School of Social Work

Research

UAA is a hub for cutting-edge theoretical and applied research in health, engineering, and the physical and social sciences. In nearly every discipline, undergraduate and graduate students have the opportunity to join research teams and collaborate with experienced faculty mentors.
Research at UAA

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Committed to improving the quality of life

The School of Social Work prides itself on an impeccable academic and professional reputation as well as dedication and strong commitment to supporting the student population. Social work is a profession committed to assisting individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities and society as a whole in the improvement of the quality of life through the amelioration of social problems, equitable distribution of social resources, and client empowerment.

Bachelor of Social Work program Master of Social Work program

MSW graduate Albert Toves' CHamoru values fuel his passion to help others

Since graduating in Spring 2021, Albert Toves is grateful for the insight, mentors, and experiences he gained from the UAA MSW program. The experiences and lessons he learned has emphasized his CHamoru values, which fuel his passion to help others. Read more about Albert's experience.
Meade joins VA Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee

Vanessa Meade, an assistant professor in the School of Social Work and a U.S. Army veteran, was recently appointed as a member of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee (VRHAC) on a three-year term.⁠ Read more about Vanessa's selection.
Burke publishes manuscripts related to food insecurity research

Dr. Tracey Burke and Dietetics and Nutrition Assistant Professor Amanda Walch collaborated with each other and UAA students to publish three manuscripts. Read the manuscripts.
Trawver, Brocious co-author articles resulting from community evaluations

Professors Dr. Kathi Trawver and Dr. Heidi Brocious, along with others, co-authored two articles that stem from community evaluations of Office of Children's Services' new statewide mentor program, titled Learning from the Field: Development of a Statewide Public Child Welfare Workforce Mentoring Program; and the Statewide Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA), titled Supporting and Expanding Statewide CASA Programs.
Operation Mary Louise creates community culture for women veterans

Dr. Vanessa Meade, assistant professor in UAA’s School of Social Work and Army veteran, is the coordinator for a new community-based project called Operation Mary Louise (OML), which is named after Mary Louise Milligan—a woman Meade admires for her military and leadership service. The project’s “three-pronged” mission is to increase the visibility of female veterans in Alaska, to connect them with existing resources they may not know are available to them, and to create a community culture for women veterans. Check out Seawolf Weekly feature and learn more about Operation Mary Louise.
MSW graduate Nyangath Diew recalls refugee experience that led her to pursue social work

When asked what made her decide to pursue an education in social work, MSW graduate Nyangath Diew recalls a time when her family’s future was unclear. Originally from Africa, Nyangath's family fled Sudan due to war in 1992. Fast-forward years later, Nyangath had received her BSW and has graduated from the MSW program with advanced standing. She hopes to dedicated her life to serving the unfortunate. Read more about Nyangath's experience.
Brocious, Erisman, Devientieff publish article about Housing First

UAA School of Social Work Associate Professor Dr. Heidi Brocious and adjunct professor Morgan Erisman, along with UAF Social Work Clinical Associate Professor Dr. LaVerne Demientieff, have published an article in the Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, titled Thawing out: understanding adjustment to housing first through an ecological and trauma-informed lens, which focuses on the role trauma plays in the adjustment to Housing First.
Allen chosen as RWJF Social Work Health Futures Lab fellow

Congratulations to School of Social Work Associate Professor and MSW Program Coordinator Mary Dallas Allen for being selected as a fellow for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Social Work Health Futures Lab. According to Portland State University, the national cohort is comprised of 26 social work experts from the U.S. and Canada, "who will spend the next 18 months learning about how to apply a futures lens to some of the most challenging problems of society." Learn more about the RWJF national cohort.