By Mikee Natinga Norico
From left to right: Dr. Merle L. Junsay, Acting VP for Academic Affairs; Dr. Esther Rose A. Romarate, VP for Student Affairs; Dr. Florence P. Bogacia, VP for Finance & Enterprises; Dr. Susan De La Paz, Fulbright Specialist and Professor Emerita from the University of Maryland; University President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy; Engr. Dany C. Molina, VP for Administration; Dr. Maredil R. Ambos, Officer-in-Charge of the College of Education; and Dr. Joel Durban, faculty member of the CPU College of Education, pose for a group photo during Dr. De La Paz’s courtesy call held on August 4, 2025, at the Admin Conference Room.
Central Philippine University (CPU) proudly welcomed Dr. Susan De La Paz, a Fulbright Specialist and Professor Emerita from the University of Maryland, for a series of engagements and consultations during her institutional visit from August 4 to 26, 2025.
Dr. De La Paz is a highly respected academic and researcher with over 30 years of experience in higher education. A former speech-language pathologist, she has authored more than 60 research publications, a book on adolescent literacy, and numerous interventions focused on writing instruction for learners with and without disabilities. In 2024, she was named Distinguished Researcher of the Year by the American Educational Research Association’s Special and Inclusive Education Research Special Interest Group (SIG). She previously received a Fulbright Scholarship in 2023 to teach in Vietnam, where she championed inclusive practices in education and health sciences. Her ongoing advocacy for Universal Design for Learning (UDL) has made a global impact, and CPU is honored to be part of her mission to foster inclusive learning environments.
Her visit officially commenced with a courtesy call on August 4, marking the beginning of her collaboration with the university. The program opened with a prayer led by Dr. Maredil R. Ambos, Officer-in-Charge of the College of Education, followed by a formal introduction delivered by Dr. Joel Durban, faculty member of the CPU College of Education.
During her presentation, Dr. De La Paz provided an insightful overview of the Fulbright Specialist Program and outlined key topics she would be exploring with the CPU community throughout her stay. These include protections for college students with disabilities, learner variability and neurodiversity, multifaceted approaches to teaching, the design of accessible learning materials, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), citing her work at the University of Maryland (2021–2022).
The courtesy call was attended by CPU President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy; Dr. Esther Rose A. Romarate, Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA); Dr. Merle L. Junsay, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA); Dr. Florence P. Bogacia, Vice President for Finance & Enterprises (VPFE); Engr. Dany C. Molina, Vice President for Administration (VPA); Dr. Aries Roda D. Romallosa, Acting Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension (VPRDE); and representatives from the College of Education.
In the afternoon of August 4, Dr. De La Paz held a roundtable consultation with CPU’s College Deans and Department Heads at the Henry Luce III Library Conference Room. This session laid the groundwork for collaborative efforts in designing inclusive and accessible instructional and curricular policies.
On August 5, she was formally introduced to the entire CPU faculty and staff during the Faculty and Staff Conference 2025 held at the Rose Memorial Auditorium, where she was also given the opportunity to introduce herself and share about her mission as a Fulbright Specialist.
On August 6, she engaged in a series of focused dialogues with faculty members from the College of Education, College of Theology, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, College of Medical Laboratory Science, and College of Nursing.
Her consultative meetings continued on August 7 with faculty from the College of Engineering, College of Agriculture, Resources and Environmental Sciences, and College of Computer Studies. On August 8, she met with the heads of non-teaching units, emphasizing the importance of institutional inclusivity beyond classroom instruction.
From August 11 to 15, Dr. De La Paz is scheduled to hold additional consultation meetings with various cluster groups to support the development of a more inclusive academic environment across disciplines.
On August 18 and 19, she will collaborate closely with College Deans and Department Heads in drafting a University Policy on Inclusive Education. This policy is set to be formally presented on August 20 and 22 by CPU President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy, together with the Vice Presidents, Deans, and Department Heads.
Her institutional visit will culminate in a closing program on August 26, where the output of her collaboration with CPU will be formally recognized and celebrated.