Christina M. Ireton, LCSW, MSW, is a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Field Director
for the UAF Social Work Program. Christina has been working in the field since 2010
when she graduated with her BSW from Radford University, and prior to that completed
her A.A.S. in Human Services. In 2015, she graduated from the distance-based advanced
standing MSW program through the University of Southern California (USC) with a concentration
in Community, Outreach, Programming and Administration (COPA). She began her career
working with victims of violence in a domestic violence shelter, and she has worked
extensively as a client advocate and community-based case manager for victims, people
with disabilities, and people with mental health issues. In addition, she has implemented
community-based violence prevention programs including Girls on the Run in the Fairbanks
community, coordinated fundraisers, and provided clinical social work on an inpatient
behavioral health unit working with adults. Additionally, she has served on various
community committees, coalitions and board of directors.
Christina currently resides in Fairbanks, Alaska, with her husband and young son.
Adventure and a larger perspective on life brought her to Alaska from rural Virginia
in 2011. Her desire to pursue her MSW and become a professor came from serving as
a field instructor for social work students. She has a deep desire to see students
be well prepared for the social work field when they graduate, and watching students
progress and grow brings her true joy.
Christina is a strong proponent for practicing self-care, especially as social workers
who spend their lives helping others. She believes there is both peace and strength
in the outdoors, in the mountains, and the land beneath our feet that grounds us as
humans and as helpers. Christina’s own life experiences and work with diverse clients
across the spectrum of social work gives her a deeper understanding of the complexity
and influence of our experiences as humans. She is dedicated to lifelong learning
and volunteer work, giving back to our neighbors and our communities.