Social Work News

Amana Mbise stands in front of a screen with a slide that reads "Background: Barbershops and Health." He is gesturing and speaking to an audience (not pictured) Read More

Researchers examine the role Black barbershops play as health care spaces for men

 |  Matt Jardin  |  , , ,

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.

Donna Aguiniga, Matthew Cuellar and Mary Dallas Allen smiling, standing in front of trees Read More

UAA’s School of Social Work $1.2 million Department of Education grant will fill school social worker shortage in Alaska

 |  Catalina Myers  |  , , , ,

UAA's School of Social Work received a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to address the need for Alaska social workers in a K-12 setting. The School-Based Social Work Education and Network Development program (SSWEND) aims to graduate a cohort of 31 fellows by 2026 who will increase the amount of school-based mental health service providers in high-needs schools.

trees surrounding trail covered in snow Read More

Hometown, Alaska: Discussing mental health awareness and suicide prevention

 |  Alaska Public Media  |  , ,

Master of Social Work student Shana Cooper works with the Alaska Native Justice Center. She joined the Hometown, Alaska podcast to talk about mental health and suicide prevention in the state.

Guy Harris Read More

MSW Student Spotlight: Guy Harris

 |  Guy Harris  |  , , ,

"For all those deciding what to do following high school, I encourage you to find your passion, that spark that brings you joy and motivation. If you don’t quite know what you want to do with your life, that is okay. When you find the path that motivates you, take each small step one by one, but don’t stop growing," said MSW student Guy Harris.

Dr. Vanessa Meade Read More

Honoring Mary Louise Rasmuson: School of Social Work faculty Vanessa Meade instrumental in Alaska VA renaming

 |  Catalina Myers  |  ,

On Feb. 24, the Alaska VA Clinic was officially renamed the Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson Campus of the Alaska VA Healthcare System, a collaborative effort that included both Alaska senators and U.S Representative, as well as the invaluable contributions of Assistant Professor Vanessa Meade in UAA’s School of Social Work.