She was trained as a clinical psychologist at Kent State University. Before coming to Mary Baldwin College, she was an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. She has taught introduction to psychology, personality, abnormal psychology, counseling and psychotherapy, behavior modification, and assessment. Dr. Barongan's experiences as a female and as a Filipino have fostered her interest in issues of diversity. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, Division 35 (Psychology of Women) of APA, and Division 45 (Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues) of APA. Her research has focused on sexual aggression and body image/eating disorders.