Staff
Director
Valerie M. Gifford, Ph. D.
Valerie Gifford was welcomed in August 2019 by the UAF Student Health and Counseling Center as the new Director. Originally from Wyoming, Dr. Gifford relocated to Alaska in 1994. The majority of her time in Alaska has been committed to living and providing services in rural communities. Dr. Gifford earned her Bachelor’s of Social Work degree from UAF, Master’s of Social Work degree from Wurweiler School of School Work at Yeshiva University, and her Ph.D. in Clinical-Community Psychology with a Rural and Indigenous Emphasis from UAF. In addition to her work with UAF Student Health and Counseling, Dr. Gifford serves on UAF’s faculty for the School of Education’s Counseling Program and the College of Liberal Arts’ Psychology Department. She is licensed in Alaska as a psychologist and clinical social worker.
Medical staff
Beverly Parrott
Jamie Bourque
Sarai Welch
Zena Kirkland
Terri Berrie
Counseling staff
Stacey Schmitt, LCSW Associate Director for Counseling Services
Stacey is the Associate Director for Counseling and has been with UAF Student Health
and Counseling since 2013. She received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the
University of Washington and obtained her clinical licensure shortly thereafter.
Katrina Rast, Ph. D
Katrina Rast holds a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical-Community Psychology
jointly from UAF and UAA.
Kiana Carr, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Kiana received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Trinity Christian College
and her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Adler School of Professional
Psychology in Chicago, IL.
Sarah Jensen, MSW
Sarah received her Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from the University of Rochester
and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Bridgewater State University.
Marie Skanis, Ph. D.
Marie Skanis holds a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical-Community Psychology jointly from UAF and UAA.
Front office staff
