Rate My Professor Ruben Katigbak

Ruben Katigbak serves as the Senior Warden of Colleges at the University of Otago, appointed in 2023 for a two-year term. In this capacity, he supports and advises wardens across the university-owned colleges, oversees the launch of Te Rangihīroa College including key staff appointments, and the commissioning of Aquinas College. He acts as acting director of Campus and Collegiate Life Services during the director's absence, manages committees, working groups, and programmes, coordinates wardens' professional development, and assists in strategy and budget development for the Divisional Office. Additionally, he serves as the primary liaison with affiliated colleges, the Scholarships Office, Student Services, and the Schools Liaison Office. Prior to this promotion, Katigbak was Warden | Tautiaki at Arana College | Te Whare o Hato Rāwiri, where his team maintained strong pastoral care and organized notable events such as the college's 80th birthday celebration in 2023 despite staff changes.

Born in Manila, Philippines, Katigbak earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from the University of Santo Tomas and pursued postgraduate studies in theology at the Loyola School of Theology before leaving the seminary. Later, he obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Auckland in 2017. His professional journey began with eight years of seminary training with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, interrupted by his father's death, after which he supported his family through volunteer work and as chief of staff at the Makati Rotary Club, overseeing education, health, nutrition, economic and community development, youth development, environment, and emergency relief efforts. Three years post-seminary, he married Rosemarie and immigrated to New Zealand in October 1998. Starting with a position at Wendy's, he advanced in student accommodation at the University of Auckland, serving as night auditor, porter, assistant manager at Railway Campus, and residential manager at O’Rorke Hall for 13 years. He joined the University of Otago in 2020 as Warden at Arana College, bringing over 20 years of experience in fostering students' social and academic growth through pastoral care. Katigbak regards his role as a vocation, rooted in faith and a commitment to treating students as family.