UOG President Enriquez begins five-year term

Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez, 12th president of the University of Guam, is seen in the Jesus and Eugenia Leon Guerrero School of Business and Public Administration Building in Mangilao on August 3, 2023.

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. 

Dr. Enriquez named UOG’s 12th President

The University of Guam Board of Regents (BOR) on Thursday, June 22, 2023, selected Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez as the next President of the University of Guam.  Congratulations, Dr. Enriquez!

UOG Charter Day - March 2

 

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.

‘Just push forward’: Upcoming master’s degree grad and cancer survivor shares story

Shirley Biala Balmeo will be one of more than 250 students who will receive their diplomas during the 2022 Fanuchånan Commencement at the University of Guam on Dec. 18.  

In a sea of graduates wearing caps and gowns on Sunday, Balmeo will not stand out conspicuously from the others who will be receiving their diplomas.  

But if you hear her story, the day she receives a second Master of Education degree will be a testimony of her personal triumph and not just her academic feat.  

The mother, middle school teacher for almost two decades, and graduate student was quietly battling breast cancer mid-life as she carried on with meeting the academic requirements for her master’s degree the past several months.  

And it was a battle she did not expect.  

At the beginning of this semester, Balmeo went for a routine mammogram, which is something she had done just as a matter of procedure. This year, when the scheduling to get a routine mammogram appeared to be more complex than necessary, she thought about being screened another time, but her husband Manny Balmeo persuaded her to just get it done. 

It turned out to be the one mammogram screening that would send her into a maze of more health screenings and tests and medical appointments and ultimately surgery – all while completing her homework and projects.  

She is going to earn a Master of Education with specialization in reading, to become more focused on classroom literacy and intervention. Her first graduate degree focused more on educational leadership.  

With her health crisis, she decided to carry on with her graduate studies.  

Balmeo compared her view to running a marathon: She’s past the point of turning back and is so close to the finish line, so she might as well finish what she started.  

But as sure as she was about her decision, it also left her feeling vulnerable – so much so that at one point she felt, she had lost control of all her academic responsibilities for her studies and wondered if all her major assignments were submitted on time – while she was undergoing treatment off island. 

It was during this time that she finally messaged one of her professors and shared with her that she was going through breast cancer surgery and post-surgery care. Prior to that point, none of her professors knew about her health crisis.  

“There was one instance when I was struggling with an assignment, and I wanted to make sure that I had submitted it and I don't know if it was the time difference or whatnot, but I had to just let my professor know that I was off island and why,” she said.  

She remembered Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, assistant professor in the UOG School of Education, as among the educators who supported her as soon as Rivera found out.  

Shirley Balmeo got through the demands from home as a mom and wife, her academic requirements, her obligation to her students, and attending to her health care by approaching the seemingly daunting tasks piecemeal: She took steps one day at a time, one week at a time, one medical appointment at a time, and one assignment at a time.  

Eventually, all her assignments and work required were submitted.  

"It helps to have a circle of support from family members, educators and others, including the cancer support groups in Guam," she said. For current and future students who might hit rough spots while pursuing degrees, here’s a piece of advice based on her experience.  

“When you get through a situation that seems daunting, and there seems no way out, take it a day at a time and get support. You don’t need to do it alone,” she said.  

“Just push forward; there's always tomorrow. I guess what I'm trying to say is there's always hope that you’ll get through it – even if it's just talking to your professors and letting them know what you're going through, and you know, I was pretty lucky that Dr. Rivera was supportive.” 

Dr. Rivera said her team is dedicated and committed to providing students with quality education.   

“We sincerely want our students to succeed and achieve their goals in life,” Rivera said.  

“Shirley has shown that despite adversity, with faith, hope, and the will to succeed, one can achieve great things.”

Please see original story at https://www.uog.edu/news-announcements/2022-2023/just-push-forward-upcoming-masters-degree-grad-and-cancer-survivor-shares-story.php

 

More than 250 to receive diplomas at UOG commencement Dec. 18

The University of Guam congratulates approximately 253 graduate and undergraduate students as they receive diplomas during the Fanuchånan 2022 Commencement on Sunday, Dec. 18

The ceremony will start at 2 p.m. at the Calvo Field House and will be streamed on the UOG Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UniversityofGuam/

Dr. Joleen Aguon, a UOG alumna who holds management roles at the Guam Memorial Hospital, including as the associate administrator of clinical services, assistant associate administrator of medical services, and medical director of telemedicine and medical director of ICU/CCU, will be the commencement speaker. 

Many of the university's graduates will be laying new ground as the first in their respective families to complete a college education. UOG data show nearly one in three of its students self-reported as first-generation college students. 

Condolences for the Artero Family

 

The SOE family extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Dr. Margaret Torres Artero, Retired Professor of Counseling at the University of Guam's School of Education.  Dr. Artero will always be remembered. God Bless her and her family. May she rest in peace.

Join us for our D204 Lions Clubs New Year's Saturday Story Hour - Jan. 7

Register at https://bit.ly/lionsclubreading We look forward to seeing you there! 🦁🎉📚🌠 😀