Méndez University campus plans to open its new Silver Spring doors in May 2020. In the interim, AGMU has taken 16,500 square feet of space on the second floor of the Inventa Towers to use as swing space beginning in December 2019. 

“The Ana G Méndez University Capital Area Campus is pleased to be moving to this state-of-the-art building in such a central, diverse and accessible location, said President José F. Méndez. “We are very excited about the possibilities for larger classes and expanded offerings in this location.”

The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) began working with Ana G Méndez University in April of 2018 to facilitate consolidation of the present Capital Area Campus in Wheaton, Maryland and the university’s President and Government Affairs offices in Washington, D.C.  After an extensive regional search for commercial space, AGMU signed the Silver Spring lease. 

MCEDC provided valuable local real estate and process information as the company worked through its decision-making effort.

“Montgomery County and MCEDC are thrilled that Ana G. Méndez University will continue to provide this crucial and unique education in our County,” said Benjamin H. Wu, MCEDC’s President and CEO. “Bilingual professionals strengthen our community’s capabilities in multiple ways. We look forward to working with the university as it increases its capacity here.” 

“Montgomery County is proud of its diversity which provides a natural fit for this important institution,” noted County Council President Sidney Katz. “In addition to turning out great professional employees, Ana G. Méndez University supports local organizations with meeting space and other involvement. We appreciate their long-time and continued commitment to our community.” 

“It is gratifying that Ana G. Méndez saw the opportunity to expand here in the County,” said County Executive Marc Elrich.  “AGMU graduates are assets to our economy, and I am looking forward to having more of their talented students becoming a part of our local workforce.”

Ana G. Méndez University has roots dating back to 1949. It has enrolled over 44,000 students in its main institutions and 22 university centers in Puerto Rico, Florida, Maryland and Texas. It is the first and only United States university that offers a completely bilingual (English/Spanish) and accelerated adult program throughout its disciplines, called a “Discipline-Based Dual Language Immersion Model®”.

The Ana G. Méndez University Capital Area Campus serves approximately 340 adult learners in associates, bachelors, and master’s degree programs in 30 different subjects including nursing, business, education, criminal justice and psychology. Most university classes are held at night and on weekends to accommodate students’ professional and personal obligations.  

ABOUT MCEDC

The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) is the official public-private organization representing Montgomery County, Maryland. The organization was created in 2015 to help businesses start, grow, and relocate in Montgomery County by providing access to top talent, business and market intelligence and prime locations. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

ABOUT ANA G. MÉNDEZ UNIVERSITY (AGMU)

The Ana G. Méndez University (AGMU) has a trajectory of 70 years of history. It is the fastest-growing non-profit private institution of higher education in Puerto Rico, with enrollment of 44,000 students between its 22 university centers in Puerto Rico, Florida, Maryland and Texas. AGMU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and has gained recognition among higher education institutions for offering the first and only bilingual education program in the United States, Discipline-Based Dual Language Immersion Model® that responds to the real needs of the Hispanic community.