Department
Social Sciences
The mission of the UAS Social Sciences Department is to provide an interdisciplinary learning experience. Our program facilitates student learning in the following areas:
- Diverse experiential learning experiences and opportunities.
- An integrated liberal arts education.
- Selected disciplines prepare students for careers and graduate studies.
The Social Sciences Department has a commitment to cultural diversity and to exposing students to multiple world views.

Social Sciences
Program coordinator: Dr. William Urquhart
With concentration areas in:
- Anthropology
- History
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
Start at UAS, Study Law at Willamette University with the Direct Admission Program
The 4+3 Direct Admission Program allows undergraduate students studying at UAS and UAS alumni to gain admission to Willamette Law based on certain academic credentials. When a student meets these credentials, they will be admitted to the Willamette School of Law and be guaranteed a Direct Admission scholarship of $10,000, renewable each year the student is enrolled at Willamette Law and remains in good standing.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our Social Science students. Many of them develop a strong interest in policy and law while attending UAS. This unique partnership with Willamette University of Law provides a valuable pathway for expanding their career options.” — Dr. Lora Vess, Faculty and Chair, UAS Social Sciences

Administrative Assistant
Faculty
Forest S. Haven, B.A.

Term Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Alaska Native Studies
Profile and contact infoErica Hill, Ph.D.

Professor of Anthropology
Effective January 15, 2020, Erica will be serving as program director for Arctic Social Sciences at the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, VA. While she maintains her employment with UAS, she is not currently teaching any courses or accepting any advisees. She can be reached via her UAS email.
Profile and contact infoPriscilla Schulte, Ph.D.

Ketchikan Campus Director, Professor of Anthropology/Sociology
Profile and contact infoWilliam Urquhart, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Sociology, Social Sciences Department Chair
Profile and contact infoLora E. Vess

Associate Professor of Sociology
Environmental sociology and environmental justice, food studies, social inequality, social movements, scholarship of teaching and learning, sociology of health and medicine
Glenn D. Wright, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Political Science; Statewide Coordinator, Senator Ted Stevens State Legislative Internship Program
For Glenn, the study of politics is a vocation as well as a pastime, though he also enjoys skiing and sea kayaking. He writes on environmental issues, resource governance, and Alaska state politics and spends about 150 days a year on skis or in a kayak.