HISTORY DEPARTMENT Associate Professor Josefina Hofileña, who has a doctorate in history, is the new associate dean for Academic Affairs (ADAA) starting this school year.
The ADAA handles academic policies and programs, and ensures that university academic standards are constantly kept.
She will be replacing Philosophy Department Assistant Professor Eduardo Calasanz, who has held the position since 2007.
In an email interview with The GUIDON, Hofileña said that during her term, she aims to sustain whatever Calasanzhas successfully done in the past years.
“I hope to continue his efforts of working closely with the various academic departments, [programs and Loyola Schools (LS) offices] in looking after the academic needs of our students while at the same time ensuring that we uphold the academic standards of the LS,” she said.
Well-rounded performance
Vice President for the Loyola Schools (VPLS) John Paul Vergara, who has a doctorate in computer science and applications, commended Hofileña for being an active member of standing committees in the LS.
“She has chaired the Curriculum Committee and has done an excellent job in that post,” he said.
Vergara added that in choosing heads for offices, it is common practice to select people who are involved in the respective office committees.
In an interview with The GUIDON, History Department Assistant Professor David Lozada III commented that Hofileña is “more than capable” of handling the ADAA Office.
“I think with the advent of the changes as a result of the K [to] 12 program, Dr. Hofileña will be able to steer and lead the school’s academic programs in the right direction,” Lozada said.
He also noted that Hofileña is “well-loved and well-respected” among members of the student body and her fellow colleagues, who considers her as one of the best teachers in the History Department.
As for LS Coordinator for Teacher Formation Institute and Faculty Spiritual Formation Olivia Habana, who has a doctorate in Philippine studies, Hofileña’s “sterling qualities” makes her a perfect fit for the position. In particular, she mentioned that Hofileña is a “dedicated and hard working” person.
According to Habana, Hofileña has always maintained an organized disposition while at work. “We’ve been fixing the [LS] curriculum, and she’s always been the voice of reason.”
Moreover, Habana also expressed hopes about the Ateneo’s future academic pursuits with the new leadership under Hofileña.
“Before, there were instances of inconsistencies [in performance] or something slipping through the cracks. With her, I’m sure, those holes will be plugged,” Habana said.
An interdisciplinary approach
Hofileña said that she is tasked by the VPLS to organize a conference series called “Interdepartmental Conversations” along with Habana and LS Coordinator for Faculty DevelopmentKarina Fernandez, who has a doctorate in clinical psychology.
The said conferences series aims to serve as a venue for the various LS departments to work together in the hope of making the Ateneo’s academic courses and programs more interdisciplinary.
Two of the conferences were held last March and May, respectively.
This move is not only in line with LS efforts to strengthen collaboration across academic disciplinesbut also with the thrust of the new general education (GE) curriculum required by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
As stated in the CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 20, series of 2013, the new curriculum was made in response to the changes brought about by the K to12 basic educational curriculum, particularly the integration of GE courses from higher education programs into senior high school.
As proposed, the GE courses will have a total of 36 units consisting of 24 units of core courses, nine units of electives, and three units on the life and works of Rizal.
According to the CMO, the said courses fulfill the newcurriculum’s aim to expose college undergraduates to various domains of knowledge and social realities so as to develop “intellectual competencies and civic capacities.”
Reviewing the LS curriculum
Hofileña also mentioned that the Office of the ADAA, along with the LS Curriculum Committee, is in the process of reviewing the LS undergraduate core curriculum to adhere to the requirements of the new GE curriculum.
“We [will] actually do the planning for the new core [curriculum] where we [shall] integrate what was said in the new CHED GE,” said Hofileña.
She also expressed hopes of coming up with a curriculum that will keep up with the changes while keeping the Ateneo’s “strong liberal arts tradition.”
According to her, the general principles that constitute the Atenean core curriculum will remain the same, such as its competent integrated and student-centered learning as well as the formation of people for others.
