Her Story
About Joanna
Joanna Agnello is a psychology professor and therapist with 25 years of experience in higher education and healthcare. She teaches a variety of psychology courses at the City University of New York, where she works with a diverse student body, and she also sees clients in her role as a licensed mental health counselor in New York State. Agnello specializes in trauma and conducts research around identity. Her background includes ten years as a school counselor in middle and high schools, work as a consultant developing social-emotional mental health curriculum, and prior publication of articles on motherhood and parenthood. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Bergen College and two master's degrees from Columbia University in social organizational psychology and psychological counseling. Agnello is currently enrolled in a doctoral program in community-based leadership. She attributes her success to her passion for her work and its ever-changing, creative nature.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Joanna
01What do you attribute your success to?
My passion for what I do and my true love for it. I love what I do, I'm passionate about what I do, and I think that's what's helped me to be successful. The fact that it's always changing and evolving, and there's the creativity in the world of teaching psychology.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
To go for it, be yourself, and to go for it, and to always try, and that you'll always be learning. It never ends. It never stops. You can always grow.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
To put themselves out there. To ask for what they need, to support when needed. To support each other and help each other. To connect? To have, like, that female colleague circle, I would say.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Opportunities for continued growth, research, publishing, fellowships, and professional development within the university. Challenges include the time component for running research and collecting data, and learning how to use AI responsibly and ethically in the classroom.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Heart, work ethic, hard work, committing, and number one, kindness.
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