“There is a reward to those who patiently wait,” said Dr. Rachel Luz V. Rica in one of her visits to the university recently following her installation as campus director of the Philippine Science High School in Argao.
From poignant remarks to serious gestures of bootstrapping her latest job in Cebu’s southern town, Dr. Rica finally finds her niche in the leadership community, putting more emphasis on research.
Spending 21 years at the fore of academic innovation as former director for CTU-Integrated Coastal Resource Management (ICRM), she thinks that the research mandate has taught her “patience and compassion,” revealing to CTU-ICPA her intense desire to help.
With 500 scholars now to be supervised, she feels the “tough” job on her shoulders, but she is challenged more than ever to take on the opportunity.
In a separate talk prior to her oath taking, she quipped: “I am pursuing this journey after I got my children’s nod; they are my advisers; I am learning from their expertise.”
Humility shrouding her unquestionable capacity, the new campus director smiled at the thought that her kids have motivated her to achieving her dreams.
“They are products of PSHS too, so it’s good to give back.”
Recounting her experience with the screening committee, she felt satisfied at her response on what’s her edge among the aspirants.
“My perspective as one of the parents of the graduates of PSHS would be of huge help.”
Her gratitude to her kids’ school that molded them to be achievers in college is paralleled with her heartfelt thanks to CTU, in a recent interview, which she considers her home for 21 years.
Master’s and Ph.D. degrees were all attained during her stay in the university other than research trainings that have made her more equipped in manning the job.
Her efficiency in doing research will not only create an impact in her present workplace but also in the community that will soon benefit the knowledge generated. RM