This is the first in a series of profiles of researchers who were awarded a 2025 Lasallian Research Grant by the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN).
Brother Rey Erezare Mejias, FSC, is president of La Salle University – Ozamiz in the Philippines in the Lasallian Region of Asia and Oceania (PARC). With his research grant, Brother Rey will focus on diversity in the Lasallian mission through a study titled “Examining the Critical Learning Moments of Lasallian School Leaders: A Phenomenological Study of Transformative Leadership Practices in the Philippine Universities.”
“The research aspires to enhance educational leadership and institutional reform, offering valuable insights into how school leaders can implement transformative and innovative strategies to facilitate systemic change within their institutions,” Brother Rey said.
In the following Q&A, Brother Rey responded to a few questions from Christian Brothers Conference.
What inspired you to take on this project?
My enthusiasm for comprehending the influence of Lasallian values on the development of school leaders, particularly during periods of adversity and change, motivated me to embark on this project. I was driven to investigate the personal and professional experiences of Lasallian educators that contribute to a more realized sense of purpose and mission in Lasallian leadership. In addition, this research responds to the demand for values-based, transformational leaders in the current landscape of Philippine higher education.
How do you see your research benefiting the wider Lasallian community?
This study will provide significant insights into the transformative leadership paths of Lasallian school leaders, highlighting practices that can enhance mission-driven leadership in various contexts. By pinpointing essential learning experiences, the study will establish a framework for cultivating future Lasallian leaders who exemplify the charism of faith and a passion for service — both of which are inherently transformative. The results can guide leadership development programs not only in the Philippines but throughout the global Lasallian community, promoting a cohesive yet contextually adaptive approach to educational leadership.
How has the Lasallian mission influenced you as an educator/researcher?
The Lasallian mission has deeply influenced my growth as a teacher and scholar, grounding my activities in the belief that teaching is a sacred and transformative process that inspires the human spirit. Inspired by the example of the Founder — who manifests generous service and intellectual seriousness — I strive to integrate faith, scholarship and civic responsibility in both the classroom and the community. At La Salle University – Ozamiz, where I am presently an administrator, I have seen how our commitment to values-based, inclusive education nurtures not just intellects but also hearts that are empowered to serve.
How will your research enhance or connect to the Lasallian mission?
My research seeks to shed light on the ways in which Lasallian school leaders experience and respond to challenging learning moments that shape their transformative leadership, which is rooted in faith, service and a shared mission. By documenting these lived experiences, the research adds to our understanding of the expression of Lasallian values in leadership practices in Lasallian universities. Ultimately, it supports the Lasallian mission by guiding leadership development plans that foster prophetic, compassionate and mission-oriented educators.