Dr. Marilyn D. Cardoso, Senior Vice President for Programs Development and Quality Assurance (PDQA) of Samar Colleges, Inc., was awarded as one of the first recipients of the Manuel T. Corpus Outstanding Quality Champion Award 2025 by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP).

The Manuel T. Corpus Outstanding Quality Champion Award was established by AACCUP in honor of its founder, Dr. Manuel T. Corpus. The award aims to promote quality assurance in public higher education and recognize SUC Presidents who have successfully implemented quality management systems. This is AACCUP’s highest honor for performance excellence, awarded to nominees who achieved Outstanding rating based on their accomplishments in four key areas: Leadership and Governance, Quality Assurance Culture Building, Quality Advocacy, and Institutional Outcomes.

Along with Dr. Cardoso are the other seven (7) recipients of this award, as follows:

• Dr. Shirley Agrupis (CHEd Commissioner; Immediate Past President, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University)

• Dr. Filomena Dayagbil (Immediate Past President, Cebu Normal University)

• Dr. Cecilia Gascon (Immediate Past President, Bulacan State University; Former President, Southern Luzon State University)

• Dr. Rolando Hechanova (Former President, Sultan Kudarat State University)

• Dr. Raul Muyong (Director, CHEd-Office of Institutional Quality Assurance and Governance; Immediate Past President, Iloilo Science and Technology University; Former President, National Network of Quality Assurance Agencies)

• Dr. Elsa Manarpaac (Former President, Western Philippines University)

• Dr. Diosdado Zulueta (President, Marinduque State University)

The awarding ceremony took place on March 7, 2025, during the 38th AACCUP National Conference and General Assembly at the Academic Building, Marikina State Polytechnic College, Marikina City.

Dr. Cardoso, former President of Samar State University (SSU), earned this recognition through her outstanding leadership in accreditation and academic development. Her contributions at SSU helped shape a strong culture of quality assurance in higher education. Now at Samar College, she brings the same commitment to excellence and her experience to further strengthen the institution’s quality standards.

The Samar College community proudly celebrates this well-earned recognition with her.

Congratulations, Dr. Cardoso!