Jaclyn M. Petrus (Magna Cum Laude, B.A. 2007)  Ms. Petrus was selected to be the undergraduate Valedictory speaker at the Winter, 2008 commencement.  A graduate of Punahou High School, Jaclyn  is using her bachelor’s degree as a stepping stone to a master’s degree. “I hope to become a clinical psychologist, although I would also love to teach at the university level.”    

Jaclyn started college on the East Coast, but returned to the islands after deciding she wanted to be closer to home. She transferred to HPU and became active in various mental health organizations.  She proved that she is able to handle a full plate – earning a 3.94 cumulative grade point average and a 4.0 in her major while volunteering at Hawai‘i State Hospital, serving as president of the Psi Chi psychology honor society, and authoring a handbook on eating disorders.    

“I would recommend HPU because it is very hard to get lost in the crowd, as could happen in larger universities,” she said. “The professors are extremely invested in each student’s education and success.”