A psychologist, educator, researcher, and academic leader, Dr. Rodolfo Bonnin brings nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of education, health, and mental health to his role as the first Dean of the School of Social Work and Mental Health at Barry University. His career reflects a deep commitment to advancing academic excellence, student success, and the integration of mental health into healthcare and policy.
Dr. Bonnin earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Missouri and has since built a distinguished record of leadership in higher education. At Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, he served as Assistant Dean for Institutional Knowledge Management and Associate Professor of Psychiatry. In these roles, he led the development of academic data systems that supported evidence-based decision-making and student success, created innovative assessment and evaluation processes for faculty, and advanced curricular innovations that introduced critical mental health topics into medical education.
An advocate for normalizing difficult conversations in medicine, Dr. Bonnin has developed evidence-based curricula on emotional intelligence, suicide education, and behavioral evaluation of student professionalism. His pioneering work addressing stereotypes and stigma around suicide led to the creation of a permanent, nationally recognized training program, making FIU one of the few medical schools in the country to embed suicide assessment into its curriculum. He’s working hard to bring this experience to the students at Barry University. His research, scholarship, and leadership consistently reflect a dedication to student well-being, healthcare provider competencies, and the broader social factors that shape patient outcomes.
As Dean of the School of Social Work and Mental Health, Dr. Bonnin is dedicated to expanding experiential learning, strengthening faculty research productivity, and deepening community engagement. Guided by the belief that psychology and social work education are essential to building healthier and stronger communities.