Omar A. Vargas to Serve as Distinguished Speaker for the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

Seton Hall University and the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute are proud to welcome Omar A. Vargas, vice president and head of Global Public Policy at General Motors, as a 2025 distinguished speaker for Hispanic Heritage Month. The event will take place at 6 p.m., Thursday, September 25, 2025, in Bethany Hall A on the South Orange campus. Registration is required to attend.

Vargas is a respected leader in both the public and private sectors and brings with him a legacy of impactful advocacy, strategic leadership and dedication to community and civic engagement. In his role at General Motors, he oversees the company’s global government and regulatory affairs initiatives. His distinguished career also includes senior public policy affairs at 3M, Praxair and PepsiCo, as well as government service in the U.S. Department of Justice under President George W. Bush, where he focused on civil rights, national security, immigration, and crime victim services.

Vargas is a proud Pirate and Seton Hall alumnus who earned a B.A. in Political Science and Spanish Literature and was awarded the University’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Medal of Honor for academic excellence and community leadership. He later received both a J.D. and an M.A. from American University. Beyond his professional achievements, he has held numerous nonprofit and advisory board positions and has been named a Top Lobbyist by The Hill and Washingtonian Magazine for multiple consecutive years and has been recognized for leadership by advocacy organizations like the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund.

“Omar Vargas has been a part of Seton Hall since he was a child. He would accompany his mother as she was also earning her degree. His journey is a mirror of so many of our students. He exemplifies the kind of trailblazing leadership and commitment to public service that inspires the next generation,” said Lori Tarke, executive director of the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute. “We are honored to welcome him back to campus as our distinguished speaker.”

The evening promises an engaging conversation on leadership, public service and the importance of diverse voices in shaping public policy. All members of the Seton Hall community and the public are encouraged to attend.

For more information, please contact the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute at [email protected]. 

Categories: Alumni