DR. CHARESMA GRACE K. LUD-AYEN, RCrim, is the Dean of the School of Criminal Justice and Public Safety at the University of Baguio, where she has served since 2018. She is also a Professor and the Regional Secretary of the Professional Criminologists Association of the Philippines – Cordillera Administrative Region (PCAP-CAR), and the Vice-Chairperson of the Council of Criminal Justice Educators – Cordillera (CCJE-CAR). Dr.

Lud-ayen's academic credentials are both extensive and distinguished. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice with Specialization in Criminology (Cum Laude) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Development Education, both from the University of Baguio. She also earned her Master of Science in Criminology from the same institution, with additional units in Master of Arts in College Teaching. Her undergraduate degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Criminology (Cum Laude) and a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Science. At present, she is completing her Doctor of Public Administration, further broadening her expertise in governance and public administration.

She is a licensed criminologist who ranked 8th in the 2004 Criminologist Licensure Examinations, a distinction recognized by the Professional Regulation Commission, the Commission on Higher Education, and the University of Baguio.

A prolific researcher and author, Dr. Lud-ayen's scholarship spans domestic violence, gender-based violence, juvenile delinquency, criminal sociology, community crime profiling, forensic science, and student services. Her works have been published in the Philippine Criminology Journal, the International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, the Graduate School Multidisciplinary Research Journal, and the Industry and Academic Research Review, among others. She has authored books published by Wiseman's Book Trading, Inc., including Dispute Resolution and Incident Management, Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence, Professional Conduct and Ethical Standards, and Theories of Crime and Causation: Concepts, Policy Implications and Research Focus, as well as research monographs such as Reforming Youth Futures: Innovative Approaches to Juvenile Justice in Baguio City and Domestic Violence Perpetrators in Jail: A Comprehensive Study.

Dr. Lud-ayen is a recipient of a wide array of national and international honors. At the global level, she was conferred the Forensic Science Excellence Award at the 15th IASR International Conference on Forensic Science in India (2024), where she also served as Keynote Speaker and Session Chair. She served as a Judge at the QS Quacquarelli Symonds Reimagine Education Awards & Conference in London, and previously as a Judge at the same awards in Abu Dhabi. She was recognized as a Leader at The World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) in Seoul, Republic of Korea, where her work in leading the University of Baguio's crisis management and SDG-based responses to global challenges was highlighted. She is a Member of the Board of Directors of the World University Network of Innovators (WUNI) Leaders, a branch of the WURI Foundation — a non-stock, non-profit organization based in the Republic of Korea dedicated to fostering innovation in higher education. She also received the International Luminary Award in Leadership – Grand Finalist, securing 2nd place in the grand finals representing the Philippines, competing against finalists from Malaysia and Jordan.

Nationally, Dr. Lud-ayen was bestowed with the prestigious "Dakilang Kriminologo" Award, also known as the Justice Felix Angelo Bautista Award, during the historic First Philippine Criminology Profession Summit and 28th PCAP National Convention, conferred by the Professional Criminologists Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PCAP). She was also recognized as the Outstanding Criminologist for the Cordillera Administrative Region by PCAP-CAR Chapter (2022), and was named Outstanding Academic Head (Top 1) by the Private Education Retirement Annuity Association (PERAA) in 2016. She received multiple Top Performing Teacher and Exemplary Teacher awards from the University of Baguio. She also received a Plaque of Recognition for Successful School-Based End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) Program from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15, PRO-COR.

Dr. Lud-ayen is an active PACUCOA accreditor, a CHED Regional Quality Assurance Team (RQAT) member, and serves as advisor to multiple law enforcement agencies and units, including the Regional Internal Affairs Service – CAR, the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group Cordillera, the PNP Police Security and Protection Group, the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, the Baguio City Jail Male Dormitory, and the PNP National Police Training Institute Regional Training Center and Criminal and Investigation Group-Cordillera. She was also appointed by the Professional Regulation Commission in 2021 as a Member of the Career Progression and Specialization Program – Credit Accumulation and Transfer System (CPSP-CATS) Program Management Committee.

She is a lifetime member of the Asian Criminological Society and the International Association of Scientists and Researchers, and holds active membership in the Asian Qualitative Research Association, the Philippine Society of Criminologists and Criminal Justice Professionals, the Institute of Industry and Academic Research Incorporated, and the Professional Criminologists Association of the Philippines, among others.

Dr. Lud-ayen's distinguished career is defined by a remarkable synthesis of academic excellence, international leadership, and commitment to community welfare — establishing her legacy as a transformative figure in criminology, forensic science, and higher education both in the Philippines and on the global stage.