School of Social Work

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

Operation Mary Louise creates community culture for women veterans

July 14, 2021

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

April 14, 2021

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.
MSW student Jay Greene awarded Student Diversity Award Scholarship

February 24, 2021

Each year, the UAA Diversity Action Council awards the Student Diversity Award Scholarship to students who significantly enhance diversity at UAA by increasing visibility of diverse people, cultures and/or perspectives; creating a welcoming environment; and/or representing diverse student voices through their advocacy and participation in UAA student organizations. The council picks the top applicants to receive a tuition grant up to $1,000.
Brocious, Erisman, Devientieff publish article about Housing First

January 4, 2021

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.
MSW student Ian Foster releases documentary, titled Modern Subsistence

December 6, 2020

Set in beautiful northwest Alaska, Modern Subsistence is a documentary short by Ian Foster, a University of Alaska Anchorage School of Social Work master's student. Foster explores questions with modern hunter-gatherers in an effort to discover if/how ancient customs and modern society can coexist. What is our relationship to one another? To the planet? What values transcend time and culture? How do we know when we have enough?
Allen chosen as RWJF Social Work Health Futures Lab fellow

December 7, 2020

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.
Burke part of article published on diet quality of pantry foods

November 4, 2020

Social Work Professor Tracey Burke and Dietetics and Nutrition Program Assistant Professor Amanda Walch published an article in the Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition, titled The Nutrient Quality of Foods Provided to Clients at the Largest Food Pantry in Alaska. The project—a partnership between Burke and Walch—grew out of Burke's long-standing partnership with Food Bank of Alaska and associated pantries.