The University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work is proud to announce that Dr. Saltanat Childress has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Early Career Faculty Service and Leadership in Social Work Education Award.
The national award recognizes a social work educator with fewer than 10 years of service whose leadership, mentorship, innovation and commitment to service have significantly advanced social work education at the local, national and global levels.
For Childress, the recognition is both an honor and an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the communities and causes that inspire her work.
“I was tremendously happy, excited and honored,” Childress said. “The award is highly competitive, so receiving it was both humbling and validating. Beyond the personal honor, I was especially pleased because awards like this help bring greater visibility to the populations I’m working with.”
Dr. Saltanat Childress poses for a photo. (Courtesy Photo)
Much of Childress’ research focuses on the prevention of interpersonal violence and adverse childhood experiences, with a focus on populations in low- and middle-income countries and immigrants and refugees from Former Soviet Union and Middle East and North African regions in the U.S. She hopes the award will draw attention to the challenges facing vulnerable populations and the importance of research-informed solutions.
“I definitely see my work informing the public and future interventions that can help these communities,” she said. “Particularly adolescents and children who are trying to navigate multiple cultures while supporting their families and maintaining connections to their heritage.”
Childress also credits UTA for helping her grow as a scholar, educator, and mentor.
“Organizationally, it highlights the outstanding work being done at UTA and reflects the supportive environment that has allowed me to grow,” she said.
A hallmark of Childress’ career has been her commitment to mentoring students and emerging scholars. She has guided graduate students who have gone on to earn major awards and faculty appointments while also developing innovative educational experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world practice.
“One of the aspects of my work that I’m most passionate about is mentoring and supporting the next generation of social work scholars and practitioners,” Childress said. “There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing students develop confidence, discover their professional paths and begin making their own contributions to the field. One of the most recent examples is Nibedita Shrestha, a doctoral student I mentored who was recognized as UTA's Distinguished Graduate Student Employee of the Year and recently accepted a tenure-track faculty position at Valparaiso University. Seeing students achieve these milestones and begin shaping the profession themselves is incredibly meaningful.”
That commitment to mentorship was shaped by mentors of her own. Childress emphasized the importance of the colleagues and faculty members who supported her throughout her career and nominated her for the award.
“It is validating because these are people who know my work and believe in me,” she said. “Now I want to pay that forward and continue supporting junior faculty and future scholars.”
In addition to mentoring, Childress serves in leadership roles within national professional organizations, contributes to scholarly journals and collaborates on initiatives that strengthen social work education and violence prevention efforts. Her work extends beyond the classroom, helping to build knowledge and resources that benefit communities both in the United States and internationally.
Looking ahead, Childress views the award not as a culmination, but as motivation to continue expanding her impact through research and mentorship.
“This award is extremely motivating,” she said. “It affirms that the work I’ve been doing in teaching, mentorship, service, and research is making a meaningful contribution, and it inspires me to continue building on that foundation.”
For students and emerging professionals, Childress offers a simple message: social work provides countless opportunities to create meaningful change.
“Find the area that connects with your values, experiences, and interests,” she said. “Your lived experiences, community connections and personal perspectives are valuable assets. Some of the most meaningful and impactful work comes from people who use those experiences to identify unmet needs and create positive change.”
Childress will be formally recognized at the 72nd Annual CSWE Conference in Atlanta this October, where social work educators from across the country will gather to celebrate excellence in teaching, leadership and service. Her recognition reflects not only her accomplishments, but also the UTA School of Social Work’s commitment to preparing future leaders who make a lasting impact in their communities and beyond.