Dr. Traneika Turner-Wentt: Inspiring Students to Bloom Where They’re Planted
The University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work emphasizes leadership, service, and the importance of guiding students as they begin their academic and professional journeys. Among the esteemed faculty is Dr. Traneika Turner-Wentt, assistant professor of practice and licensed clinical social worker, who is known for her authenticity, resilience, and ability to inspire students to grow with confidence. Her career journey reflects a deep commitment to empowering students to recognize their potential and thrive in every environment.
From an early age, Dr. Turner-Wentt envisioned herself in the field of mental health. “I can remember being a young child and wanting to be a child psychiatrist,” she said. That vision expanded when a high school English teacher introduced her to her close friend who worked with children and families in the court system. After shadowing the family court social worker, Turner-Wentt said “my paradigm shifted.”
Dr. Traneika Turner-Wentt at the 2025 Center for Research, Teaching, and Learning Excellence CRTLE Faculty Showcase. (Courtesy Photo)
Any obstacle she faced became a steppingstone toward her purpose. Initially aligned with her father’s suggestion, she entered the world of computer science, but quickly realized her passion lay elsewhere. “I knew I wanted to work with people, not programs,” she explains. “Changing my major was the moment I gave myself permission to pursue the work I was truly called to do. And to this day, he supports me wholeheartedly.”
That decision opened the door to positions marked by service and leadership, from her early clinical experiences at a child and family guidance center in Dallas and Spelman College in Atlanta to leadership in healthcare and direct clinical practice, these experiences strengthened her confidence and commitment to mental wellness. Her philosophy remains steadfast: if someone has done it before, surely it can be done again. And if no one has done it before, then be the one to demonstrate that it can be done.”
Central to her teaching and mentoring is the guiding principle: bloom where you’re planted. She acknowledges that each student has a unique ecosystem and emphasizes the importance of support. Dr. Turner-Wentt reminds students that growth is possible in every setting, even in unexpected or challenging circumstances. “No one accomplishes anything great alone. If you don’t have support naturally in your environment, go look for it. There’s a resource page at the end of every syllabus. Someone has thought about the support that you may need and built it into the environment. Take advantage of it.”
For her, authenticity is not just a personal value it is central to success. “One of the greatest luxuries in life is the ability to be your authentic self,” she says. “Be proud of who you are, because being yourself will make a difference in the world.”
Through her teaching and mentorship, Dr. Turner-Wentt exemplifies the mission of the School of Social Work – empowering students to discover their strengths, pursue their goals, and flourish in every season of their journey. Her story serves as both a testament and an invitation – an affirmation that with authenticity, perseverance, and connection students can indeed bloom where they are planted.
Her current research contribution focuses on an intersectional analysis of rural-urban and racial disparities in access to family preservation services.