New Dean of the School of Social Sciences (Memo U2021-039)

Upon the recommendation of the Search Committee for the School of Social Sciences Dean, and with the approval of the Executive Committee of the Ateneo de Manila Board of Trustees, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Czarina “Bopeep” A Saloma-Akpedonu as Dean of the School of Social Sciences for an initial 3-year term, from 1 June 2021 to 31 May 2024.

Dr Saloma-Akpedonu has been with the University since 1994 in different capacities as researcher, faculty member, and administrator. She is Professor and former Chair (2005-2010; 2017-2018) of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and served as Director of the Institute of Philippine Culture (2007-2013). She currently chairs the University Committee on Decorum & Investigation.

Bopeep obtained her doctoral degree in Sociology from Universität Bielefeld in Germany (2002), her MA in Population Science from Peking University, China (1994) and her BA in Sociology from the University of the Philippines in Diliman (1991).

Outside the University, Bopeep currently holds various leadership roles as Chair of the CHED Technical Committee for Sociology; Treasurer of the Philippine Social Science Council; and President of the Women’s and Gender Studies Association of the Philippines. She was also President of the Philippine Sociological Society from 2006 to 2008 and Chair of the CHED Technical Panel for Social Sciences and Communication in 2013-2014. In 2007, she received the Outstanding Young Scientist award from the National Academy of Science and Technology. As an experienced scholar working across academic and applied contexts, Bopeep’s research promotes a problem-solving mode in social science engagement.   Her areas of specialization include the built environment, sustainable consumption and production, social innovation, gender and development, and quantitative and qualitative assessment of development programs.

On behalf of the Ateneo de Manila, I would like to thank Bopeep for her magnanimity in accepting this new mission to lead the School of Social Sciences.

We also thank Dr Fernando “Nandy” T Aldaba for his generosity and dedication in serving as Dean of the School of Social Sciences since April 2015.

We express our deep appreciation for the work done by the School of Social Sciences Search Committee, whose members are Dr Luis F Dumlao (Chair), Dr Estelle Marie M Ladrido, Dr Enrique Niño P Leviste, Dr Ma Elizabeth J Macapagal, Dr Anna A Mendiola, Dr Jerry C Respeto, and Dr Ma Mercedes T Rodrigo.

Let us support the new Dean of the School of Social Sciences with our cooperation and prayers.