Laurie Bonjo

Dr. Laurie Bonjo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counselor Education at Southern Connecticut State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Old Dominion University (2013) and a Master's in Counseling from Penn State University.

Her teaching focuses on core counseling courses such as Counseling Theories, Multicultural Counseling, and Research Methods, alongside specialty courses like School Counseling Program Development and Evaluation. She pioneered the first CACREP-accredited doctoral program in counselor education and supervision in New England, teaching advanced courses in multicultural counseling, research design, and practicum supervision.

Research interests include qualitative/mixed methods, advocacy for marginalized groups (particularly LGBTQQIA+ communities), social justice action research, and identity development applications in school counseling. She employs feminist, queer, crip, and critical race theories to address intersectionality in cultural identities.

• Key Presentation: "Parenting the Rainbow: Working with Parents of Queer and Trans Children" at the Connecticut Counseling Association Annual Conference (2019).

Dr. Bonjo’s work emphasizes liberation practices, decolonization, and empowering underserved populations through counselor education and advocacy.