Dr. Elsie M. Pacho, former DMMMSU Vice President for Academic and International Affairs, received the prestigious Manuel T. Corpus Outstanding Quality Advocate Award from the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP). The awarding ceremony was held at the Marikina Polytechnic College on March 7, 2025.

A Certified AACCUP Accreditor since 2004, she has served as Team Leader and Overall Coordinator in numerous accreditation visits across the country. She also played a critical role as a CHED Regional Quality Assessment Team (RQAT) Evaluator and CHED Institutional Sustainability Assessment (ISA) Assessor, advancing quality standards in Philippine higher education institutions (PHEIs).

Her leadership contributed to DMMMSU’s excellence in instruction, research, extension, and production, as reflected in its CHED-DBM-PASUC SUC Leveling, Performance-Based Bonus eligibility, and PRC Licensure Examination achievements.

Dr. Pacho was also instrumental in strengthening the university’s quality assurance mechanisms, leading to its QS 3 Stars Rating, inclusion in the WURI Rankings, and recognition in THE Impact Rankings. She also mentored faculty members and accreditation teams, ensuring the sustainability of quality assurance efforts. Dr. Pacho’s contributions have left a lasting impact on DMMMSU and Philippine higher education as a whole.

The Manuel T. Corpus Lifetime Achievement Award is one of the highest honors in quality assurance that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to continuous institutional improvement. (By Jesus Rafael B. Jarata)