Dr. María Ángeles Chesa Pascual is a distinguished scholar and higher education administrator whose academic trajectory ranges from Biology, Philosophy, and Institutional Governance. She
earned her Ph.D. in Governance and Culture of the Organizations from the University of Navarra (Spain), her doctoral dissertation talks about academic dialogue based on John Henry
Newman. Her academic foundation includes a Master’s degree in Governance and Culture of the Organizations from Universidad del Istmo in collaboration with the Institute of Enterprise and
Humanism at the University of Navarra, a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy (specializing in Metaphysics and Science) from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, and a
Bachelor's degree in Biology (specializing in Fundamental Biology) from the University of Barcelona.
Throughout her tenure at Universidad del Istmo, Dr. Chesa has been a professor in Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Master's degrees programs alike, sharing her academic interests about the nature of the University, institutional dialogue and John Henry Newman's thoughts. An author to whom she has dedicated extensive scholarship. Dr. Chesa is an active contributor to international academic discourse, having presented at numerous scientific and philosophical conferences and workshops, inside and outside of Guatemala.
In 2014, she delivered the Inaugural Lecture at Universidad del Istmo, offering a critical examination of “The Role of the Humanities in the Actual Higher Education”. From 2009 to 2020, she served as Director of the Humanities Department—now the Core Curriculum Department at Universidad del Istmo. She subsequently served as Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences from 2018 to 2024, at the same university.
Since 2023, Dr. Chesa was appointed Academic Vice-Rector of Universidad del Istmo. As well as, actively being part of the Forum of Academic Vice-Rectors of Guatemalan Universities and
the Latin American Network of Academic Vice-Rectors within the Regional Community for Academic Development.
.jpg)