ADMINISTRATION

Due to a dramatic increase in the student's enrollment the following year, additional programs like Liberal Arts and vocational courses were offered. The name Olivarez School of Nursing was changed to Olivarez Junior College.

In 1978, it instituted the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Commerce and other Health Related Courses. The demand to open a preschool and grade school prompted the owners to offer them in. the same year. The school began accepting high school students in the following year. In 1980, the school changed its name to Olivarez College and has kept the prestigious name until now.

Originally, the school was situated in a one-hectare four-storey building where in the first floor was used as the canteen, the second floor as the nursing laboratory and classrooms, the third floor as the library and the fourth floor as the dormitory.

Together with Mrs. Arceli Adriano, Mrs. Marilou I. Aguirre, Mrs. Ruth Glori, Mrs. Petronilia Ignacio, Mrs. Teresita R. Oris, and five (5) faculty members, the school opened its doors for its first eighty-four (84) enrollees.

The year 1977 marked a dramatic increase in the students' enrollment. This triggered the offering of additional academic courses and programs like Liberal Arts and other vocational courses. Olivarez School of Nursing was later named Olivarez Junior College with Mrs. Petronila Ignacio as the first Academic Vice-President,

More departments were established in the year 1978. These were the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Commerce and other paramedic courses. The elementary department with the kindergarten and grade one classes were also set-up.

The school began accepting first and second year high school students in school year 1979. It also started to offer complete elementary courses from grades one to six. The Academic Council was organized and was composed of the Executive Vice-President, Dean of the College Department and the department heads.

Third and fourth year high school students were admitted in the following year. It was also in 1980 that the school named itself Olivarez College.

Dr. Pablo Olivarez purchased a two (2)-hectare lot adjacent to Olivarez General Hospital. This became the present site of the two-storey high school building which was completed in 1979, and the four-storey building which construction was finished in 1980.

In 1992, the school started offering graduate programs: Master of Arts in Education, major in Educational Management, Master of Arts in Education, major to Guidance and Counseling, and Master of Business Administration.

Quality education has always been a thrust of the school. Thus, in October 1990, the school formally wrote the Philippine Association for Colleges and Universities on Accreditation (PACUCOA) requesting the said group of accreditors to orient the school administration regarding the process of accreditation. The PACUCOA team came in February 1991 for a consultation meeting with the administration, faculty, and staff.

Level I accreditation status was formally awarded to the College of Liberal Arts and Commerce in July 1992. The College of Nursing was likewise granted similar accreditation status on Septembers, 1992. OnMay28, 1993, the College of Commerce and Liberal Arts were granted by PACUCOA their Level II accreditation status. The College of Nursing followed on February 7, 1997. Level II First re-accreditation status was granted to the College of Liberal Arts and Commerce on December 1998. At present, the College of Liberal Arts, College of Commerce and College of Nursing enjoy Level II, second re-accreditation status for five years.

PACUCOA likewise gave notice to the compliance to its accreditation standards of the Master of Arts in Education Program and Master of Business Administration of Olivarez College of Parañaque. On May 31, 2008, it was given a candidate status. Same is true with the Bachelor of Secondary Education, Bachelor of Elementary Education, and Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management.

On the other hand, In February 2002, the Grade School and High School Departments collectively called the Basic Education Department were awarded Level I accredited status by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Colleges and Universities (PAASCU). On May 14, 2004, PAASCU awarded once again the Basic Education Department its Level II accredited status for having satisfactorily met its requirements and standards. Four years after, on May 5, 2008, PAASCU granted the Basic Education Department the Level II re-accredited status for 5 years, valid until May 2013.

On April 1995, the school opened the year under a new administration. Two (2) of Olivarez's children Dr. Eric L. Olivarez and Mrs. Evangeline O. Ilas assumed the positions of Vice President for Academics and Services and Vice President for Finance and Administration, respectively. Also in June of the same year, a four (4) storey structure especially intended for the Basic Education Department was formally completed. At present, it contains its own cafeteria, home economics, practical arts, science and computer laboratories, audio-visual room, libraries and classrooms.

Truly, the most apparent improvement of all is the physical plant of the school. The five (5) hectare campus boasts its luscious green and well-manicured landscape. Students converge in their respective nooks in the student lounge which is a venue for them to bind with their friends and for their academic activities.

