BY: RIZALIE A. CALIBO
LARENA, Siquijor , March 26 (PIA)— In what seemed to be its grandest Investiture Ceremony and in time with the Women’s Month celebration, the Siquijor State College instated on March 18 its fourth, and the first woman president Dr. Ma. Imogen Tan Quilicot.
An educator and a leader, Dr. Quilicot is the daughter of the first president of the same institution, Dr. Tirso Luage Tan, and the late Margarita Arana Mijares.
Born on July 3, 1963, Jing, as she is fondly called, was quick to identify her management and leadership potentials as she steered her career towards this direction.
She earned her Doctorate degree of Philosophy in Educational Management , “Benemeritus”, at the University of Bohol in 2010 and the Doctorate degree in Education at the University of Southern Philippines in 2000.
Prior to this, she also earned Master in Education degree major in Administration and Supervision at Cebu State College of Science and Technology, now Cebu Technological University, in 1993.
She got her undergraduate degree in education major in Biology and minor in English at Silliman University in Dumaguete City.
Jing rose from the ranks. She was an instructor for 26 years, became an Assistant Professor and later promoted to Associate Professor and eventually, as Graduate School Professor.
She was designated as Dean of the College of Education from January 14, 2001 to June 14, 2010 and was later assigned as the Vice-President for Academic Affairs, at the same time Assistant Dean of the Graduate School.
On October 2010, she was made Vice-President for Academic Affairs.
Her latest Academic Rank is Professor II based on the Print-Out from the Zonal Computerization Center for 5th Cycle Evaluation.
On August 19, 2013, she assumed into office as the fourth and the first woman president of the Siquijor State College.
Dr. Quilicot’s leadership, according to one professor whom she has worked with, is “genuinely anchored on consultation and involvement among her constituents with output-oriented and definitiveness of purpose in her day-to-day task as a leader.”
“Our President is not remiss in acknowledging the Almighty Father, the Giver of life and wisdom,” the professor said, citing her membership and involvement in the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professional (BCBP) – Siquijor Outreach with her guiding principle: “I shall pass into this world but once. Any good thing, therefore that I can do, let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
The young and beauteous college president is married to Clifford Apiag Quilicot, the budget officer of the local government unit of Larena.
They are blessed with three children, one son, Cliff Jules and two lovely daughters, Erica Jean and Nicole.
With relevant management degrees, side by side with an extensive and comprehensive experience in the management of a State University and with the untiring support of her family, the new President said she firmly believes that she could propel and steer the College to greater heights and borderless education.
She envisions SSC to become a leading multidisciplinary, research-driven and globally competitive higher education institution contributing to sustainable growth and development.
With all guests clad in Filipiniana- inspired attire at SSC Cultural and Sports Center, the Investiture Ceremony was graced by Philippine Association of State Colleges and Universities (PASUC) VII Chairperson and president of Cebu Normal University Dr. Marcelo T. Lopez and the lady representative of the Lone District of Siquijor, Cong. Marie Anne A. Pernes.
Marcelo gave the Opening Proclamation while Cong. Pernes presented the Presidential Medallion to the new president.
The affair was also graced by the schools’ and the local government’s key officials, the new president’s families and predecessors and their representatives, heads of national agencies and private institutions, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and students. (rmn/RAC/PIA-Siquijor)