TRAINING THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW.
Building on liberal arts and science foundations, a theoretical framework, and experiential
learning, a career in Human Services combines personal fulfillment with professional
growth with a commitment to making a positive impact. Human services professionals
tackle a wide range of societal challenges, from mental health to poverty and marginalized
communities.
As a committed and caring professional, you will have the opportunity to work closely
with diverse populations, supporting individuals, families, and communities in achieving
their goals. Beyond the intrinsic rewards of helping others, the Human Services field
provides a multitude of career paths and advancement opportunities, allowing you to
tailor your career to match your specific interests and passions. The flexibility
of this field allows for work in various settings, such as government agencies, nonprofit
organizations, healthcare institutions, schools, and community centers.
Embark on a career in Human Services and join a compassionate and dedicated community
of professionals. Together, we can create a future where everyone can access the support,
care, and opportunities they deserve.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Develop skills in counseling, mediation, and human services administration.
Dr. Jean Snyder’s career in family medicine has spanned decades, continents, and nearly every corner of patient care. Now, after years of serving communities across Alaska and beyond, she has been recognized as the Alaska Family Physician of the Year by the Alaska Academy of Family Physicians.
Division of Population Health Sciences Associate Professor Dr. Britteny Howell recently published two new studies that investigates the relationship between aging and mental health. Her research seeks to explore gaps in existing literature about how the experience of aging is shape by factors like social context, culture, activities, beliefs, environment, and more.
Dr. Corrie Whitmore, an associate professor in the Division of Population Health Sciences, and her team at UAA’s Center for Behavioral Health Research and Services are celebrating the recent publication of a new article. The paper, which was published in the Dec. 2025 issue of Nursing for Women’s Health, offers a framework and actionable strategies for nurses to improve communication and patient experience in discussions around substance use and contraception.
School of Social Work Assistant Professor Amana Mbise and ISER Research Assistant Professor Nathan West are exploring the relationships that Black barbershops play in men's health. Their community-based research prioritizes the lived experiences of the men they talk to, and is revealing how barbershops function not just as grooming spaces, but as social and cultural hubs.
As a neonatal nurse practitioner at Providence Alaska Children’s Hospital and adjunct faculty member for the UAA School of Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice alumna and graduate student hooding ceremony speaker for the fall Class of 2025 Stacy Brunquist weaves education into everything she does — training new caregivers, guiding parents learning to care for their newborns, and sharing knowledge with professionals from Utqiaġvik to Sitka.