Dr. Palma Elected to the Board of Directors of the Marist International Network of Higher Education

Joan P. Palma, Ph.D., Vice President for Academics of Notre Dame of Marbel University, has been elected as a member of the Board of Directors of the Marist International Network of Higher Education during the 11th Assembly held from April 26 to May 11, 2025, at the Marist Brothers General House in Rome, Italy.

Dr. Palma was selected to represent the English-speaking institutions within the network and will serve a three-year term alongside other newly elected members from various global regions. The board is tasked with providing strategic direction, fostering international collaboration, and leading the planning and coordination of the 12th General Assembly of the Marist International Network of Higher Education.

His election reflects both personal merit and institutional recognition of NDMU’s active role in the global Marist academic community. As part of the board, Dr. Palma will work closely with leaders from Portuguese-, Spanish-, and French-speaking institutions to deepen the network’s commitment to Marist identity, academic excellence, and international engagement.

This milestone not only affirms NDMU’s voice in global educational discourse but also reinforces its mission to shape transformative and globally responsive higher education.

The Board of Directors

Br. Rogério Mateucci- President and Representative of the Portuguese Language (from Pontifícia Universidade Catolíca do Paraná)

Cecilia Lopez- Vice President and Representative of the Spanish Language (from Marist University of Merida)

Joan P. Palma- Representative of the English Language (from Notre Dame of Marbel University)

Br. José Sanchez Bravo (Director of the Secretariat of Education and Evangelization) – Representative of the General Administration

The Fiscal Council

Alejandra Garcia Bado (from Marist University of Guadalajara, Mexico)

Clayton Vaz (from Centro Universitário Católica de Santa Catarina, Brazil)

Br. Edouard Yatha (from Marist University of Congo)