Faculty & Staff
The Social Work faculty is composed of academically strong individuals who are working together to develop an active, dynamic school.These individuals have a wealth of BSW and MSW educational experience, involvement with professional associations nationally and locally, rich records of service and scholarship, and a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding Alaska's unique needs and populations and social work practices.
Faculty
| David Moxley, Ph.D Director & Professor PSB 218C |
907-786-6907 dpmoxley@alaska.edu |
Professional & Departmental Services
- Director, School of Social Work
- Interim Director, National Resource Center for Alaska Native Elders
- Professor
| Donna Aguiniga, Ph.D, MSW Associate Professor PSB 222C |
907-786-6906 dmaguiniga@alaska.edu |
Teaching Responsibilities
- Introduction to Social Welfare
- Introduction to Social Work
- Practice
- Policy
- Human Behavior
Research Interests
- Child Welfare
- Homelessness
- Poverty
- Family Functioning
- Community Development
- Rural Communities
- Social Work Education
Education
2010- Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work - University of Texas at Austin - Austin, TX
- Master of Social Work - Boise State University - Boise, ID
- Bachelor of Science in History and Psychology - Eastern New Mexico University - Portales, NM
| Mary Dallas Allen, Ph.D, MSW Professor & MSW Program Coordinator PSB 224D |
907-786-6992 mdallen7@alaska.edu |
Teaching Responsibilities
- Research Methods
Professional & Departmental Service
- MSW Program Coordinator
- Advisor for students pursuing School Social Work Certification
Education
2008
- Ph.D. in Social Work and Social Research - Portland State University - Portland, OR
- Dissertation:"Attributes of Effective Head Start Mental Health Consultants: A Mixed Methods Study of Rural and Urban Programs." Chair: Eileen Brennan
2001
- Master of Social Work - Virginia Commonweath University - Richmond, VA
- Clinical Social Work Practice Concentration - Virginia Commonweath University - Richmond, VA
- Certificate in School Social Work - Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond, VA
1995
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology - The College of William and Mary - Williamsburg, VA
| Tracey Burke, Ph.D, MSW Professor PSB 225C |
907-786-6905 tkburke@alaska.edu |
Teaching Responsibilities
- Introduction to Social Work
- Practice
- Diversity
- Human Behavior & the Social Environment (HBSE)
- Departmental Honors
- UAA Center for Community Engagement & Learning (CCEL)
- UAA School fo Social Work BSW Curriculum Committee
- Alaska Food Coalition & Food Bank of Alaska
- SaveAlaska - State Commission for Community Service
- Food security & poverty
- Service provision in rural Alaska
- Civic development & service learning
Education
2003
- Ph.D. in Social Welfare - University of Washington, School of Social Work- Seattle, WA
- Master of Social Work - University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, School of Social Work - Minneapolis, MN
- Bachelor of Arts - Villanova University, Philosophy Department & Honors Program - Villanova, PA
| Alexa Filanowicz, MSW, LCSW Term Assistant Professor & BSW Field Coordinator PSB 225A |
907-786-6908 afilanowicz@alaska.edu |
Teaching Responsibilities
- Practicum
- Practice
- BSW Field Education Coordinator
- Faculty Representative for the Social Work Coalition (student club)
Education
2009
- Certificate in Children's Mental Health - University of South Florida
- Master of Social Work - University of Alaska Anchorage - Anchorage, Alaska
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology - University of Utah
- Minor in Gender Studies
- Criminology Certificate
| Vanessa Meade, Psy.D, MSW, LCSW Assistant Professor PSB 225E |
907-786-6903 vmeade@alaska.edu |
Education
2015
-
Doctor of Psychology - Alaska Pacific University
1999
- Master of Social Work - Aurora University
1996
-
Bachelor of Social Work - Western Illinois University
- Minor in Law Enforcement Justice and Administration
| Kathi Trawver, Ph.D, LMSW Professor, BSW Program Coordinator and Interim MSW Field Education Coordinator PSB 224C |
907-786-6915 krtrawver@alaska.edu |
Teaching Responsibilities
- Research
- Social Work Practice
- BSW Program Coordinator
Education
2011
- Ph.D. - University of Texas at Austin
- Master of Social Work - University of Alaska Anchorage - Anchorage, AK
- Bachelor of Social Work - University of Northern Iowa - Cedar Falls, IA
| Stephanie Vaughn, MSSW, LCSW Term Instructor PSB 222D |
907-786-6901 slvaughn@alaska.edu |
Professional & Departmental Services
- MSW Field Education Coordinator
Education
1980
- Master of Science in Social Work - University of Texas at Arlington
- Bachelor of Arts - Trinity University
| William "Bill" Galic, MSW, ACSW Assistant Professor |
907-252-5619 wfgalic@alaska.edu |
Teaching Responsibilities (undergraduate and graduate):
- Introduction to Social Welfare
- Introduction to Social Work
- Social Welfare Policy and Services
- Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- Human and Cultural Diversity
- Social Work Practice
Professional Interests:
- Poverty and Social Welfare
- Social Policy
- Child Welfare and Child Protection
- Social Work Practice
Education and Credentials:
- Master of Social Work - Florida State University School of Social Work, Tallahassee, Florida (1983)
- Bachelor of Arts in Social Work - Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (1974)
- Licensed in Clinical Social Work in Alaska until retirement from the field in 2014
- Academy of Certified Social Workers, NASW
Teaching Responsibilities
- Foundation Research Methods
- Program Evaluation
- Social Policy
- 2013 Ph.D. in Social Work - University of Utah, Salt Lake City
- 1999 Master of Social Work - Walla Walla University, Walla Walla, Washington
- 1995 Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education - University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau AK
- Community driven research
- Rural social work and practices issues
- Housing First and programs to address homelessness
- Adoption and ethnicity
| Amana Mbise, Ph.D Assistant Professor PSB 224B |
907-786-6910 ambise@alaska.edu |
I have more than 10 years of experience in social work, global health, and community development in Tanzania, Denmark, and the U.S. My research interests center around immigration, human trafficking, and rights-based approaches to social work. This research has so far focused on integration and inclusion of immigrants and refugees in Alaska, human trafficking and labor exploitation, and the rights of children.
