Psi Chi Psychology Honors Society Club
The Psi Chi honors society at a Networking event in Fall, 2022
Aloha UH Hilo Psychology Majors!
Did you know that UH Hilo has a Psychology Honors Club? It is the UH Hilo chapter of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. Click on the links below to learn more about how you can join this prestigious club and participate in its many fun activities!
On this page:
Overview
What is Psi Chi?
Psi Chi is a long-standing International honor society in Psychology whose mission is to promote “excellence in scholarship and advance the science of psychology.” Founded in 1929, Psi Chi has more than 700,000 lifetime members, including such notables as Albert Bandura, Elizabeth Loftus, Neal Miller, and B.F. Skinner.
What is Psi Chi at UH Hilo?
The UH Hilo Chapter of Psi Chi was established April 21, 2006 and is now approaching its 20th anniversary. Under the mentorship of Psychology faculty members Professor Nagurney and Professor Pack, the UH Hilo chapter of Psi Chi is student run and includes an elected student board of directors. Each year, Psi Chi at UH Hilo carries out a variety of activities to promote the Society’s mission. These include signature events such as a Fall Networking Event for incoming students to interact with their psychology peers and faculty, and a Spring Career Pathways Event which brings psychology majors together with a panel of professionals to learn about careers available to students who earn their B.A. degree in psychology. In late Spring, Psi Chi hosts a Pool Pizza Party for majors and a Celebration of Graduating Seniors Evening. At commencement, graduates who are Psi Chi members in good standing are recognized in the printed program with their Psi Chi affiliation. Psi Chi at UH Hilo has historically been very active. In 2014 and 2023 Psi Chi was recognized with UH Hilo Student Leadership Ka Lama Ku Awards.
What are some Reasons to Join Psi Chi?
Psi Chi is our own UH Hilo Psychology Department’s Student Honors Club. As a member of this club, you help design, promote and participate in Psi Chi service, research and educational activities. You receive international recognition for excellence in psychology, an honor that you may wish to include in employment applications and resumes. You have unique opportunities to apply for awards and grants to support research and travel to psychology conventions. You receive free access to Psi Chi publications of original research, articles on careers and graduate schools in psychology, and news about Psi Chi. Your Psi Chi affiliation will be listed with your name in the UH Hilo graduation brochure.
What are the requirements to be able to join UH Hilo’s Psi Chi Chapter?
Psi Chi is open to qualified undergraduate students. Requirements for undergraduate membership are:
applied and your eligibility is verified by the Psi Chi Faculty Advisors (see below), they will contact you about the membership fee which may be paid in cash or a check made out to “University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Psi Chi”
How do I apply for membership in the UH Hilo Chapter of Psi Chi?
Applying for membership in Psi Chi is simple. Just follow this link for the instructions and application materials.
To Whom can I direct questions to about the UH Hilo Chapter of Psi Chi?
You can learn more information about Psi Chi from its current student President Kiane Rode-Thomas.
Note, membership is only granted to students who fulfill the academic requirements and must be verified by the Chapter Psi Chi faculty advisors Drs. Nagurney - email: nagurney@hawaii.edu or Pack - email: pack@hawaii.edu.
Officers and Faculty Advisors
2024-2025 Officers
- President - Kiane Rode-Thomas
- Vice President – Isabella Hadaller
- Treasurer - Benjamin Skope
- Secretary - Alexandra Hanzlik
- Event Planner - Estella Leialoha Sebastian
- Social Media Manager - Rhobinne-Jemima-Agpalza
- Officer At Large - Vacant
Faculty Advisors
Kiane Rode-Thomas (President)
Kiane Rode-Thomas
President
Aloha! I'm Kiane and am ecstatic to call myself this year’s President for the Psi Chi International Honor Society UH Hilo Chapter! I was born on Oʻahu and raised in Kailua-Kona, here on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. When I’m not hard at work I enjoy going to the beach, volunteering, or eating out with friends. I am currently a Senior, pursuing a Bachelor’s in psychology as well as the ACES teaching certificate. My post-grad plans include working towards a Master’s of Arts in Teaching here at UH Hilo. The goal is to serve my community as an elementary school teacher, helping raise our future leaders. I am confident that my background in psychology will aid me! Stepping into my first semester as this chapter's president, I hope to further make connections with my peers, expand my horizons in psychology, and be more connected to my community/school. I’m looking forward to a fun and productive year!
