UTA social work professor earns national award
Saltanat Childress, an assistant professor in The University of Texas at Arlington's School of Social Work, has received the 2026 Council on Social Work Education Early Career Faculty Service and Leadership in Social Work Education Award.
The national award recognizes social work educators 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.
Dr. Childress said receiving the award was both an honor and an opportunity to draw greater attention to the communities that have shaped her research.
"I was tremendously happy, excited and honored," she 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."
Much of Childress' research focuses on preventing interpersonal violence and adverse childhood experiences, with an emphasis on populations in low- and middle-income countries and immigrants and refugees from the former Soviet Union and Middle East and North African regions living in the United States. She said she hopes the award will draw attention to the challenges facing vulnerable populations and the importance of research-informed solutions.
"Organizationally, it highlights the outstanding work being done at UTA and reflects the supportive environment that has allowed me to grow," Childress said.
In addition to her research, Childress is also being recognized for mentoring graduate students and emerging scholars. Several of her mentees have earned major awards and faculty appointments, including doctoral student Nibedita Shrestha, who was recognized as UT Arlington's Distinguished Graduate Student Employee of the Year and recently accepted a tenure-track faculty position at Valparaiso University.
"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."
Childress also 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 said the award motivates her to continue expanding her impact through research and mentorship.
"This award is extremely motivating," Childress 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 encourages pursuing work that aligns with their values, experiences and interests.
"Find the area that connects with your values, experiences and interests," she said. "Your lived experiences, community connections and personal perspectives are valuable assets."
Childress will be formally recognized at the 72nd Annual Council on Social Work Education Conference in Atlanta this October, where social work educators from across the country will gather to celebrate excellence in teaching, leadership and service.
Written by Thomas Johns, School of Social Work
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 300,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.