UP Alumni Association in America Receives the 2021 UPAA Distinguished Service Award for an Alumni Chapter

Elk Grove, CA, USA. The University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) hailed the UPAA in America (UPAAA), Inc. as its 2021 Distinguished Service Awardee for an Alumni Chapter. This award is bestowed in recognition of a UPAA Chapter anywhere in the world for its exemplary leadership, outstanding achievements and exceptional contributions to the university and the community that it serves.

Incumbent President Daisy M. Rodriguez from California expressed her gratitude to everyone who made this award possible. She said “Thank you to our team of leaders on the 2020-2021 board who made this organization stand out among all the other UPAA chapters. We worked hard in serving the university and our community through our expanded scholarship program, financial support for needy students, support for international students studying in the US, and donations to victims of disasters in the Philippines.”

Ms. Rodriguez is a retired nurse educator. She authored books and published articles in her nursing field. She completed both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master in Nursing from the UP College of Nursing. She also holds a master’s degree in Public Administration/Health Services from the University of San Francisco. As a strong community advocate, Ms. Rodriguez organized this year the UPAAA’s initiative on Anti-Asian Hate and Racial Discrimination in the US, and a global forum with European counterparts.

The 2021 Distinguished Service Award for an Alumni Chapter is a well-deserved honor for UPAAA, Inc.

Dr. Jose David from New York is the incoming president for 2022- 2023. He expressed that “My leadership will create a more functional Executive Team and Board of Directors to increase UPAAA’s involvement in the university and the community. We will heighten the group’s active presence in online and social media outlets. We will create big fundraising activities. I am also working on getting advisory support from my friends to ensure that we achieve more in the next two years for UPAAA.”

Daisy Magalit Rodriguez (CA), Outgoing UPAAA President

Dr. Jose David (NY), Incoming UPAAA President