Perhaps, no other school or universities in the Philippines can outdo the athletic facilities of Olivarez College. The five (5) indoor and one (1) outdoor tennis courts are comparable to leading country clubs in the country, not to mention the twenty five (25) indoor badminton courts. The semi-Olympic sized indoor swimming pool is one of a kind. The five thousand (5,000) seating capacity coliseum is also state-of-the-art. The school prides itself with its own resort that offers leisure and serenity for the students, faculty, staff, and visitors alike.

In 2008 the new building which houses the College of Business, College of Arts and Sciences, and the main library, apart from the three (3) other libraries has been completed.

The areas of faculty and instruction are just two (2) of the attestations of the accolades of Olivarez College. A highly qualified and competent faculty pool is maintained. Majority of the professors in the College Department attained their graduate degrees from prestigious colleges and universities. In the Basic Education Department, all teachers have passed the Licensure Examinations for Teachers (LET). Faculty members incessantly pursue their quest for learning through research which the school administration supports through the allotment of annual budget for research.

Consistently, the average passing rate of the students in the National Board Examinations is over and above average the national passing rate especially in Radiologic Technology, Midwifery, Physical Therapy, Nursing, and Education. Many of the Olivarian graduates are now gainfully employed in the country and abroad. These are only but proofs of the Olivarian excellence.

The extent that the school facilities, services, and resources support the school's objectives certainly passes the test of excellence. Olivarez College is committed to and is an active participant in community services, growth and development. The school has established linkages with various colleges, universities, agencies, and other institutions. Residents of SitioSto. Nino located in San Dionisio, Parañaque City was the beneficiaries of the various outreach programs of the school. Moreover, a free preschool program is offered to the children of this adopted community. Likewise, they avail of the use of some of the school facilities. Other community programs include cleaning and greening, livelihood and entrepreneurship, computer literacy, health and sanitation, and physical and spiritual development.

It was in the year 2003 when the Board of Trustees decided to put up another campus in Tagaytay City, thus, the birth of Olivarez College - Tagaytay (OCT). According to Dr. Pablo Olivarez, OCT will serve as the key to the advancement of the educational, cultural, moral, economic and social well-being of the community. Courses offered in the Tagaytay campus are Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Marketing Management, Bachelor of Elementary Education major in Early Childhood, Associate in Health Science Education, Associate in Computer Technician, and Caregiver. Olivarez College-Paranaque offers pre-school, grade school, high school, college and graduate school programs. The programs in the College of Arts and Sciences are AB Psychology, AB Political Sciences and AB Mass Communication while the programs In the College of Education Include BSED major in Physical Education, English, Filipino, BEED and Teacher Certificate Program. On the other hand, Bachelor of Science in Commerce (BSC) major in Operations Management and Marketing Management, Associate in HRM, and BS Hotel and Restaurant Management, BS Tourism and BS Computer Science are offered in the College of Business.

In the College of Health Related Sciences, BS Nursing, Associate in Radiologic Technology, BS Radiologic Technology, BS Physical Therapy and Midwifery are offered. Graduate school courses include Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Education Major in Educational Management and Master of Arts in Education major in Guidance and Counseling.

All program offerings of Olivarez College are recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Education (DepEd), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Changes in the Olivarian community present the bigger picture of how meritoriously and remarkably every component In the school has been transformed. We are proud not only of our past and our strong determination to overcome problems and obstacles but also of our noble visions for the future.

Since its humble beginnings in 1976, Olivarez College has been true to its vision of providing a holistic education to Its students. Like a blossoming flower, it has metamorphosed into a premiere educational institution in the south of Metro Manila. The intent to be in the league of leading universities in the country impels it to move towards excellence.

To achieve this goal of excellence, the school constantly upgrades its standards. Olivarez College has been successful in its philosophy of "educating the mind, body and soul" for its students. The school administrators are working towards its goal of making Olivarez College achieve university status. This is the vision of the Founder-President of the school. Dr. Pablo Olivarez. Becoming a high-performing school takes many years of hard work. There is no silver bullet. There is no single thing Olivarez College can do to ensure high student performance.

Olivarez College does not rest on its laurels. It continuously labors to achieve a state of distinction. This can only be achieved through the concerted efforts of each and every member of the Olivarian community.