MABALACAT CITY – The president of Mabalacat City College has been appointed as the new special adviser for Local Colleges and Universities by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
MCC President Michelle A. Ong took her oath before Chairperson of the Commission Dr. Prospero De Vera at the CHED National Office on March 17, 2025.
Dr. Ong is recognized as one of the leading experts in the development of community college frameworks. Her expertise stems from comprehensive training at prestigious institutions such as Florida State University and Santa Fe College in the USA, where she participated in the Community College Administrators program. Moreover, she completed a Fulbright post-doctoral study in the US focusing on community college accreditation, underlining her commitment and depth of knowledge in the field.
Under Dr. Ong’s visionary leadership, Mabalacat City College became the first community college in the Philippines. She introduced innovative programs that have significantly enhanced MCC’s reputation, making it one of the most benchmarked institutions in the country. These programs emphasize technological innovation, student support services, workforce development, internationalization, and an enriching academic experience.
MCC, under Dr. Ong’s guidance, is the only local college to earn a spot in both the World University Rankings Impact (WURi) and the Times Impact Higher Rankings in 2024. MCC is also the only local college ever mentioned in a State of the Nation Address by a Philippine President in the history of the country. This recognition underscores the remarkable progress and impact MCC has made within the academic landscape.
Dr. Ong’s appointment as a special adviser is expected to foster growth and improvement among Local Colleges and Universities across the nation, leveraging her extensive experience and strategic insights. Her role will be pivotal in shaping higher education policies and initiatives that aim to elevate the standards and performance of local colleges in the Philippines.
