Advocating for Women
Pride of PNW: Shreya Bhandari
Shreya Bhandari, professor of Social Work, is an educator, researcher and clinically licensed social work practitioner. Her dedication to education, research and community enrichment spans continents and cultures.
Bhandari serves as the director of PNW’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program. She fosters a dynamic learning environment ensuring students gain the knowledge and skills required to engage, enrich and advocate for the communities in Northwest Indiana and beyond. Committed to advancing the field and empowering future generations of social workers, Bhandari is collaborating with fellow faculty members to spearhead the launch of the MSW program in fall 2025.
A leading authority on violence against women, Bhandari advocates for a culturally sensitive response to domestic violence and mental health issues. The majority of her research over the past decade focuses on the patterns of abuse and coping strategies among South Asian women in the U.S. Her most recent work, “South Asians in the U.S.: A guide for social workers and other helping professionals” was published in 2022 by NASW Press and provides a resource for professionals on the various issues that affect the South Asian experience in the U.S.
Underscoring her commitment to mentorship and collaboration, Bhandari, along with colleagues from the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (CHESS), received a grant to develop a faculty mentoring program. The initiative, Success of New Faculty Through Collaborative Mentoring, recognizes the important role of a supportive academic environment and looks to foster professional growth and development for new faculty members.
Bhandari’s journey in social work began in Mumbai, India, where she worked in a hospital-based crisis center providing support to women facing domestic violence. Today, in addition to her role at PNW, she runs Tasalli Counseling, a private practice specializing in mental health therapy tailored to individuals of South Asian origin.
I am most excited about building the Master of Social Work (MSW) program here at PNW with a team of stellar and committed faculty. I also look forward to continuing my research agenda on domestic violence in the South Asian community.
Shreya Bhandari, MSW Program Director & Professor of Social Work
What mentor inspired you in your career?
The mentor who inspired me the most is Dr. Linda Bullock, professor emerita, Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri. I worked on several of her research grants as a research assistant and then as a post-doctoral fellow while at the University of Missouri. She taught me a lot about the world of research and academia in general.
What project has you most excited to come to PNW each day?
I am most excited about building the Master of Social Work (MSW) program here at PNW with a team of stellar and committed faculty. I also look forward to continuing my research agenda on domestic violence in the South Asian community.
What do you like to do outside the office?
I enjoy binge watching television shows on streaming services, going for walks, working out in the gym and playing board games with my family.
The Pride of PNW series highlights Purdue Northwest researchers, scientists and practitioners from around the world who are driving change in their fields.