Vincent Villella
![Vincent Villella](/academics/college-of-health/departments/acrhhw/_images/Villella_Vincent.jpg)
Northwest AHEC
Hosted by Norton Sound Health Corporation (NSHC)
907-434-3281
vpvillella@nshcorp.org
https://nwalaskaahec.org/
Education
Bachelor's Degree: Secondary Education, Biology
Masters Degree: Social and Comparative Analysis in Education
M.Ed. from the University of Pittsburgh
Biography
My passion for health education started during my service as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya ’12 -’14 where I specialized in health education and HIV/AIDS outreach. After my service I moved to Quinhagak, AK where I taught a wonderful group of students for two years. I also coached wrestling and archery. While earning my M.Ed. from the University of Pittsburgh, I was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in ’17 to develop cross-cultural curriculum between Ethiopia and the USA and make this available to educators globally.
After receiving my master’s degree my wife and I moved to Baton Rouge, LA for two years for her to finish her Teacher Certificate Program. In Louisiana I taught, and led the science department at a low SES, urban middle school. After my wife finished her program, we decided the best place for us to start a family was in Alaska and we promptly moved to Nome.
As the Northwest AHEC Director at Norton Sound Health Corporation I work to help Alaskans have better access to health education and to support individuals who want to enter or further their health care careers. I believe that health care education has the power to change the world, as AHEC director my goal is to support that change in Alaska.
Research Interests
Education, Mentorship, Social Determinants of Health, Career Development, and Building research opportunities in NW AK.