Thank You, Dr. Regala: A Journey of Service and Leadership

Assumption Journey

Assumpta: From professor to dean, and eventually president—what moments stand out the most for you in each role?

Ola: As a Professor, I witnessed the college go through a period of discernment from 2004 to 2006, during which the Psychology Department was removed. In 2009, I was given the task of reviving it, this time with both BS and AB programs – a key moment that deepened my commitment to academic formation. As a College Dean, I went through a period of major transitions: the K-12 shift, declining enrollment in women’s colleges, and the rise of free tuition in state universities. The college inevitably took a hit, but these challenges taught me vital lessons in management, resilience, and endurance. As President, the most defining moment was guiding the school through the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic. It was the greatest challenge of my term, but the earlier experiences I had – as professor and dean – prepared me to meet it with focus, determination, and faith.

Assumpta: What was it like being the second lay President of Assumption College, and how did that responsibility shape you?

Ola: Being the second lay President of Assumption College was both an honor and a great responsibility. I was aware that I was stepping into a role historically held by religious sisters, so I carried with me not only the mission of the institution but also the task of continuing an educational and faith-filled tradition that has shaped generations. It shaped me in many ways: it challenged me to lead with both competence and faith, to balance administrative demands with the heart of Assumption’s mission, and to see leadership as service. I learned to listen more, to connect varied groups, and to always anchor decisions on what would best serve the students and the community. The experience grounded me in humility and strengthened my belief that leadership is not about the position but about the values you embody and the people you serve.

Leadership and Legacy

Assumpta: What guiding principles influenced your leadership style at Assumption?

Ola: I was guided by principles deeply rooted in faith, purpose, and a commitment to service. For me, true leadership has always been about serving others — leading not just with responsibility, but with reflection and discernment, keeping in mind the deeper meaning behind the work we do. Perseverance has also shaped me, reminding me to remain steadfast, especially in difficult times. When you genuinely believe in what you are doing, the work no longer feels like a burden, but a mission worth giving your all to.

Assumpta: In what ways did you see the College transform during your term, and how did you hope to contribute to that change?

Ola: The first year of my term was marked by change and disruption brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. It required a complete paradigm shift and pushed us to place resilience at the heart of our education. We created a Pandemic Response Framework to address urgent challenges, including shifting to online teaching, training faculty, developing digital content, strengthening IT systems, ensuring student-teacher connectedness, and implementing safety protocols. This became AC ABLe Connect — our way of adapting quickly while staying faithful to our mission. At the same time, we sought to secure the College’s future by launching Assumption Forever, a mixed endowment fund designed to provide long-term growth and stability. Through these efforts, I hoped that the College would remain a place where we “form women of faith and women of action, attuned to the tensions of our times, in love with freedom, and inspired by the Gospel values.” SME

Personal Impact

Assumpta: How has your experience as president deepened your sense of being an Assumption Old Girl? 

Ola: I have practically spent most of my life immersed in Assumption culture. As an alumna, I first studied in AC San Lorenzo, spent a year in Herran when we were merged, transferred to Antipolo where I graduated grade school, and returned to San Lorenzo for high school. Through all those years, the Assumption philosophy of education and its values have shaped my daily life. However, these values became even more deeply ingrained when I assumed the role of president. I not only needed to uphold them, but also to embody them, so that the community could see these values alive in me. This motivated me to learn more about our foundress, to understand her life and vision, and to embody what she hoped for every Assumption graduate. I am an ordinary person, with the same struggles as everyone else, and the role – especially as a “pandemic president” – was not without its challenges. Yet through prayer, reflection, and discernment, the journey became both enriching and rewarding.

Assumpta: What lessons did you carry from your student years that guided you as an administrator and leader?

Ola: Two phrases from our school song have guided me through life: fidelity to duty and love of simplicity. They became anchors for me as president. Fidelity to duty meant striving to give my very best, even when the responsibilities felt intimidating or unfamiliar. The love of simplicity reminded me to stay grounded, to be true to myself, and to lead with sincerity. These lessons from my student years gave me the strength, hope, and direction to serve our Assumption community.

Assumpta: How did being a profession in psychology influence your approach to education, leadership, and community-building in Assumption?

Ola: Psychology teaches us to understand people – their behavior, emotions, and needs. This gave me tools to build relationships, communicate with empathy, set goals, resolve conflicts, and lead with compassion. These skills aligned “beautifully” with the three pillars of Assumption education: academic excellence for service, faith and spirituality, and social responsibility. For me, psychology and Assumption values converge in a shared mission: to serve others, help them grow into their best selves, and ground everything in faith.

Community and Connection

Assumpta: What did it mean to you to also serve as an advisor of the Assumption Alumnae Association (AAA)?

Ola: Serving as an advisor to the AAA was both rewarding and enlightening. The relationship was truly mutual – while I offered feedback and insights rooted in the school’s philosophy and realities, the AAA shared the concerns, hopes, and proposed projects of our alumnae. This collaboration made our work more purposeful and strengthened the bond between the school and alumnae. Most of all, it was a joy to journey with such a committed, hardworking, and joy-filled group of women who inspired me throughout my presidency. Truly women of faith and action. I am deeply grateful.

Reflection and Gratitude

Assumpta: As you look back, what do you consider your greatest blessing from this chapter of your life?

Ola: This chapter of my life was filled with joys and even pains, but in all of it, I found meaning and growth. I’ve learned to be more patient, understanding, and persevering, but what I treasure most are the people who shared this journey with me. The sisters, educators, students, parents, and alumnae became my Assumption family — my greatest blessing. They are the ones who turned work into joy and made every day feel like coming home.

Assumpta: What message would you like to leave with the Assumption community as you close your term

Ola: My heart is filled with gratitude as I end my term. Thank you, dear Assumption family, for the joy of journeying together in faith, purpose, and love. You have been my greatest blessing.

Her Journey, Our Gratitude.

As Dr. Angela Fabiola Regala closes this chapter of her Assumption journey, we celebrate not only what she has accomplished but also who she has been to the community—mentor, leader, and sister in spirit. Her years of service have touched countless lives, shaping minds with knowledge and hearts with faith. With gratitude, we thank her for walking with Assumption through seasons of challenge and change, always with wisdom, compassion, and courage. And as she steps forward into new horizons, her legacy remains—rooted in the Assumption she loves, and alive in every Assumptionist she has inspired.