Faculty mentors from Saint Louis University (SLU) actively participated in the 3rd Annual Convention of the American English (AE) Alumni Association, Inc. held from 7 to 8 March 2026 at Bayview Park Hotel in Pasay City. Themed “80 Years Strong, 250 Years Inspired: Transforming Education through Alumni Expertise and Experiential Learning,” the two-day gathering brought together AE alumni, educators, and language practitioners from across the country for a series of plenary sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and research presentations.
SLU was well-represented in the event’s academic and professional engagements. Director of the Office of Global Relations, Alumni Affairs, and Scholarship Programs (OGRAASP), Stephenie O. Busbus, PhD, was elected as a member of the AE Alumni Philippines Board of Trustees (BOT), marking an important milestone for the university’s leadership presence within the national AE alumni network. Dr. Busbus was also one of the panel members in the discussion titled “Global Partnerships, Local Practice: AE Alumni PH as Catalysts for Collaborative Professional Growth.”
A significant highlight of the event was the election of new officers during the general assembly. A faculty member from the SLU School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA), Marjorie L. Najchuman contributed to the paper presentations by sharing insights on language teaching strategies for the specialized field in aviation. In addition, Kaye Leah C. Sitchon participated in a panel discussion on “U.S. Grant Experience Reflections: AE Alumni Voices,” where she shared her experience as a 2024 Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) scholar for Journalism, Technology, and Democracy. Other STELA faculty members who participated were Johnell Desalit, Freda Paulino, PhD, and Geraldine Wakat, PhD.
The AE Alumni Meet 2026 also featured sessions on innovative teaching practices, including the integration of AI in education, project-based learning, and communicative language teaching approaches. Furthermore, the event celebrated the 80th Anniversary of the U.S.-PH Diplomatic Relations and the enduring educational legacy of the Thomasites and John Dewey, while serving as a celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
Aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), the University’s participation and representation in both academic and leadership spheres underscore its strong engagement in professional communities that promote excellence in language education in the global Community of Practice. (Article by KLCS | Photos by AE Alumni PH and SLU participants)
