FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE GLOBAL STAGE The Journey of Dr. Joanne De Vivar Delos Reyes - Lobrino

Every meaningful journey begins with a purpose, and mine began with a commitment to education. Before assuming the responsibilities of Director of the International Relations Office at Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU), I embraced the fundamental mission of being an educator: to teach, to inspire, and to contribute to the development of individuals and communities. My professional journey has taught me that education is not merely about imparting knowledge; it is about opening opportunities, nurturing potential, and preparing people to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

The Foundation: A Teacher at Heart

My story reflects a continuing journey of learning, leadership, service, and transformation. Being a teacher is more than a profession. It is a responsibility that calls for patience, dedication, integrity, and a genuine commitment to the growth of others. In the academic environment, I came to appreciate the profound influence educators have on students—not only through the lessons they teach but also through the values they demonstrate, the opportunities they provide, and the confidence they help cultivate.

My background in academia and the hospitality industry has shaped my understanding of education from complementary perspectives. Academic work has strengthened my appreciation for research, knowledge development, and student learning, while industry experience has reinforced the importance of professionalism, adaptability, communication, and service excellence. These experiences have influenced my belief that universities must prepare students not only to earn degrees but also to become competent professionals, responsible citizens, and globally minded individuals.

From Teaching to Leadership: Embracing a Greater Responsibility

Transitioning from the role of an educator to a leadership position is not simply a change in title. It is a transformation in perspective. While teaching focuses on directly influencing students and their learning experiences, institutional leadership requires a broader vision—one that considers organizational priorities, collaborative relationships, institutional development, and the long-term impact of decisions.

My journey toward leadership has reinforced the importance of remaining grounded in the principles that first drew me to education. Leadership, to me, is not about authority alone. It is about responsibility, collaboration, and the willingness to serve a purpose greater than oneself. Meaningful educational transformation depends on people working together toward shared goals. It requires listening to different perspectives, building trust, recognizing opportunities, and translating institutional aspirations into initiatives that benefit students, faculty members, and the community.

Leading International Relations: Connecting BPSU to the World

As Director of the International Relations Office of Bataan Peninsula State University, I have embraced a responsibility that extends beyond institutional representation. International relations in higher education is about building bridges between cultures, institutions, people, and ideas. It is about ensuring that global engagement becomes a meaningful part of the university’s academic and developmental mission.

In this role, I have come to appreciate that internationalization is not measured solely by the number of memoranda of understanding signed or international activities conducted. Its true value lies in the opportunities and outcomes these initiatives create. A partnership becomes meaningful when it leads to sustained academic collaboration. An international engagement becomes valuable when it enriches teaching, research, extension, and student development. A global initiative becomes transformative when it creates opportunities that would otherwise remain beyond the reach of the university.

Leadership Through Collaboration and Service

My professional journey has also reinforced my belief that leadership becomes more meaningful when it is connected to service. Beyond academic administration and international engagement, I value initiatives that address social needs and create opportunities for individuals who may otherwise be underserved. My involvement in community-oriented work reflects the principle that education should contribute to human dignity, social inclusion, and empowerment.

The recognition associated with the Presidential Lingkod Bayan—Group Category for the HOPE Behind Bars Project represents an important dimension of this commitment to public service and collective action. Such experiences remind me that institutional success should not be measured exclusively through rankings, recognition, or international visibility. It must also be assessed through the lives improved, opportunities created, and communities strengthened through education and service.

Looking Ahead: A Continuing Journey of Transformation

My journey from teacher to Director of International Relations has taught me that professional growth is not a departure from one’s original purpose. Rather, it is an opportunity to fulfill that purpose on a broader scale. The educator in me continues to believe in the transformative power of learning. The academic in me values inquiry, evidence, and the pursuit of knowledge. The leader in me recognizes the importance of strategic vision, collaboration, and institutional responsibility. And the advocate for service in me remains committed to ensuring that opportunities for growth reach beyond individual achievement.

As I continue serving Bataan Peninsula State University, I look forward to strengthening international partnerships, supporting meaningful academic exchanges, encouraging collaborative research, and advancing initiatives that prepare our university community for global engagement. International relations work involves challenges, from sustaining partnerships and aligning institutional priorities to ensuring that global opportunities translate into tangible outcomes. Yet these challenges also create opportunities to innovate, collaborate, and redefine what higher education can accomplish.

An Educator at Heart, a Global Connector by Purpose

Ultimately, my story is not simply about becoming a director. It is about discovering new ways to serve through education. It is about carrying the values of teaching into leadership, translating relationships into opportunities, and transforming institutional aspirations into meaningful action.

From the classroom to the global stage, I remain an educator at heart. My title may have changed, and the scope of my responsibilities may have expanded, but my purpose remains constant: to inspire learning, build bridges, empower people, and contribute to a future in which education opens doors to possibilities beyond what we once imagined. For me, the journey continues—not as an individual achievement, but as a shared commitment to the university, the community, and the transformative power of education.