After working in the Church Educational System for nearly 30 years, Vice President for Student Development & Services Debbie Hippolite Wright has announced her intention to retire this summer.
Hippolite Wright, who is also a member of the BYU–Hawaii President’s Council, oversees all student services. These services include International Student Services, Counseling & Disability Services, Financial Aid & Services, Residential Life, Dean of Students, Seasider Sports & Activities, Health Services and Student Leadership. Hippolite Wright also serves as the university’s Title IX coordinator.
In an announcement from BYUH, President John S. Tanner said, “In her role as vice president, Debbie has been a voice for students. She has also brought valuable perspectives as a BYU–Hawaii alumna, a former international student, a woman, a Māori, a professionally trained therapist, a parent of BYUH students, and a long-time member of the community. I am grateful for her diligent service to the university.”
Education and career
After graduating early from high school at the age of 16, Hippolite Wright left her home on the South Island of Aotearoa (New Zealand) to pursue an education at BYUH. After graduating, Hippolite Wright went on to receive her master's of social work at BYU and a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Waikato.
Throughout her career, Hippolite Wright practiced as a social worker and marriage and family therapist in Aotearoa, Hawaii and the U.S. Mainland. She also worked in International Child Welfare for the LDS Church. In 1990, at the age of 20, she was hired at BYUH and worked in the Social Work Department as a professor for 17 years until advancing to her current position. Among her accomplishments, Hippolite Wright has also published articles and books.
Experience at BYUH
With retirement approaching, Hippolite Wright revealed feelings of excitement and nostalgia. As a BYUH graduate, she expressed gratitude to the university for its significance in both her life and the lives of her family members.
“It was here that I learned that the gospel of Jesus Christ was true. After I graduated, I left on my mission because of my experiences here. BYU–Hawaii is an integral part of my life, and it will still continue to be that way.
“For me, BYU–Hawaii is absolutely a fantastic place to develop character, skills, and an educational background. Being an alumna of the university, I love the mission. I believe the mission. And I believe the vision of David O. McKay, that students will be a force for good internationally, is absolutely true.”
Hippolite Wright has seen this prophetic prophecy unfold in her travels around the world. She said, “I’ve had the opportunity to travel to many parts of the world where our students are from, and it’s just been a blessing to see how our students have become leaders in their communities and in the Church. I can go to most countries in the world and there will be a BYU–Hawaii graduate there.”
A Māori upbringing
Hippolite Wright was taught important cultural values specific to her Pacific Island heritage and her LDS faith. From a young age, she said she learned the value of education, love of people, hard work and faith. These values, she added, have served as guides throughout her life.
Hippolite Wright grew up in a large Māori family during a time when educational opportunities were limited. She said, “In those days, higher education was pretty closed to Māori. But because of the Church, my family valued education and they also stressed to their children the importance of doing your best and getting what education you can.”
Because of her parent’s emphasis on education, Hippolite Wright was the first in her family to receive a university degree. Subsequent to that, her siblings all graduated from college, with several of them receiving advanced degrees, including her brother, Andre Hippolite, who is the program director of the Faculty of Education & Social Work on campus.
“My philosophy is that education makes us a more refined tool in the hands of the Lord to do His work and to bring about His plan.”
As a young girl, Hippolite Wright said she was taught to love and serve. This love of people is encapsulated in the famous Māori saying, “He aha te mea nui o te ao. He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.” meaning, “What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.”
From her parents, Hippolite Wright learned the value of work. She said, “My parents worked hard, My family worked hard. I was taught to dream of what is possible, but I was also taught to get up and work to make that dream come about ... I was one of the first dozen Māori women to get a Ph.D., and that was because of hard work.”
Hippolite Wright listed faith as being a critical value that came from her Māori upbringing. She said, “There are so many stories of faith throughout the Pacific, and I certainly was raised to believe that when you face difficult times, turn to the Lord. If you’re having a hard time at work or in your studies, turn to the Lord. Rely on the Lord.”
Looking to the future
Her continued hope for the university is, “We remain true to the prophetic mission and current direction of living prophets. We are tied to a prophetic mission and my continued hope is that we continue to honor that legacy and to bring it about.”
For the current students at BYUH, Hippolite Wright advised, “Keep going, you can do it. Work hard. You have a purpose and potential. The Lord is mindful of you. That is true. We can do it with God’s help.”
Friend and neighbor Rebekah Kay Strain, adjunct faculty in the Faculty of Religious Education, Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts and former deputy Title IX coordinator, said, “I worked with Debbie for almost two years. She has been a neighbor of mine for five years. Debbie has worked hard to overcome some daunting obstacles and succeed in her career, primarily sexism and ethnic discrimination. Her past experiences helped her develop a sense of empathy for others who struggle.
“This has helped her be a force for good as she has worked with students from around the world who have faced similar challenges. She loves BYU–Hawaii and is devoted to the mission of the university. Hopefully, she can enjoy a well-earned retirement. I have no doubt she will continue to learn and serve. I cannot imagine her retiring her mind and heart from continuing to pursue knowledge and lift others.”
Looking forward to what the future has in store, Hippolite Wright said, “There is so much out there still to do, still many ways to contribute to building the kingdom. There are still many ways to help other people and to use the skills the Lord has blessed me with to continue to do His work.
“It’s time for others to contribute to this wonderful mission and help the students. But, gosh, it was here on this campus that, as a student, I developed a testimony for myself of the gospel. It will always be a special place for me and my family.”