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 practice in Alaska.

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
2001
  • Master of Social Work - Boise State University - Boise, ID
1998
  • Bachelor of Science in History and Psychology - Eastern New Mexico University - Portales, NM

 

Mary Dallas Allen, Ph.D, MSW
Associate 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
Professional & Departmental Services
  • 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
Research Interests
  • 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
1994
  • Master of Social Work - University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, School of Social Work - Minneapolis, MN
1989
  • 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
Professional & Departmental Services
  • 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
2007
  • Master of Social Work - University of Alaska Anchorage - Anchorage, Alaska
2004
  • 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
Professional & Departmental Services
  • BSW Program Coordinator

Education

2011

  • Ph.D. - University of Texas at Austin
1998
  • Master of Social Work - University of Alaska Anchorage - Anchorage, AK
1979
  • 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
1977
  • Bachelor of Arts - Trinity University

 

Heidi Brocious, Ph.D, MSW
Associate  Professor and Interim MSW Field Education Coordinator
  		 
hlbrocious@alaska.edu
 Teaching Responsibilities
  • Foundation Research Methods
  • Program Evaluation
  • Social Policy
Education
  • 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
Research/Academic Interests
  • Community driven research
  • Rural social work and practices issues 
  • Housing First and programs to address homelessness
  • Adoption and ethnicity 

 

Amana Mbise, Ph.D
Multicultural Postdoctoral Fellow
PSB 224B 		907-786-6910
ambise@alaska.edu
 

Research/Academic Interests

  • Child rights and immigration

 

Ashley O'Connor, Ph.D
Assistant Professor
PSB 225B 		907-786-6908
aoconnor4@alaska.edu
 Teaching Responsibilities
  • Research
  • Trauma and Crisis Intervention
Research Interests
  • Veterans and Military
  • Alternative Treatments for Mental Health
  • Animal-Assited Interventions
  • Scale Development
  • Student Veterans
Education
  • 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
  		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

 

Staff

 

Chrissy Wilson
Business Manager
PSB 234G 		907-786-6911
cwohl@alaska.edu
As the Business Manager for the School of Social Work, Chrissy is responsible for administering MSW admissions, personnel, budget, staff supervision, and other activities. Chrissy is the primary contact person for questions about MSW admissions.

 

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 234/230 		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 229 		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.