After completing Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies at The Ohio State University in August 2026, Fulbright scholar Dr. Ionell Jay Terogo has returned to the University of San Jose–Recoletos (USJ-R) to serve as the new Graduate School Director.
Terogo's Fulbright journey began in 2021, when he received the news that he had been selected as a principal candidate for the Fulbright-CHED Ph.D. Scholarship Program.
Funded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and facilitated by Fulbright Philippines, the program provides Filipino tertiary educators opportunities to pursue advanced studies in U.S. higher education institutions aligned with their disciplines and research interests.
For him, the Fulbright experience was more than earning a degree abroad. It was an opportunity to learn from another higher education system, broaden his perspective as an educator, and bring those insights home to contribute to Philippine higher education.
During his time at Ohio State, Terogo engaged in international research and professional conferences, including the Association for the Study of Higher Education and the American Educational Research Association annual meetings. He also received the Graduate Associate Teaching Award in 2025 and the Graduate Teaching Award from the Educational Studies Department in 2026.
His journey was shaped by his long-standing commitment to global citizenship education and his belief that students should be encouraged to explore learning opportunities beyond familiar boundaries.
"Sometimes, students need to see what is possible before they begin to imagine it for themselves," Terogo shared.
Now back at USJ-R, he hopes to translate his international experience into meaningful opportunities for Josenian graduate students and faculty.
As Graduate School Director, Terogo's priorities center on raising the reputation, quality, and reach of graduate programs; investing in the holistic development of master's and doctoral students; and strengthening community and belonging within the Graduate School.
Among his plans are initiatives supporting accreditation, open and distance e-learning, micro-credentials, transnational education, research and scholarly writing, advanced teaching, and graduate student well-being.
Ultimately, Terogo envisions a Graduate School that is academically rigorous while remaining "distinctly humane"—one that develops excellent scholars and professionals while creating a community where every graduate student knows they belong and is enabled to RISE.
His return to USJ-R marks not simply the completion of a Fulbright journey, but the beginning of a new chapter focused on bringing what he learned from the world back home and creating opportunities for others to learn, grow, and succeed.