Teaching Responsibilties
- Social work practice with individuals
- Introduction to social welfare
- Social work practice with organizations and communities
- Transformational leadership in social work practice (MSW capstone preparation)
- Refugee and immigrant health
Education
- Ph.D. Social Work, University of Illinois (Chicago), 2017
- MSW (community health and urban development), University of Illinois (Chicago), 2012
- B.A. Sociology (Hons), University of Dar es salaam, 2005
| Ashley O'Connor, Ph.D Assistant Professor PSB 225B |
907-786-6904 aoconnor4@alaska.edu |
Teaching Responsibilities
- Research
- Trauma and Crisis Intervention
- Veterans and Military
- Alternative Treatments for Mental Health
- Animal-Assited Interventions
- Scale Development
- Student Veterans
- University of Denver, Graduate of Social Work - Doctor of Philosophy, November 2018
- Boston College, Graduate School of Social Work - Master of Social Work, May 2010 - Concentration: Clinical Mental Health
- Tufts University - Bachelor of Arts, February 2005 - Major: Psychology
| Jessica Ullrich, Ph.D Assistant Professor PSB 225F |
907-786-6827 jsullrich@alaska.edu |
Teaching Responsibilities
- Introduction to Social Work
- Diversity in Social Work Practice
- Diversity and Community Service Learning
Education
2020 Ph.D in Social Welfare - University of Washington
2005 Master of Social Work - University of Alaska Anchorage
2003 Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Philosophy - Gonzaga University
Research/Academic Interests
- Indigenous Concepts of Health and Wellbeing
- Child Welfare Practice and Prevention
- Connectedness and Relational Healing
| Amanda Sandlin Term Assistant Professor PSB 218D |
907-786-6439 abiggs@alaska.edu |
Teaching Responsibilities:
- Practicum Seminar Courses
- Electives
Professional & Departmental Services:
- BSW and MSW Committees
- Practicum/Field Team
Education:
- 2003: MSW from University of Alaska Anchorage, Emphasis on Health and Wellness over the Lifespan
- 2000: BSW from University of Alaska Anchorage
| Rei Shimizu Assistant Professor PSB 223D |
907-786-4708 rshimizu@alaska.edu |
| Matthew Cuellar Assistant Professor PSB 222D |
907-786-6901 mjcuellar@alaska.edu |
Staff
| Sharie Field Academic Specialist & Field Support Technician PSB 234J |
907-786-6971 sdfield@alaska.edu |
Sharie's primary responsibility is to provide support to all faculty and students
with all academic aspects of the MSW and BSW programs. She works diligently with the
Director and Program Coordinators to ensure semester-specific courses are properly
on the schedule. Sharie closely monitors new BSW & MSW Admissions, provides support
to both Field Coordinators to ensure all paperwork is gathered from practicum agencies
and site supervisors, and is proficient in performing the School's overall procedures
in order to offer assistance to all visitors and callers.
| Sharlicia Miller Program Support PSB 234 |
907-786-6900 slmiller@alaska.edu |
Sharlicia works closely with the business manager and program coordinators. She assists
students with academic paperwork, helps maintain school files, and evaluation processes.
She is often the first point of contact in the department to answer questions and
direct students to the appropriate staff and faculty.
| Eva Wilson Program Assistant, Travel Coordinator, & National Resource Center for Alaska Native Elders Support PSB 218F |
907-786-6972 egwilson2@alaska.edu |
Eva's primary roll is to provide travel and fiscal support to the BSW and MSW programs.
She is cross-trained in many department procedures and is available to assist all
visitors and callers.
| Thomas Moore Communications Specialist, National Resource Center for Alaska Native Elders PSB 218G |
907-786-0327 tlmoore9@alaska.edu |
Thomas supports the School of Social Work and the National Resource Center for Alaska
Native Elders by developing communication strategies, managing social media profiles,
and working with faculty to create multimedia projects based on their research for
innovative dissemination.