Karel Santos San Juan, S.J. is a Filipino Jesuit priest who currently serves as the fifth president of Ateneo de Davao University. He assumed office on September 14, 2023 and succeeded Fr. Joel Tabora. Prior to this, he was president of Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

Early life and education

Fr. Karel was born in Marikina, Philippines on June 16, 1965. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics degree from Ateneo de Manila University in March 1986. He earned his master's degree in Development Management from the Asian Institute of Management in Makati in May 1993. He finished his Doctorate in Leadership Studies at the Gonzaga University, in Spokane, Washington, USA in May 2007. He also obtained a Bachelor in Sacred Theology degree from Ateneo de Manila University in March 2010.^[1][2]

Early career

Fr. Karel started as an instructor and program officer for advocacy and social development offices in Ateneo de Manila University. He then expanded to being a consultant for strategic planning, development management, and organizational development for several government organizations in the Philippines including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (1993 – 1994), Department of Trade and Industry (1993) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (1996 – 1997). In 1996, he taught management courses at the Asian Institute of Management.^[2]

As a Jesuit

In May 1998, Fr. Karel entered the Society of Jesus and was ordained to the priesthood in April 2010. He finished his tertianship in June 2013 and pronounced his final vows in February 2015. He was a delegate of the Philippine Province to the 36th Congregation of the Society of Jesus from October to November 2016 in Rome, Italy.

As an educator

In 1996, Fr. Karel was an assistant professor at the Asian Institute of Management, teaching in Development Management, Business Management, and Entrepreneurship. From 1997 to 1998, he was an instructor of the Ateneo de Manila University, teaching courses in Theology of Liberation and Development Studies. In June 2010 to September 2013, he was a faculty member in the PhD in Leadership Studies Program of the Ateneo de Manila University, teaching courses in foundations of Leadership Theory, and Ethics and Spirituality in Leadership.

The Ateneo de Zamboanga University Board of Trustees elected Fr. Karel as the university's third president on February 23, 2013. As he was in his final year of Jesuit spiritual formation, he did not assume the presidency until October 8, 2013. He was officially installed President of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University on November 23, 2013.^[3] He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro City), Ateneo de Davao University,^[4] Ateneo de Manila University and the Emmaus Center for Psycho-Spiritual Formation.^[5]

On November 12, 2022, the Ateneo de Davao University Board of Trustees elected Fr. Karel as the university's fifth president.^[6] He assumed the presidency on September 15, 2023.

As a professional

From 2000 to 2004, Fr. Karel was a consultant and facilitator of the Ateneo de Manila University Office for Mission, Identity, and Organizational Development. He also became program officer for the Center for Ignatian Spirituality (CIS-Philippines), and Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB) from 2000 to 2002, and he also served as Treasurer of the UGAT Foundation.^[7] He became executive director for the Emmaus Center for Psycho-Spiritual Formation in June 2007.^[8]

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