Valerie Gifford became the new director for the Student Health and Counseling Center in August.

Originally from Wyoming, Gifford relocated to Alaska in 1994. The majority of her time in Alaska has been committed to living and providing services in rural communities. Gifford earned her bachelor's degree in social from UAF, her master’s from Wurzweiler School of Social 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 the UAF Student Health and Counseling Center, 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.

In the months to come, Gifford will be working with SHCC staff and the campus community to identify the most effective ways to provide outreach services. In addition, telemental health service options are being explored in hopes of offering care to rural students. With the support of the UAF administration, more options are being considered to offer students a broad range of healthcare services.

A few of the changes that have taken place since August include: