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The University of Saint Joseph is proud to honor three esteemed alumni whose meaningful contributions have enriched the University, their communities, and beyond.
This year’s recipients are Kelly Smith Papa, M’06 (left) Erin Benham ’80 (middle), and Joan Gallagher ’90, ’16 (right).
The Sister Mary DeLourdes Kenny Award
Erin Benham ’80
Erin Benham ’80 is a lifelong educator and advocate for equity in public education who dedicated nearly four decades to serving students and families in Connecticut. She retired from Meriden Public Schools in 2019 after a distinguished career that began in 1980, during which she worked to ensure that every student had the support and resources needed to succeed.
Benham earned a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from Saint Joseph College in 1980. She later completed a Master of Science in Community Health, a Sixth Year Certificate in Educational Leadership, and a Middle School Endorsement from Southern Connecticut State University. Her academic preparation and professional experience helped shape her commitment to advancing educational opportunities, equity, and social justice.
Throughout her career, Benham demonstrated a deep dedication to supporting vulnerable students. While teaching in Meriden, she helped develop programs to support students, ensuring their needs were recognized so they could continue to thrive in school.
Today, Benham continues her service to public education as vice chair of the Connecticut State Board of Education. She has chaired several committees, focusing on issues such as educational equity, fair distribution of resources, and chronic absenteeism. Benham represents Connecticut at the National Association of State Boards of Education as the Northeastern area director and as a board member for the State Education Resource Center.
Beyond her work in education policy, Benham remains deeply engaged in community service. She is a founding member of The Sisters’ Project, a nonprofit organization that supports individuals undergoing cancer treatment and their families; a volunteer at the Wallingford Historic Preservation Trust; and has served on the boards of the Connecticut RISE Network and Connecticut Fund for Teachers.
Through her leadership in education and dedication to service, Benham exemplifies the University of Saint Joseph’s values of academic excellence and compassionate service.
The Nightingale Health Science Award
Joan Gallagher ’90, ’16
Joan Gallagher ’90,’16 has dedicated her career to serving others through compassionate nursing care, social work, and community service. She currently serves as a registered nurse at the Institute of Living, part of Hartford HealthCare, where she cares for patients facing psychiatric issues.
Gallagher earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Saint Joseph College in 1990 and later returned to complete a second bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Her education helped shape a lifelong commitment to caring for individuals facing illness, hardship, and vulnerability.
In 1990, Gallagher joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, a service organization founded on the principles of social justice, living in community, simple lifestyle, and spirituality. She served in New Orleans, working with individuals and families affected by AIDS and poverty.
Upon her return to Connecticut, she worked at Peter’s Retreat, providing housing and hospice care for people with AIDS. She then worked at Mercy Housing and Shelter, where she managed several supportive housing programs for individuals experiencing homelessness.
After earning her Nursing degree from then-Saint Joseph’s College, Gallagher worked at Hartford Hospital. She managed a COVID-19 unit at the hospital in 2020 and 2021, demonstrating leadership and compassion for both patients and colleagues during an extraordinarily challenging time.
In addition to her professional work, Gallagher remains deeply committed to service in the Hartford community. She has volunteered with several youth and community organizations, such as the Mayor Mike Peters Little League and Saturday Hoopsters.
Gallagher’s lifelong commitment to underserved communities reflects the University of Saint Joseph’s mission of instilling strong ethical values and responsibility to the needs of society.
The Sister Mary Rosa McDonough Award
Kelly Smith Papa, M’06
Kelly Smith Papa, M’06 is president and CEO of Duncaster, a nonprofit Life Plan Community in Bloomfield, Connecticut, that provides independent and assisted living, rehabilitation, memory care, and skilled nursing services for older adults. With more than 25 years of clinical and executive leadership experience in aging services, Papa is widely recognized for her work in advancing person-centered care, leadership development, and innovation in long-term care.
Papa earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Saint Joseph and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint Anselm College. Her academic training and professional experience have shaped her commitment to compassionate leadership in care for older adults and their families.
Prior to becoming president and CEO in 2021, Papa served as vice president of Strategy and Community Life at Duncaster and previously held leadership roles in education, consulting, and clinical practice in the field of aging services. Throughout her career she has worked to strengthen organizations through leadership development, staff education, and innovative models of dementia and long-term care.
A respected voice in the field, Papa is a national consultant on dementia care and leadership development programs. She has researched, published, and presented at numerous national conferences on topics including building learning organizations, creativity in staff development, person centered care, and leading organizational change. She is also the author of several books on nursing leadership and long-term care, including Effective Nurse Leadership: Transforming Long Term Care.
Papa’s professional and community engagement reflects a strong commitment to advancing the nursing profession and supporting the well-being of older adults. Through her leadership, scholarship, and service, she continues to contribute to conversations around innovation, workforce development, and quality care in aging services. Her work reflects a deep dedication to compassionate care, and a commitment to dignity and respect for all.
