Part of the Psychology Graduate Programs is the community practicum. What was that experience like for you?

“For my community practicum, I was placed with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC). At the time, I did not even know that ANTHC existed. I quickly learned more about the organization, and found that ANTHC aligned with my reasons for going into the Ph.D. program to begin with, to learn about and serve the Alaska Native people. The experiences I have had at ANTHC taught me more about Alaska, and the Alaska Native peoples than I had ever really known. My practicum experience was an incredibly rich experience, because I was able to see clinical practices that initiated through a cultural lens and integrated with traditional practices.”

On the flip side, you now work with the Psychology program to support graduate students. What has it been like working with current students and even graduates?

“This is actually the first year that we have been able to host a graduate student specifically within the BHA program. I have previously worked alongside and supervised many of the students that have come through the broader Behavioral Health Department at ANTHC. Since I did my practicum in the behavioral health department thirteen years ago, we have had quite a few students come through, enriching the work we do in the process. In every instance, whether collaborating with them or co-supervising them, I always remember that they are students first. As a part of their learning experience, I think it is important to get the students out into the communities so they can be on the ground, experiencing all of the things rural Alaska has to offer. It is easy to talk to people about how to work with and support rural Alaskan communities, but there is a deeper level of learning that takes place when you are there and get to interact with people from those communities. I really prioritize that and make sure students get a chance to go out and have that experience.”

When you work with the students, are they typically masters students or PhD students?

“Early in my time at ANTHC, most of the students I worked with were masters or undergraduate students. In the last couple of years, I have worked more with doctorate-level students, who were completing a community or teaching practicum. Typically, the practicum is one to two semesters. This year, is the first year we have hosted a graduate research assistant; that position will be at least one year, but hopefully two."

How have you maintained a relationship with members of the Psychology Department since graduation?

“In general, since I worked at and attended UAA for such a long time, I feel pretty connected to the University. As opportunities come up, I reach out, though there are other times they have reached out to me. For example, a former professor consulted with me because they had a grant targeting the training and development of a workforce with some qualities similar to that of BHAs. Since I have been with the BHA Program for so long, I have developed some expertise regarding to address certain workforce needs and challenges. I have also had other professors from the Psychology Department that have called on me, on a more personal level; for example, when they have encountered an individual having certain struggles and they know I have experience, information, or a potential referral recommendation to support that person. I have also contracted with instructors from UAA to teach classes for BHAs. I consider these professors to be experts in their specific topics, and I really appreciated how they taught me, so it's great to have them teach the people that I am working with now. 

Thank you for sharing with us, Xiomara!

You can help support psychology students at every level of their educational journey at UAA by making a contribution to the Excellence in Psychology fund.