Congratulations to the newly-elected SOE Alumni Officers who were officially elected on December 9, 2023! They include the following:
Family members, friends, and dignitaries from across the Micronesia region gathered to celebrate 220 graduates during the University of Guam’s Fanuchånan 2023 Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, December 17, at the UOG Calvo Field House.
The commencement speaker, a former high school dropout who grew up poor, and became an internationally known motivational and keynote speaker, shared some of his most life-changing lessons.
Dr. Samuel Betances said before he got accepted into college, he volunteered for jobs that no one else wanted, and in doing so received mentorship that encouraged him to read.
“Read memoirs about people who had it tougher than you that bounced back and managed to excel,” said Dr. Betances, who holds a master’s degree and a doctoral degree in education from Harvard University.
He urged the graduates to continue learning, become someone’s mentor, and be part of change for a better community.
“The fires are raging, and it is your turn to hold the hose,” he said, receiving an enthusiastic response from the graduates, their family members, and friends.
UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez encouraged the graduates to share the University’s “values of respect, compassion and community.”
“Give back in your capacities as new professionals, as value-added critical thinkers and problem-solvers, be represented in all industry sectors, and work collaboratively and in harmony with and through others as Triton alumni,” the President said.
Aspiring psychologist Haley Mae M. Carreon is the valedictorian. Born in Guam and the daughter of Filipino immigrants Andy Carreon, an electrical engineer, and Shirley Carreon, an accountant, Haley Carreon credits her family’s strong support of her education since childhood. She said she practiced good time management, a solid work ethic, and the humility she learned from home. She studied psychology as her major and sociology was her minor.
“We gather here not just as graduates but also as people who have experienced a transformative journey, molded by the obstacles we have overcome, the knowledge we have gained, and the connections we have created here at UOG,” the valedictorian said. “Today is not just a culmination of four years of hard work, it is a celebration of resilience and growth.”
The graduates overcame almost three years of the pandemic and the devastation caused by Typhoon Mawar.
The commencement also celebrated 22 graduates who comprise the first cohort in the Master of Accountancy Program at the School of Business Administration.
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The University of Guam Board of Regents and Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez last week executed the contract officially appointing her as the 12th president of UOG.
Dr. Enriquez assumed her new role as president effective August 6, following a search process that began with 30 U.S. and international applicants and was later whittled down to three finalists. She moves to the presidency after serving as the senior vice president and provost at UOG for the last 10 years.
"The Board is excited about the future of the University under her capable leadership," said Chairperson Liza Provido. "We are confident that she will bring a wealth of experience, leadership, and vision to her new role, leading UOG to even greater heights."
Over her 30-year career at UOG, Dr. Enriquez has held other administrator positions — including serving as the first female CHamoru dean of the UOG School of Business and Public Administration, interim director of the Center for Continuing Education and Outreach Programs, and most recently, the senior vice president and provost.
In addition to her career in academia, Dr. Enriquez has extensive private sector experience in organizational management and marketing and as an entrepreneur. She believes her careers in private enterprise and public service fuels her passion for workforce and economic development for the island and the rest of Micronesia.
"The University of Guam is a conduit that energizes our economy, provides our community opportunities for social mobility, informs public policy, and cultivates our future thought leaders," said Dr. Enriquez.
Thankful for the Board’s vote of confidence, Dr. Enriquez said she will be guided by Guam's “cultural values of respect, of compassion, of community.
The University's mission is 'Ina, Deskubre, Setbe — To Enlighten, To Discover, To Serve," she said. "Student-centered focus and service to our island and region is woven into everything we do as a university."
Dr. Enriquez holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Guam, and a Doctor of Business Administration in International Business Administration (Marketing) from Alliant International University.
Dr. Enriquez is the second woman to become president in the 71-year history of UOG. The late Rosa Carter was president of the university from 1977 to 1983.
The transition in leadership follows the completion of former President Thomas W. Krise’s five-year term on August 5.
The schedule for Dr. Enriquez's investiture ceremony will be announced in the coming weeks.
Congratulations to SOE Alumni Association Webmaster Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera for receiving her Ph.D. in Educational Management from Philippine Women's University! Bravo Zulu, Dr. Rivera!
Congratulations to SOE for the Board of Regents’ approval of the EdD in Instructional and Academic Leadership. This is uniquely groundbreaking for UOG and SOE, as it is the first doctoral program in the university's 70-year history! Biba SOE! Biba UOG!
We are delighted to introduce our Spring 2023 SOE Newsletter! Congratulations to all our graduates, and thank you to our classroom supervisors, committee members, faculty, staff, and community partners for making this semester memorable! http://mnrivera.bravehost.com/SOE.Spring.2023.Newsletter.pdf
This year marks the 55th UOG Charter Day celebration, marking the anniversary of the University’s founding in 1952 and the signing of the charter that renamed the Territorial College of Guam to the University of Guam in 1968.
Charter Day is typically the largest community event held on the University of Guam campus every year — with more than 6,000 people in attendance enjoying food, games, demonstrations, and activities. This year, the celebration will include live music and entertainment, food trucks, vendors, campus tours and more!
Check out the Schedule page for the complete list of activities!
Under the theme "UOG Forward," this year's celebration looks to the future of the University's role in academics, research, and service.
