Grit and Grace: The Story of Inshierah Sarip, CvSU Imus' First Psychology Summa Cum Laude

---

In the hallways of Cavite State University - Imus Campus where students often hurry between lectures and labs, a quiet history was made.

Inshierah Sarip, a BS Psychology student, became the first ever summa cum laude in her program in the campus’ history. But for Inshierah, the accolade was only a symbol. What truly mattered was the journey fueled by her purpose, anchored in faith, and driven by a powerful why.

The Calling Rooted in Public Service

Long before she found herself standing at the top of her graduating batch, Inshierah was already drawn to public service through her early years as a campus journalist. That experience shaped her desire to understand and help others—something she found deeply connected to the field of Psychology.

“Kinuha ko talaga yung Psychology kasi ito yung pinakamalapit sa gusto ko”, she recalls. “Gusto ko talaga ng public service… kaya from the start, Psych talaga ang first choice ko.”

This clarity in her path was not born out of her ambition, but out of alignment with her values. For her, psychology was not just a subject but it is a way to understand people, and in turn, serve them better.

The Goal, The Prayer, The Possibility

From the beginning, Inshierah quietly carried a goal with her and it is to graduate with honors. But it was not until her second year, when she was recognized by her department as one of the Top 10 students, that the dream of becoming a Latin honoree truly took root. Still she kept her academic performance to herself.

“I never posted my grade or averages online,” she shares. “Ayokong maging conscious ang ibang students. I don’t want them to see me as competition.”

What many didn’t know was that behind her calm presence was a young woman persistently working, powered by a prayer.

“Everyday, nagdadasal ako kay Allah na pag-graduate-in ako on time,” she shares. “Kahit gaano ka kasipag, kung walang grace ng Allah, hindi mo maaabot ‘to.” And even as the idea of Latin honors faded during her final year, she held on to her faith.

The Hardest Year, Deepest Strength

Inshierah’s final year in college was the most grueling chapter of her journey.

Juggling her thesis and on-the-job training, she often find herself physically and emotionally drained. “Walang-wala yung pagod mula first year hanggang third year sa pagod ng fourth year”, she admits. “Pagkauwi ko galing OJT, diretso na akong gagawa ng research paper.”

But through the exhaustion, she held onto her family, who carried her burdens when she could barely carry her own. “Naiintindihan nila na busy ako and gusto kong maibalik sa kanila ang lahat ng suporta nila sa akin.”

She also leaned on a tight circle of friends who had been with her since the beginning, and on professors who nurtured not just her academic growth but her resilience. Mentors like Sir Kyle Paredes, Ma’am Rain Penales, Ma’am Je-Ann Irog, Ma’am Grace Descarga, and Ma’am Milangelie Torreno left a lasting mark on her journey.

Through the hardest part of her college life, it was this unshakable ‘why’ that kept her going.

The Grit and The Grace

To many, graduating summa cum laude is the highest academic honor but for Inshierah, it was never just about that. “This recognition reflects my character—how I studied, how I worked, how I stayed disciplined,” she says.

In her speech during the Ecunemical Service, Inshierah shared a powerful reflection.

“Napagtanto ko na napakahalaga ng ‘Bakit’. Because life will test you and it is hard to keep going when you do not know your reason.”

Now as she steps forward into a new chapter, she carries with her not just the honor, but the message she hopes others remember: “Do not aim for the best—be the standard. Pero kapag nagsa-strive tayo, dapat nandoon pa rin ang humility. Kung magiging angat tayo, dapat tulungan din natin iangat yung mga nasa paligid natin.”

As the first summa cum laude of BS Psychology in CvSU Imus, Inshirah hopes to leave a legacy that speaks not only of excellence but of empathy and purpose. It is a reminder that true success is measured not just by what we achieve, but why we pursue it. [F]

via Carlos Luis Pilar, Features Editor & Micleian Illustrisimo, Staff Writer