Fe Corazon C. Villanueva, a Certified Hospitality Professional (CHP) recognized by the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Professionals (ITHP), is one of the most influential leaders in Philippine hospitality and tourism education. With over a decade of distinguished service in academic leadership, global partnerships, and program innovation, she has transformed La Consolacion University Philippines (LCUP) into a benchmark institution for globally aligned hospitality education. Since assuming her role as Dean of the College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management (CITHM) in 2018, she has spearheaded strategic development plans, advanced faculty training, modernized curricula, and expanded international internships to prepare students for real-world, global hospitality experiences.
Holding a Doctor in Business Administration and an MBA in Hotel and Restaurant Management from LCUP, alongside her Bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management from La Consolacion College Manila, Fe combines academic depth with operational expertise. Her groundbreaking initiatives—such as establishing Villa Sta. Monica Suites as a training and revenue-generating facility, launching Café Rencontre as a barista lab, and integrating Virtual Reality (VR) Labs into the curriculum—have set new standards in experiential learning. Deeply involved in research, accreditation, and professional organizations, she continues to raise the bar for educational excellence and global competitiveness in hospitality management.
Discovering ITHP – When asked, “How did you discover ITHP?” Dean Villanueva shared that she first learned about the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Professionals through an industry contact, prompting her to explore its official website to review membership requirements.
A Catalyst for Career and Institutional Growth – In response to “In what ways has being a part of ITHP contributed to your career growth?” she emphasized that international certification is essential for an academic leader, as it boosts both personal credibility and institutional prestige on the global stage.
“International certification is highly important for a Dean, as it enhances both personal credibility and institutional reputation on a global scale. It demonstrates the Dean’s commitment to excellence, continuous professional development, and global best practices in education and leadership. Holding such a certification aligns the academic programs and administrative practices with international standards, fostering academic innovation, global partnerships, and curriculum benchmarking. It also positions the institution as a globally competitive and quality-driven educational provider, attracting potential students, faculty, and international collaborators. Ultimately, it reflects the Dean’s leadership in driving academic quality, promoting global engagement, and ensuring that the institution keeps pace with the evolving demands of the global educational landscape.”
For her, the certification fosters academic innovation, enables curriculum benchmarking, and strengthens the university’s ability to attract students, faculty, and international collaborators.
Empowering Global Leadership in Education – On “How has ITHP helped you in your current professional role?” she explained that the certification has enhanced her global perspective and leadership competencies, equipping her with the latest standards in tourism and hospitality operations, curriculum design, and industry engagement.
“The Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Professionals (ITHP) certification has significantly supported me in my current professional role by enhancing my global perspective and leadership competencies in managing tourism and hospitality education. It has equipped me with up-to-date international standards and best practices in tourism and hospitality operations, curriculum design, and industry engagement, allowing them to make informed decisions that align academic programs with global trends. The certification also strengthens my ability to build partnerships with international institutions and industry leaders, opening opportunities for student and faculty exchange, internships, and collaborative research. Moreover, ITHP reinforces my role as a role model for lifelong learning, inspiring faculty and students alike to pursue excellence and global readiness in the hospitality field. Ultimately, it empowers me to lead with credibility, innovation, and a strategic global outlook, ensuring our institution remains competitive and relevant in the ever-evolving tourism and hospitality landscape.”
This has allowed her to forge partnerships for exchanges, internships, and collaborative research, while serving as a role model for lifelong learning. Ultimately, ITHP empowers her to lead with credibility, innovation, and a strategic global outlook—ensuring LCUP remains competitive, relevant, and globally engaged in the ever-evolving hospitality and tourism landscape.