Maria Carmen Lapuz: Change management, strategic leadership

Maria Carmen Lapuz was surpsised by her appointment as the new dean of Far Eastern University (FEU)’s Institute of Accounts, Business, and Finance (IABF). However, she is deeply honored by this designation. Those who know Lapuz have full confidence that she will meet expectations, or surpass these.

“It’s coming back home not just to share what I’ve learned during my stay in Taiwan. I am to fulfill a duty in a position with more responsibilities, but with more impact. It’s a chance to make a difference on a larger scale,” said Lapuz. 

She is no stranger to positions of leadership, having served as department chairperson/program head of the Department of Business Adminstration in IABF. She believes that leadership is about setting a clear vision, empowering people, and creating a space for shared ideas. 

“My leadership approach is situational leadership. I adapt my leadership style based on the needs of my team and the circumstances. I can adapt a transformational approach when changes are necessary or if there is a need to drive for innovation,” said Lapuz. “I can adapt a transactional approach when the environment is rigid or highly structured or perhaps when there is high pressure like deadlines to beat.” 

Her attitude towards faculty, staff, students, and administrators is grounded on respect, transparency, collaboration, and vision, but she naturally adjusts her attitude depending on who she interacts with.  

“Attitude can be based on relationships, influence, or social norms,” she said. 

Lapuz’s sense of fulfilment comes from knowing that under her leadership, everyone is growing and thriving, and they achieve the goals they set for themselves as well. She added that it’s more than just the outcomes; it’s about positive and long-lasting impact anchored on a sense of purpose. 

“The most challenging part [of being IABF dean] I could say is maintaining a balance and making difficult decisions. Because we deal with different people and diverse workgroups, there will emerge competing priorities and expectations,” she said. “For example, with faculty—we balance academic freedom with institutional accountability. It’s when you support faculty autonomy, but we have to take note of university policies and performance metrics.” 

Even if she makes fair and transparent decisions, said Lapuz, sometimes these can still be unpopular. 

“I could also say that initiating changes can be difficult. Sometimes I go for incremental changes, other times I go for radical changes. Leading and managing change is challenging especially when the environment is resistant. Strategically allocating resources can also prove quite challenging,” she said. “The need to always be available and responsive, which may not always be the case, can also be difficult. I need to set boundaries and focus on strategic work.” 

Before Lapuz’s post-graduate studies in Taiwan she had almost a decade of teaching experience. Her former students would be complimented to know that she regards them as professional, global-thinking, ethical, responsible, resilient, innovative, entrepreneurial, and lifelong learners. 

Students first 

“She was our go-to person at the Department of Business Administration in IABF,” said Gerald Origenes, one of Lapuz’s former students. “She was always ready to help.” 

Another student of Lapuz, Pauline Rauchelle Obispo, who also served in the IABF Student Council along with Origenes commended Lapuz’s approachability. 

“She never dismissed the opinions of IABF students. She believed in our right to due process,” said Obispo. 

Origenes and Obispo had their own personal interactions with Lapuz, and both took to heart her no nonsense words of advice. Even her humor is exacting, said Obispo, because Lapuz once warned her about being ungrammatical in her curriculaum vitae. 

“The IABF had progressive initiatives,” said Origenes, “like the HR certification program” for which Lapuz pushed for internship credits. “We had collaborative experiences [as students]. We had good programs and professors.” 

Obispo agreed with Origenes that IABF is one of the best colleges, not only in FEU but elsewhere as well. 

“Administrators were responsive,” said Obispo. “[Lapuz, for one], replied even [to my DMs].” 

Beyond international recognition or certification for IABF, both alumni hoped students would actively gain critical thinking skills.  

“Professors who have experience in the academe and industry are also able to guide their students to make choices,” said Obispo. 

Working together 

Rey Parcon, now chairperson of IABF’s Department of Economics and Human Capital Studies, had closely worked with Lapuz for the ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance accreditation of their Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program. 

“She is professional in all her dealings, may it be with her colleagues, supervisors, or students,” said Parcon, who credited Lapuz for encouraging him as her associate department chairperson when he struggled with self-doubt. 

It was not uncommon for them to be working even beyond office hours, as their mornings and afternoons were devoted for student concerns. He does not foresee any changes in how Lapuz leads, now that she is dean. 

Lapuz described the IABF approach as synergistic. They take a strategic and innovative approach to programs and projects; programs are designed based on market trends and industry needs while projects are aligned with their mission and long-term goals.

“We have cross-functional collaborations where academic managers, faculty, staff, and students work together. Also, we ensure that we are global and geared towards industry integration. We are already working on continuous improvement based on metrics and assessments that are data-driven,” she said. 

Lapuz said this allows them to make better decisions that are evidence-based, acknowledging that IABF faculty, staff, and students can expect to see changes. She is keeping an open-door policy to encourage transparency and shared decision-making.  

“I intend to build resilience across the academic programs through development programs for faculty, staff, and students. We will strengthen academic programs through collaboration, research, and the integration of emerging technologies into our curriculum,” she said. “We will equip and empower our faculty and provide opportunities for professional growth. For the staff, we have to ensure a motivated workforce. This can be done by providing recognition, training, and opportunities for advancement as well.”  

As for the students, they can expect enhanced support services, said Lapuz. The IABF also intends to expand opportunities for internship and career development, she said, and there will be initiatives geared towards global citizenship and other student-centered initiatives.  

“We will continue to build a community that recognizes diversity, one that is inclusive, and promotes equity. We will step up our local and global partnerships and find more opportunities to create impact,” said Lapuz.  

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