Farris Thomas, the New Braunfels Youth Collaborative Wellness Director, has been named the 2026 NASW Texas Social Work Student of the Year by the Texas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

The award recognizes a student member enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate social work program who has made an outstanding contribution to the goals and mission of the social work profession.

Recipients demonstrate emerging leadership, a commitment to social justice, dedication to clients and the profession, and the ability to integrate social work knowledge, skills, attitudes and values into their work.