Leadership, innovation, service, and community engagement are the hallmarks of the two-decade career of Justyna M. Flynn, EdD, LPC, administrator of the postsecondary department at the Hudson County Schools of Technology (HCST). She oversees adult certification and education programs, visits high schools and career fairs to promote these offerings, and collaborates with various departments to ensure optimal services. Dr. Flynn manages a dedicated office staff responsible for daily operations, including such community programs as cooking classes and exercise initiatives. She is also supervisor of instruction for the HCST Post Secondary Program, applying her expertise in communication and staff facilitation to enhance program quality.
Among her professional accomplishments, Dr. Flynn is particularly proud of her contributions to increasing enrollment in HCST’s programs. Her ability to analyze data, update curricula, and collaborate with the community has been instrumental in these achievements. She also points to earning her Doctor of Education (EdD) as a significant career milestone, as it enabled her to apply advanced research skills to program development.
Prior to her current roles with HCST, Dr. Flynn built her reputation for excellence as an intensive in-community therapist with EmpowerU and as a school psychologist with the Bayonne School District’s Board of Education, where she had been a school psychology intern and substitute teacher. During her undergraduate and graduate studies at Loyola University Maryland, she held multiple positions, including career counseling intern, counseling staff member, graduate assistant, athletic retreat coordinator, campus ministry intern, and psychology research assistant. Dr. Flynn also spent time as an Alzheimer’s caregiver and completed a counseling internship at MedStar Health’s Counseling Center. Her earliest professional experiences were with the Bayonne School District, where she fulfilled such roles as substitute teacher’s aide, assistant athletic trainer, and summer camp counselor, dating back to her teenage years.
Dr. Flynn’s extensive academic foundation began with earning a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Loyola University Maryland, where she remained to obtain a Master of Science in counseling psychology. She then secured a Master of Arts in school psychology as an education specialist from Seton Hall University, followed by her Doctor of Education in educational leadership and administration from Saint Peter’s University. Her dissertation, “The Impact of COVID-19 In-Person School Closures on Student Learning in a Large Urban School District,” reflected her dedication to addressing contemporary challenges in education through rigorous research.
Further demonstrating her commitment to professional development, Dr. Flynn maintains professional certifications issued by the state of New Jersey. She is licensed as a supervisor of instruction, a substitute teacher, a school psychologist, a principal, and a professional counselor (LPC).
Continuing her impressive professional trajectory, Dr. Flynn plans to keep developing the post-secondary education program at HCST. Alongside that goal, she aspires to continue advancing her career, whether within the district or potentially moving into a college-level position. A devoted ambassador for her profession, she is eager to mentor and advocate for students interested in pursuing careers in education or psychology.