Isabella Hadaller (Vice President)
Isabella Hadaller
Vice President
Hi there! I am Isabella Hadaller and I am excited to be named Vice President and Co-Social Media Manager of Psi Chi International Honor Society UH Hilo Chapter! I am currently a Junior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Communications. I plan to pursue a master’s degree and work in Clinical Child and Adolescent psychology. I am a part of the women’s volleyball team here at UH Hilo, but when I am not studying or playing volleyball with my friends, I love to read, cook, and go to the beach. I joined Psi Chi to be more involved with my major as well as implement opportunities for myself in future career paths with this experience! I am beyond excited for my first year with Psi Chi and am so grateful for this opportunity.
Benjamin Skope (Treasurer)
Benjamin Skope
Treasurer
Aloha UH Hilo Community, my name is Benjamin Skope, and I am honored to be serving as treasurer for the Psi Chi International Honors Society UH Hilo chapter. I was raised in Pāhoa with the company of my mother and our animal family, teaching me you don’t need a lot to feel a whole lot of love. This upcoming Fall semester will be my last semester at UH Hilo before I graduate with my Bachelors in Psychology. I won't be gone for too long, as later on I plan to attend the counseling masters program offered here at UH Hilo. My end goal for myself is to serve the Big Island community through mental health services and to help change the perceived outlook many have towards therapeutic services. I have already started working with children with developmental disabilities both in clinical and home settings, giving me a lot of insight into the diversity of our island. This is just a small step towards the ultimate goal of making our community better than I found it. My free time is almost exclusively dedicated to the TTRPG’s as it is an amazing way to connect with people you have known for years or met only a few days ago. During the summer I created a DND themed content channel with my good friends. The road has been rocky, but it is amazing that we have all dedicated a lot of time to creating something we all can be proud of. I hope throughout the semester to create a fun and interactive environment for psychology students where we have a thriving and inclusive community.
Alexandra Hanzlik (Secretary)
Alexandra Hanzlik
Secretary
Hello everyone! My name is Alexandra Hanzlik, I was born on the Hamakua side of the Big Island, but I was raised on the Hilo side. I am currently in my last year here at UH Hilo. As most will probably expect, working on my psychology degree with a minor in communications. I have a specific interest in criminal behavior and would like to work in this field someday. I am not sure what I plan on doing post grad, but my current ideas surround pursuing a PhD in the field of criminal psychology. If I am not on campus or doing homework, I usually find myself at the beach, exercising, cooking, or hanging out with my friends and my cats! I’m excited to say that I am this year’s Secretary for the UH Hilo’s Psi Chi Chapter. I was incredibly honored to be given this position and cannot wait to work hard alongside my fellow members. I’m excited to spend my last two semesters of undergrad working hard with my fellow members and classmates!
Estella Sebastian (Event Planner)
Estella Sebastian
Event Planner
Welina me ke aloha! My name is Estella Leialoha Sebastian and I am proud to be this year’s event planner for the Psi Chi International Honor Society UH Hilo Chapter! I am currently a senior studying Psychology and Hawaiian Studies. After graduation I plan to continue my academic journey in hopes of pursuing a masters degree in Counseling and become a therapist for children and adolescents! Outside of Psi Chi, I love dancing, attending concerts, going to the beach, and volunteering around the community! I hope to create many exhilarating, inspiring, and helpful events this semester with my peers and community! I am excited for what this year has in store!
Rhobinne Jemima Agpalza (Social Media Manager)
Rhobinne Jemima Agpalza
Social Media Manager
Aloha! My name is Jemima. I was originally from the Philippines, but I moved to the Big Island when I was around 9 years old. I am currently in my senior year, striving to get my Bachelor's in Psychology by Spring 2025. Beyond school, I enjoy hanging out with my friends, watching movies, and practicing self-care. I hope to become an existential therapist. However, realistically after graduation, I currently have no definitive plans to further my education. Not yet at least. I want to explore other careers beyond Psychology. To be more specific, I want to try becoming a flight attendant since it has always been my childhood dream. I hope to build new relationships with my fellow Psi-Chi members. I am so excited to meet everyone!
Contact
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