Virginia Cagigal, new Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Comillas CIHS)

The incoming dean, Virginia Cagigal, began her speech with deep gratitude to those who have accompanied and supported her in this new beginning, and a remembrance of those who are no longer here. "I have received the support and affection of many people, which has increased my enthusiasm for building together. It is a gift to feel the warmth of so many people," he said. She thanked the rector, Antonio Allende SJ, for his confidence and encouragement, and gave special recognition to the work of the outgoing dean, Susanne M. Cadera, for her nine years of dedication to a rich but complex faculty, as well as to the previous dean's teams who have contributed to the growth of the faculty.

The new dean closed her speech by reaffirming her commitment to this new stage full of challenges and shared enthusiasm. "We have much more at stake in how we do things than in what we do per se, so that even difficult decisions, when proposed from the point of view of caring for the person, can be assimilated," she said. "Quality listening will organise our thinking, and when dialogue is of quality it brings about an attitude of mercy. May we grow as a team in it," she concluded.

The outgoing dean, Susanne M. Cadera, reviewed some of the major milestones that the faculty has experienced during her nine years at the helm. "I think that today we have a united, dynamic, creative and diverse faculty of which all of us who work here can be proud".

The former dean also thanked all the members of the faculty for their work, the rectors and vice-rectors and the entire teaching staff, "the heart of the faculty", she said. Before concluding, she congratulated Virginia Cagigal, dedicating a few words to her: "I am sure you will be a great dean. Your temperance, mediation skills and approachability are a guarantee of this," she noted.

Finally, the rector of the university, Antonio Allende SJ, said that the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is "a central space in our university. It is a very lively faculty, which is strengthened when it works together, and with a great capacity for improvement. The rector acknowledged the outgoing dean for her commitment and dedication, her humane management and her service to others. He thanked the incoming dean for her willingness and dedication to the university. "You know very well the strengths and challenges of this faculty and I am sure you will know how to guide it with wisdom and certainty," he acknowledged.

A therapist with extensive management experience

Virginia Cagigal de Gregorio holds a PhD in Psychology from the Universidad Pontificia Comillas, where she also obtained her degree in Philosophy. She is an Associate Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Comillas CIHS), with more than 24 years of teaching experience at the institution. She specialises in Clinical Psychology and is a family and couple therapist, accredited by the FEATF and FEAP. Throughout her teaching career, she has taught subjects in the Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and in several Master's Degrees, such as the Master's Degree in General Health Psychology and the Master's Degree in Family Therapy, addressing topics such as psychological assessment, systemic family intervention and therapeutic interviewing skills.

Cagigal was director of the UNINPSI at Comillas between 2013 and 2022, and has been a member of the Board of the University Institute of the Family. She is a founding member of the Spanish Association for Research and Development in Family Therapy (AEI+DTF) and has collaborated in family therapy training programmes at several Spanish universities. Her research focuses on child and adolescent mental health, family relationships and abuse prevention, participating in projects such as the Jordan Project of UNIJES. She has also published in academic journals on topics such as forgiveness and psychological intervention.