Consul General Chris Rola McKernan received two College Distinguished Alumni Awards from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 2026. One came from the College of Economics and Management, for International Relations and Women Empowerment, and the other from the College of Public Affairs and Development, for Global Public Affairs. Both were conferred at a special ceremony on October 9, on the eve of Loyalty Day and Homecoming. She heads the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul, Türkiye, and is the first graduate of the UPLB Master in Public Affairs program majoring in Local Governance and Development. She works to empower members of the Filipino diaspora, overseas Filipino workers, scholars, athletes, artists and young people.