Tia Kraus

Hometown: Fairbanks, AK 

Tia always knew she wanted a career that combined meaningful connection with real-world impact. Her journey into the field of social work began in middle school, where long conversations with her school counselor, Mr. Merritt, sparked a passion for helping others. Years later, she would return to that very same school—this time, as a colleague. 

Tia earned her Master of Social Work from University of Alaska Anchorage and recently passed her Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) exam in April 2025, officially completing her clinical hours. She’s particularly drawn to the versatility of social work, which offers opportunities to create change on every level—from individual counseling to broader systemic reform. While her academic focus was school social work, she continues to explore new modalities to expand her therapeutic approach. 

Throughout her six-year educational journey, Tia received both the Basic and Competitive Scholarships from the Doyon Foundation, which helped minimize student loan debt and allowed her to focus fully on her studies. She credits mentors like NaTosha Malone, who encouraged her to pursue her LCSW, for providing guidance during the more challenging seasons of her education. “Asking for help was a game-changer,” she reflects. “I found direction by simply being curious and learning from others.” 

Outside of her professional work, Tia co-leads the Sources of Strength program—a youth suicide prevention initiative grounded in resilience and connection. She’s also an avid kayaker, hiker, backpacker, music-lover, and traveler, often accompanied by her beloved cats.