Dr. Michelle Aguilar-Ong Returns To FSU As A Fulbright Scholar
By Larissa Martins, LSI Communications Assistant
In 2022, Dr. Michelle Aguilar-Ong came to Tallahassee from the Philippines to participate in the Community College Administrators Program (CCAP) led by the Learning Systems Institute (LSI). In 2024, she returned to Tallahassee and LSI as a visiting Fulbright Scholar, continuing her mission to expand educational access for marginalized groups across the Philippines by adopting an American community college model.
As the President of Mabalacat City College (MCC), Aguilar-Ong has been at the forefront of national academic reform, transforming MCC into an exemplary institution for other local colleges.
After identifying a significant gap between a low employment rate and the 10,000 job openings at a nearby freeport zone, Aguilar-Ong set out to maximize work opportunities for graduates. Her research journey introduced her to how community colleges in the U.S. equip individuals with skills that enable upward mobility. This discovery inspired her to start gradually implementing initiatives aimed at transforming her college.
“Being a college president is very different than being a university president because you’re more like a community developer,” said Aguilar-Ong. “You’re more like a social worker because you’re working with low-income families and adult learners, and you want to change lives to create these generational impacts for their family and their next generation.”
In 2022, the Commission on Higher Education nominated Aguilar-Ong and other select administrators to participate in the CCAP. Funded by the U.S. Department of State, CCAP aims to enhance international understanding of U.S. community college systems by exposing professionals and policymakers to innovative educational approaches, especially in the field of career technical education.
“I came to FSU two years ago under the Community College Administrators Program.” Aguilar-Ong said. “That's when I learned about community colleges from the academic perspective, including student support services and how to partner with industries. I learned a lot. It changed the course of Mabalacat City College.”
As part of the program, participants visit multiple community colleges to observe how they address local workforce demands. Aguilar-Ong expressed how she gained impactful insights from each institution, whether through their culture of care, industry partnerships, or internship programs.
“It was really eye-opening for me.” Aguilar-Ong reflected. “This is the framework that could make a difference in every community in the Philippines because the profile of students who go to community colleges are the profile of students who go to local colleges in the Philippines.”
Now, Aguilar-Ong has returned to FSU as a Fulbright Visiting Scholar to deepen her understanding on the structures underpinning community college systems. She is particularly focused on adapting U.S. accreditation processes into the Filipino context. Currently, many local colleges are hesitant to integrate the community college model due to concerns about failing accreditation requirements and losing funding.
Despite these challenges, Aguilar-Ong remains committed to advancing the future of higher education in her home country. Her goal is to pioneer a university accreditation reform that evaluates colleges based on the unique characteristics of their local communities rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all national standard. She firmly believes that adopting the community college model could bridge the gap between graduate competencies and industry needs in the Philippines.
At FSU, Aguilar-Ong is enjoying a break from the operational responsibilities of her leadership role by immersing herself in research and data collection. She is also attending events across campus, including ones hosted by LSI and the College of Communications.
“I can’t say anything that is not good about FSU and LSI. They are the best hosts. Even before we came here, they were very thoughtful having zoom meetings just to talk about our housing,” Aguilar-Ong shared. “They make us feel comfortable. It's like family.”
Upon her return to the Philippines, Aguilar-Ong plans to present her research to the Commission on Higher Education to advocate for the establishment of community colleges as a typological model. In addition, she hopes to share her findings with an audience of congress members who are currently pushing for a national education reform.
When asked about her thoughts on the role of education in society, Aguilar-Ong answered, “It's really the greatest equalizer. It a potent factor for the upward mobility of a person—if your family is poor, it's your only ticket to become middle class or even to become rich.”
Aguilar-Ong’s exceptional work as a college president and educator demonstrates her passion for reducing barriers that affect marginalized communities. She is determined to continue expanding equitable and inclusive access to education for indigenous people, first-generation students, individuals with disabilities, and adults seeking workforce reintegration—not only at MCC but across the Philippines.