EDUCATION Dean Pilar Romero will remain in her post until December to ensure leadership continuity as the College of Education marks its 100th founding anniversary.
Romero, who reached the University’s mandatory retirement age of 65, said her deanship was extended following the request of UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P.
“Perhaps because he (Father Rector) wants to have a smooth transition for the College of Education, especially as it celebrates its centennial,” Romero told the Varsitarian.
“We have a lot of projects in the pipeline, so it’s a question of continuity,” she added.
Romero said the centennial milestone should serve as a reminder of the college’s mission to contribute to society through education.
“We are not called simply to deliver instruction. We are called to form future citizens who shall be socially engaged and who will make alive the vision of the university for social transformation,” she said.
In her remaining months in office, Romero said she would focus on succession planning to make sure that the college would stay on course beyond the centennial year.
The dean also hopes to leave behind a renewed vision of the teaching profession.
“To be a teacher is to be very good at many things, not only in teaching. You can be a very good influencer [and] a speaker. So, it’s a multifaceted picture of a teacher,” Romero said.
Romero was among the 38 faculty retirees honored in a testimonial ceremony on July 17, in recognition of her 44 years of service to the University.
The College of Education, which was founded in 1926 by Fr. Silvestre Sancho, O.P., launched its centennial celebration on Aug. 6 with lectures from Romero, Asst. Dean Louie Dasas, and Symon Lagao, program coordinator of library and information science.
In November 2024, the college’s bachelor’s programs in elementary and secondary education were recognized by the Philippine government as Centers of Excellence.
In April 2025, the college received a recognition from the Commission on Higher Education for meeting the standards of the teacher education program.
As part of the centennial celebration, a series of seminars and conferences from various departments have been lined up.
There will also be a ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Teacher Education Council and UST for Phase 2 of the Research Initiatives in Teacher Education project, as well as the 40th Fr. Antonio Gonzales, O.P. annual lecture in honor of the college’s first regent.
Other highlights include a grand alumni homecoming and the launching of the centennial coffee table book.
The celebration will run until May 2026. With reports from Ma. Irish F. Fery and Marielle F. Pesa
