Malia Nix

• Soul Shop Intern | 2023 - 2024 and Trainer

Malia Nix is a graduate student at Texas A&M University – Commerce who will graduate in 2024 with her Masters of Social Work. Malia emerged from the pandemic on a quest to change careers and felt called to get a degree in social work and give back in a focused way.

After her nephew died from suicide in the spring 2023, she experienced firsthand what it felt like to be sitting in church and feel completely alone as though no one could understand what she or her family was going through. Even the ministers in her family struggled because they were experiencing the loss themselves. At her nephew’s service her brother prayed, “Let our misery become a ministry,” and it is her quest to live out that prayer with Soul Shop.

With an Education degree from Baylor University, Malia spent a decade as a national trainer, curriculum writer and personal sales coach for a large financial services company. In her next life chapter she balanced full time motherhood and serving in leadership of various volunteer organizations. Upon re-entering full time employment, she worked for Dallas Independent School District in Volunteer Engagement and District Partnerships.  Under her leadership the district volunteer program grew from 10,000 volunteers to over 31,500. Malia authored the district’s policy for processing background checks for volunteers, which increases safety for students and staff. The policy is still in use today.  She continued the work of volunteer engagement statewide while working with Volunteer Now. She has been a speaker on volunteer engagement at various state and national conferences.

Growing up in East Texas, church has always been a staple of Malia’s life.  Malia’s grandfather and two uncles are preachers, her father is a deacon and Malia has served in children’s ministries for over 15 years.

Malia currently lives in her hometown of Tyler, Texas where she enjoys gardening and cooking. Her most requested recipes are her posole stew and sausage balls (not typically served together).