It offers programs at the pre-elementary, elementary, secondary, tertiary, and graduate levels. It also offers adult education programs. Although primarily a women’s school, the Child Study Center, Adult Education, and Graduate School units accept male students. History
The story of Miriam College dates back to 1926 when the Archbishop of Manila, requested the Sisters of the Maryknoll Congregation in New York to initiate a teacher-training program for women in the Philippines. In an old remodeled Augustinian Convent in Malabon, Rizal, the Malabon Normal School was established. The school transferred sites several times until finally in 1952, with its name officially changed to Maryknoll College, it laid down its permanent roots in Diliman (or Loyola Heights), Quezon City. A long period of stability and growth followed. Maryknoll College expanded its programs from training teachers to the formation of women leaders, thus a liberal arts college was developed. The school grew in student population, in programs, services and reputation, justifiably achieving recognition as a school where academic excellence, communication skills, competence, individuality and social responsibility were developed in its students. Its graduates have distinguished themselves in various professions. Several have been cabinet secretaries, legislators, accomplished businesswomen, entrepreneurs, educators and leaders of government and non-governmental organizations. To date, nineteen alumnae have been selected as “The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service” (TOWNS) awardees. After Vatican II, the Maryknoll congregation began to evaluate its work, not only in the Philippines but worldwide, in the light of their original apostolate as a missionary order. In the 60s, the Maryknoll congregation saw the readiness of the Filipino laity to continue the educational mission they had started. In 1977, the ownership and management of the school was turned over to lay administrators. In accordance with the agreement, the name Maryknoll was to be changed to pave the way for the promotion of the school’s unique identity, distinct although not disconnected from the identity of the Maryknoll sisters. In 1989, after a series of consultations, Maryknoll College was re-named Miriam College. To meet the challenges of the times, Miriam College has expanded its course offerings and set up four major centers for curriculum development, research and community outreach – the Environmental Studies Institute, the Center for Peace Education, the Institutional Network for Social Action and the Women and Gender Institute. Miriam College began in 1926 when the Archbishop of Manila requested the Sisters of the Maryknoll Congregation based in New York, USA to establish a teacher-training school for young, Catholic, Filipino women. An old Augustinian Convent in Malabon, Rizal was initially converted into the Malabon Normal School. The school transferred sites several times until finally in 1952, with its name changed into Maryknoll College, it laid down its permanent roots in Loyola Heights, Quezon City. Maryknoll College expanded its programs from training teachers to becoming a liberal arts college that formed women leaders.[citation needed] After Vatican II, the Maryknoll congregation decided to focus their efforts on their missionary work worldwide. The first lay president, and first female president of a catholic college in the Philippines was Dr. Paz V. Adriano, who had been a student of the Maryknoll nuns. The second president was Dr. Lourdes Quisumbing, who later became the Secretary of Education under the presidency of Corazon Aquino. The third was Dr, Loreta Castro, the fourth, Dr. Patricia B. The current president is Dr. Rosario Oreta Lapus In accordance with this agreement, the school was re-named Miriam College in 1989. Miriam College stopped accepting male students at the collegiate level in 1999. The last batch of male students (who entered the college in 1998) graduated in 2002, thereby making Miriam College an exclusive all women's college.
