Alumni Spotlight: Lindsay Malhotra
Why did you choose to attend UTA and study social work?
I grew up in a small town in South Texas, Poteet. There weren’t many resources, not many opportunities, and I always had this feeling that something bigger was waiting for me. I also grew up in a home without many healthy dynamics, and I knew deep down that I wanted to help people who faced similar challenges. One day, I met a woman named Kim Clawson. I remember seeing her walking with a family at my school, and I asked her what she did. She smiled and said, “I’m a social worker.” When she explained what that meant, my heart lit up. I thought, that’s it… that’s exactly what I want to be. From that moment, I researched social work and quickly discovered that UTA was one of the top schools. I applied, got accepted, and packed my bags. That was the beginning of my journey.
What was your experience like as a student at UTA?
It was honestly life-changing. I still remember moving into Arlington Hall as a nervous freshman but luckily, I had my identical twin sister, Leslie, right by my side. From that first day, UTA felt like home. The diversity, the friendships, the professors who cared it was everything I hoped college would be. I joined clubs, intramurals, social groups, and quickly learned that UTA wasn’t just a campus. It was a community that embraced me. Even now, when I talk to my students, I share my UTA story because I want them to feel that same belonging. The School of Social Work was big, yet somehow felt small, like a family. We supported each other, and that connection still inspires me today.
Tell us about your current role and organization.
I am the Director of Outpatient Services at Nexus Family Recovery Center in East Dallas. Nexus has been saving lives since 1971 and is one of the few places in Texas where women can bring their children into treatment with them. That makes it so special. At Nexus, I oversee therapists, clinicians, and recovery coaches. I build and run programs, manage grants, and walk alongside clients every single day. Beyond Nexus, I also own Cornerstone Counseling Center in Dallas and Plano. In my private practice, I work with women, families, adolescents, and individuals navigating recovery, self-esteem, and life transitions. For me, it’s not just work, it’s a calling.
Lindsay Malhotra poses for a photo after graduating from the UTA School of Social Work. (Courtesy Photo)
What aspects of your social work degree have been most valuable in preparing you for your career?
The biggest lesson: community is everything. UTA taught me how to network, how to advocate, and how to be a resource broker. Those skills became my foundation. But more than that, UTA instilled in me the courage to connect with people and communities to step in and say, we can do this together
Is there a particular theory or practice that inspires your work today?
I naturally lean toward family systems and solution-focused work. I believe in sitting down and asking, How do we get to safety? How do we resolve this? How do we move forward? Whether it’s an individual, a family, or a community — I’m always looking for pathways to healing.
What achievement are you most proud of?
Without a doubt: Sober Mom Squad.
What started as just an idea has grown into something powerful. We created a group for pregnant women, postpartum mothers, and women in recovery with their children. Over the years, we’ve built community through life skills classes, field trips, bowling nights, ice skating, outdoor adventures, and guest speakers. It’s more than a program it’s a sisterhood. Other social workers from across Texas now reach out asking how to connect their clients to Sober Mom Squad. Seeing these mothers find community, joy, and hope in recovery that’s something I will always be proud of.
What advice would you give the next generation of social workers?
Build your own board of directors. Surround yourself with mentors, leaders, and guides who will support you as you grow. This field is not easy but when you have people wrapping around you, it changes everything. Find a mentor. Step into advocacy. Don’t just study social work live it. Be brave, be present, and don’t be afraid to jump in. The world needs you.
As a UTA alum, how does it feel to return as an adjunct professor?
It’s a full-circle blessing. When I tell my students that I’m a UTA alum who lived on campus, met my husband here, and built lifelong friendships here, their eyes light up. They realize: she gets it. Teaching at UTA doesn’t feel like work. It feels like giving back to the place that gave me so much. Every time I step into the classroom, I feel gratitude. It’s my way of saying thank you.
How has your Hispanic heritage influenced your journey as a social worker and leader?
Being Latina in social work is powerful and sometimes rare. My heritage grounds me. It has given me resilience, a relentless work ethic, and a strong voice to empower others. I carry my culture with pride into every role I hold. My goal is to open doors not just to resources, but to the actual tools that help people use those resources and build lasting change. I’m proud to be Latina. I’m proud to be a social worker. And I’m proud to use both to lift others higher.