USA names first woman lay as VPAA

The University of San Agustin announced the appointment of its newest academic leader, Prof. Regina Aileen May V. Vergara, Ph.D. as the first lay and first woman Vice President for Academic Affairs in the 116 years of Augustinian presence in the region.

Effective July 01, 2021, Vergara will be responsible for leading the academic affairs and will oversee the different colleges, departments, and programs of the university.

It was a long and diligent process of search and screening for the new Vice President for Academic Affairs of the University and upon recommendation of the University President, Rev. Fr. Frederick C. Comendador, OSA, in consultation with the General Advisory Council, the USA Board of Trustees approved this resolution during its BOT meeting on April 20, 2021.

Dr. Vergara earned her degrees in prestigious universities, including the University of San Agustin where she finished her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. She took her Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry, and Master of Science in Chemistry at the University of Sto. Tomas in 2012 and 2002, respectively as Cum Laude. In recognition of her scholarly endeavors, she was granted a Foreign Exchange Scholarship for her dissertation at the University of Houston, Texas, USA, she availed of the DOST Scholarship, and she was a beneficiary of Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE).

Her 24 years of extensive experience in the university as Director of SQMO (4 years), Dean of College of Arts and Sciences (2 years), Academic Supervisor of Chemistry Program (2 years), and Head of Operations of Atom Chemical Company, Inc. (10 years) are enough proof of manifestations for possessing the leadership and managing skills that are necessary for the VPAA role.

Her competence as a researcher in the field of biosensors and new materials earned her several international publications.

She has also honed her skill as an auditor/accreditor that has led the University of San Agustin in obtaining its ISO 9001:2015 certification, its deregulated status, and attaining 15 programs with Level II status, 6 Programs with Level I status, and 11 Programs with candidate status in a span of four years. She was conferred the title Full Professor by the BOT of the university, the fourth female faculty member to be given such honor, on account of her qualification and expertise in her chosen field.

This coming Academic Year 2021-2022 will be a new period for the Augustinian community where a woman and a lay complement in achieving great things for the University of San Agustin.