Prof. Dr. Merian P. Catajay-Mani, Ed.D., CESE, is the current and 5th President of Romblon State University (RSU), the premier higher education institution in Romblon province, Philippines. Originally from Long Beach, San Agustin, Romblon, she is an alumna and a home-grown full-fledged professor of RSU. She earned her Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) and holds Career Executive Service Eligibility (CESE), reflecting her strong academic and professional qualifications as the university leader. Her career path includes serving as Vice President for Research, Extension, and Production at RSU during its transition from college to university status.

From 2015-2020, Dr. Catajay-Mani was elected President of Marinduque State College (MSC), where she demonstrated transformative leadership as a multi-awarded public servant. She championed causes such as environmental protection, climate change adaptation and mitigation, good governance, poverty alleviation, rural development, and empowerment of youth, women, children, and indigenous peoples. She also held key roles, including National President of the Philippine Association of Research Managers (PHILARM), and authored books while presenting and publishing research internationally on topics like renewable energy and environmental education.

Dr. Catajay-Mani assumed the presidency of RSU in 2020 for an initial term through 2024. In a significant milestone, she was officially reaffirmed by the RSU Board of Regents in March 2025 for a second term, with her oath administered by CHED officials, extending her leadership potentially through 2028. This reaffirmation highlights her dedication, vision, and impact in steering the university toward excellence, global engagement, and institutional growth.

Dr. Mani’s influence extends beyond her roles in the university. She currently serves as President of the PhilCan EduCon Infin8 Network of Higher Educational Institutions for internationalization and local impact. She also serves as Chair of the MIMAROPA Health Research and Development Consortium and the SAVE ME Movement National Directorate, as well as Chair of the International Linkages Committee for the Philippine Association of Research Managers, Inc. (PHILARM) from 2022 to 2024.

She was conferred with various awards in leadership and her advocacies, including the Special Citation for Karapatang Pantao Award, Most Outstanding Volunteer, Most Inspiring Teacher of Saceda Youth Lead, and many others. Recently, her contributions earned her the Meritorious Service Award for Transformative Leadership and Outstanding Contributions to Women and Children's Welfare in 2025.

A woman of vision and a leader of impact, Dr. Catajay-Mani emphasizes unity, resilience, innovation, and becoming the best versions of oneself to realize a "better, bigger, braver, and brighter" RSU. She actively advocates for gender and development (GAD), women's and children's rights, sustainability initiatives, and community empowerment through university programs. Under her guidance, RSU pursues international collaborations, smart agriculture advancements, and rankings improvements, inspiring the community toward collective progress and regional development in MIMAROPA.