UTA Staff Member No Longer Employed After Hidden Camera Video

Video shows recruiter discussing DEI requirements for social work programs

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:34pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting with overlapping geometric shapes and lines in shades of blue, grey, and red, conceptually representing the disruption and debate around diversity and inclusion policies at universities.A hidden camera video has led to the departure of a UTA staff member, exposing tensions over diversity and inclusion initiatives in higher education.Fort Worth Today

A University of Texas at Arlington staff member is no longer employed by the university after a hidden camera video circulated in which she discussed diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within social work academic programs with an unknown individual posing as a prospective student. The video was published by the conservative activism organization Accuracy in Media.

Why it matters

This incident highlights ongoing tensions around DEI initiatives at public universities in Texas, where state laws and policies have restricted what professors can teach related to race, gender and other controversial topics. The video has prompted an investigation by the Texas Attorney General into another university's social work program.

The details

In the video, the unknown person secretly filming asks the former UTA social work academic recruiter Melissa Cruz if professors 'still hit on topics that would be around DEI, they just don't use those words that would get them in trouble?' Cruz replies, 'Right.' She also says UTA's social work program must abide by accreditation requirements from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which include teaching 'anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice.' UTA stated the employee's statements 'do not represent university policy or practice' and that she is 'no longer employed by the university'.

  • The video was published by Accuracy in Media on April 16, 2026.
  • Last week, the Texas Attorney General announced an investigation into the University of North Texas after a similar undercover video was published.

The players

Melissa Cruz

Former social work academic recruiter at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Ken Paxton

Texas Attorney General who announced an investigation into the University of North Texas after a similar undercover video was published.

Brandon Creighton

Texas State Senator who wrote Senate Bill 17, which prohibits public colleges and universities in Texas from having DEI offices or engaging in DEI initiatives.

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

The accrediting body for social work programs, which requires students to be taught 'anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice'.

Accuracy in Media

A conservative activism organization that uses undercover actors with hidden cameras to expose 'radical ideology'.

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What they’re saying

“Right.”

— Melissa Cruz, Former social work academic recruiter at the University of Texas at Arlington

“We still have to cover the content, obviously, because it's a huge part of what we do.”

— Melissa Cruz, Former social work academic recruiter at the University of Texas at Arlington

What’s next

The Texas Attorney General's investigation into the University of North Texas is ongoing, and it remains to be seen if a similar investigation will be launched into the University of Texas at Arlington.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and political battles over diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at public universities in Texas, where state laws and policies have sought to restrict what professors can teach on these topics. The use of hidden camera tactics by conservative groups to target university staff has raised concerns about academic freedom and the chilling effect on open discussions of important social issues.