Rate My Professor Kathi Trawver

Kathi Trawver, Ph.D., LMSW, serves as a Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in 2011, Master of Social Work from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 1998, and Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Northern Iowa in 1979. With over 25 years of experience as an Alaskan social worker, Trawver has progressed in her academic career at UAA, holding previous positions such as assistant professor. She currently fulfills multiple leadership roles, including BSW Program Coordinator, OEC Program Coordinator in Interprofessional Child Welfare, Interim MSW Field Education Coordinator, and Co-Director of the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies. Trawver teaches in both BSW and MSW programs, with courses in research and social work practice.

Trawver's scholarly contributions center on community-engaged initiatives addressing pressing social issues in Alaska. Her key publications include 'Library-based field placements: Meeting the diverse needs of patrons, including those experiencing homelessness' (Aykanian et al., 2020, Journal of Social Work Education), 'Researching food and housing insecurity among America’s college students: Lessons learned and future steps' (Trawver et al., 2020, Journal of Social Distress and Homelessness), 'Food and housing insecurity and homelessness among students in an open-enrollment university' (Trawver & Hedwig, 2020, Journal of Social Distress and Homelessness), 'Psychosocial treatment of schizophrenia' (Rubin, Springer, & Trawver, 2011, John Wiley & Sons), 'Managed alcohol: one community’s innovative response to risk management during COVID-19' (Brocious et al., 2021, Harm Reduction Journal), and 'A statewide integrated child welfare coaching and mentoring program: Mentored workers’ perception of quality, impact, and satisfaction' (Trawver & Brocious, 2024, Journal of Public Child Welfare). She received the 2008 Selkregg Community Engagement and Service Learning Award for her leadership in Project Homeless Connect, which facilitates access to housing and services for those experiencing homelessness. In 2014, Trawver oversaw a $300,000 Health Resources and Services Administration grant to expand MSW practicum internships focused on youth behavioral health. Presently, she is Principal Investigator for Technical Assistance for Alaska’s Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program Grantees (2025-2027) and Co-Principal Investigator for the Alaska Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (2025-2026). Her work strengthens partnerships between UAA and Alaskan communities while training professionals to meet behavioral health demands.