‘Stepping Out to Shape the World’: CHED Chief Dr. Agrupis Inspires BISU Calape 2025 Grads

The commencement exercises of the Class of 2025 of BISU Calape held yesterday, June 23, was graced by its honored commencement speaker, Dr. Shirley Castañeda Agrupis, the chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education, appointed by His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. just last May 2025.

“This triumph is not yours alone.” Dr. Agrupis tells the graduates that the victory that they now enjoy was built “not only on sleepless nights, group projects, thesis revisions…” but also with the support of their parents, families, friends, and loved ones. She added that such a victory is a “proof of your real sacrifice,” recognizing the personal challenges of the students, including the tribulations brought by natural phenomena, even surviving a global pandemic.

But she adds: “Malayo pa ang lalakbayin, pero ang layo na rin ng inyong narating.”

The commencement speaker was appointed by President Marcos Jr. as a CHED commissioner back in 2024, guiding 23 state universities and colleges across various regions nationwide. Before she was appointed commissioner, she was the past president of Mariano Marcos State