San Fernando City, La Union – July 10, 2025 — Saint Louis College (SLC) has landed on the global stage after earning prestigious spots in the 2025 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI)—a groundbreaking feat that positions the CICM-run institution among the world’s most forward-thinking schools.
Announced during the Hanseatic League of Universities (HLU) conference via Zoom, SLC was ranked 37th in Crisis Management (A5) and 42nd in Ethics and Integrity (A6)—a testament to its commitment to transformative education rooted in values and service.
Resilience with a Heart: Mental Health Program Makes Global Mark
One of the college’s standout initiatives, “Programma Resilire: Fostering Resilience and Well-Being Among Diverse Cohorts,” gained recognition for its innovative approach to mental health and psychosocial support.
Under the leadership of Mr. Chester Alan R. Merza, Program Head of Psychology, the program has created safe spaces and targeted interventions for students, faculty, and youth leaders navigating mental health challenges—particularly in the wake of the pandemic and social uncertainties.
Ranking 37th in the Crisis Management category, the program blends research-based strategies with the school’s CICM values, offering not only counseling services but also community engagement activities that promote emotional resilience and collective healing.
“Mental health isn’t just a support system at SLC—it’s part of the mission,” Merza shared. “We aim to normalize mental wellness in faith-based settings, and it’s encouraging to see this advocacy recognized globally.”
Integrating Mission into Academia
SLC’s second citation shines a spotlight on its graduate school reforms. The program “CICM Mission and Identity: Enhanced Graduate Program Curricula in the Service of Faith and Community” took 42nd place in the Ethics and Integrity category, thanks to its bold integration of CICM spirituality into higher education.
Spearheaded by Dr. Leilani O. Sanidad, Professor at the School of Advanced Studies, this trailblazing academic enhancement is more than just a curricular reform—it is a reaffirmation of what it truly means to be Louisian. By embedding the CICM spirit into its graduate programs through the courses “Philosophy of Missionary Identity” and “Practicum: Mission and Identity,” SLC has created a space where academic rigor meets compassionate service.
These courses not only instill intellectual depth but also shape graduates into ethical stewards and globally minded leaders—individuals who engage with society’s needs from a place of faith, purpose, and social accountability. Through community partnerships and mission-based research, students are challenged to think critically and act courageously, carrying forward the torch of CICM’s advocacies: multi-ethnicity, justice, peace, care for the environment, and inclusive access to education.
“We’re not just producing graduates,” Sanidad emphasized. “We’re forming leaders who live their values.”
Fittingly, this global milestone is a result of the shared commitment of the WURI Application Technical Working Group of Saint Louis College, a group composed of faculty, researchers, and academic officers who brought together insight, dedication, and missionary spirit to the process. While the writing was led by Dr. Marilyn Veronica E. Torcedo (Institutional Development and Quality Assurance Officer), the submission reflects the united effort of:
- Dr. Lea L. De Guzman (Vice President for Academic Affairs)
• Dr. Jose J. Pangngay (Dean, School of Advanced Studies)
• Dr. Daniel B. Paguia (Consultant, Research Management Office)
• Ms. Precious Sharizz Bautista (College Instructor)
• Mr. Niño Randy C. Flores (Research Management Officer)
• Mr. Moreen Jebert M. Lazaga (Program Head, Master in Public Administration)
• Ms. Samantha Cabanban (College Instructor)
• Ms. Reygina N. Azur (Assistant Institutional Development and Quality Assurance Officer)
• Ms. Dulce M. Dela Cruz (Secretary, Institutional Development and Quality Assurance Office)
Behind the scenes, the steady guidance and support of Rev. Fr. Roderick G. Villamar, CICM, PhD, SLC President, ensured the initiative remained anchored in the College’s Christ-centered and missionary identity, while advancing its aspiration toward meaningful global engagement. This recognition serves as a reminder that with shared purpose, focused collaboration, and unwavering faith, Saint Louis College is prepared not only to take part but to take the lead on the global academic stage.
Words by the Institutional Development and Quality Assurance Office
