Name:

Jonna Karla C. Bien

Home Institution:

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Host Institution:

Community College of Baltimore County

Award Name:

Scholar-in-Residence Program

Award Year:

2024

Bio / Write-up:

Jonna Karla C. Bien, PhD, RN, currently holds the position of Director of the Office of International Affairs and serves as an Associate Professor within the College of Social Sciences and Development, Department of Psychology, at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. She is a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program grantee wherein she will spend two semesters teaching in the Psychology Department of the Community College of Baltimore County in Maryland. As an advocate for mental health, she emphasizes the vital role of education in fostering an understanding that mental well-being is as crucial as physical health. 

With a Doctorate in Educational Psychology, a Master's in Clinical Psychology, and a Bachelor's in Nursing, Dr. Bien brings a diverse range of expertise to her roles. Her international engagements include serving as a Visiting Scholar at INTI International University, Malaysia (October-November 2022), and participating in the International Faculty Development Program at Chandigarh University, India (July 2022), where she now holds the position of International Visiting Faculty.  

As a Fulbright Grantee, Dr. Bien endeavors to act as a cultural ambassador, fostering connections between her homeland and host institutions. She seeks to promote mutual understanding and respect, bridging cultural gaps through empathy and collaboration.