CPAf conducted the “turnover of the gavel” from outgoing dean Rowena DT. Baconguis to Dr. Aileen V. Lapitan in a program held on April 11, 2024, at CPAf Rooms 303 and 304.

The turnover ceremony symbolized the leadership transition in CPAf. After the ceremony, Dean Lapitan led the first town hall meeting under her term to formally address the CPAf constituents.

The ceremony began with a speech from Dr. Baconguis, where she gave advice and messages of support for Dean Lapitan. “As part of the [executive committee] in the past, I know you already have an inkling of how to manage CPAf. I know that you will be prioritizing CPAf in all the things that you do,” Dr. Baconguis said. 

Dean Lapitan accepted the symbolic gavel from Dr. Baconguis, witnessed by UPLB Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr. and Vice Chancellor for Administration Rolando T. Bello. “She inspires trust and confidence among the people she works with, and thus, able to promote a culture of perseverance and collaboration, making it possible for her team to achieve great things,” Dr. Evelie Serrano said in her introduction of Dr. Lapitan. 

Acceptance speech

In her acceptance speech, Dean Lapitan encouraged the CPAf constituents to promote its instruction, research, and public service. She urged the faculty members to develop up-to-par courses and world-class students and advisees. Dean Lapitan also addressed the researchers of CPAf to share their research results and extension activities to vast audiences for policy and scholarship. 

Posing a challenge to the student leaders of CPAf, Dean Lapitan said, “Wherever you go, you carry our name, so make sure you do everything according to the values and the standards of CPAf, whether as community leaders or as professionals.”

Dean Lapitan then presented the new executive committee members, Nelson Jose Vincent B. Querijero, as the OIC-director of the Center for Strategic Planning and Policy Studies (CSPPS) and Dr. Mayo Grace C. Amit as the incoming director of the Institute for Governance and Rural Development (IGRD). New appointments have also been appointed to positions at the Dean’s Office. Dr. Rhea L. Gumasing is the assistant to the dean and Dr. Maria Luz L. Malabayabas is Knowledge Management Office (KMO) head.

UPLB Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr. and Vice Chancellor Bello graced the event and offered messages of acknowledgment to Dr. Baconguis and support to Dean Lapitan. “With the support of our faculty members, administrative staff, and alumni, we are especially well-placed in the academe, bureaucracy, executive, and judiciary levels. I hope you can nurture their affinity to CPAf,” Chancellor Camacho added.

Immediately after the ceremony, Dean Lapitan facilitated the town hall meeting to address some concerns through an open forum. The faculty members, REPS, and administrative staff of the College attended this event. 

About the new dean of CPAf 

Dr. Aileen  Lapitan is an assistant professor at the Institute for Governance and Rural Development (IGRD). She was a former director of one of the research centers of CPAf, the Center for Strategic Planning and Policy Studies (CSPPS), where she led the implementation of the Development Innovations and Policy Laboratory (DIPLab), a PCAARRD and UPLB-funded project that bridges AAN research to policy. Dr. Lapitan is a faculty member involved in curriculum development and student mentoring in the Development Management and Governance, Public Affairs, and Development Studies graduate programs. She is a member of the American Evaluation Association, a certified expert in adaptation finance, and a John Dillon Fellow.

Dr. Lapitan holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from UPLB, a Master of Arts (Economics) from UP-Diliman, and a doctorate in public policy from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USA. (Michiko Buot)