Fr. San Juan Reappointed as University President for Second Term
The Ateneo de Davao community welcomed Fr. Karel S. San Juan, SJ, on his reappointment as University President for another three-year term, extending his leadership of the university following his first term that began on 14 September 2023.
Second Term Begins
Fr. San Juan assumed office as the fifth University President of ADDU, succeeding Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ, who had led the university for over a decade. In his renewed term, he continues to lead the University in its Jesuit and Ignatian mission, advancing academic excellence and strengthening the service of ADDU to Mindanao and the wider community.
Track Record and Credentials
Fr. San Juan brings to his renewed term a breadth of academic and administrative experience. He holds degrees in Mathematics, Development Management, and Sacred Theology, along with a Doctorate in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University. He has taught, published, and worked extensively in strategic planning and organizational development across schools, NGOs, government agencies, and Church institutions.
Prior to leading ADDU, he served as President of Ateneo de Zamboanga University from 2013 to 2023. His tenure there was marked by strong institutional leadership, including guiding the university through significant transitions such as the shift to the K-12 curriculum and the adjustments brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. He also led rebuilding and fundraising initiatives and spearheaded the development of a new campus made possible through a generous benefaction.
Fr. San Juan currently also serves as President of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines.
Continuing Fortiores 2030
As he begins his second term, Fr. San Juan will continue guiding the University in advancing Fortiores 2030, ADDU’s strategic framework for 2025 to 2030. The plan centers on developing discerning and adaptive leaders, deepening the University’s peace and development work in Mindanao, and strengthening its digital capabilities and institutional partnerships.
Under this framework, Fr. San Juan continues to bring the Ateneo de Davao community together toward a more integrated, responsive, and mission-driven University.
What’s Next for ADDU
In welcoming his renewed term, the Ateneo de Davao community has expressed confidence in his continued direction for the University, rooted in Ignatian values and a commitment to service in Mindanao and across the nation.
Fr. San Juan’s second term is set to run for three years, continuing the university’s mission under his leadership.
