Prior to coming to Ohio Dominican, Ukockis was a graduate teaching assistant for Colorado State University's History Department, the University of Connecticut's History Department, and The Ohio State University's College of Social Work. In 2003 Ukockis was named "Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year" by OSU's College of Social Work.

Ukockis earned bachelor's and master's degrees in History from Colorado State University, and a master's degree in Social Work from OSU. She is a candidate in Ohio State's doctoral program in the College of Social Work.

She has been involved in numerous community service projects, including volunteering for the Columbus AIDS Task Force.