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

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

September 20, 2021

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

September 17, 2021

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.
MSW information sessions

August 9, 2021

The School of Social Work will hold online information sessions for prospective students who are interested in learning more about the Master of Social Work (MSW) program on the following dates: Sept. 21 from 12:00 to 1:00 PM, Oct. 19 from 4:00 to 5:00 PM, and Nov. 16 from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. You can register online to choose which date you’d like to attend. The MSW application portal will open on Oct. 1 and applications are due on Jan. 15, 2022. Visit the MSW program website for more information about the application and admission process. For more information, you can contact Dr. Mary Dallas Allen at mdallen7@alaska.edu or 907-786-6992.
Burke publishes manuscripts related to food insecurity research

August 31, 2021

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

July 14, 2021

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

July 14, 2021

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

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.