Stevens-Watkins receives alma mater’s highest honor

Danelle Stevens-Watkins, Ph.D., a licensed health service psychologist and professor of counseling psychology in the University of Kentucky College of Education, has been named the 2026 recipient of Spalding University’s highest honor, the Caritas Medal.

The award recognizes individuals whose lives and work reflect Spalding’s commitment to service, compassion and leadership and its mission of “meeting the needs of the time."

For Stevens-Watkins, the recognition from her alma mater marks another milestone in a career devoted to research and creating opportunities for others. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on the support she received as a student and how she is paying it forward.

“During my educational journey, there were several faculty members at both Spalding and UK that left a lasting influence on me,” she said. “They were authentic, supportive and showed the value of genuinely caring. That is an experience I bring into my own mentorship of students today."

Stevens-Watkins earned her M.A. in clinical psychology at Spalding in 2004 and her Ph.D. from UK in 2008. She then became an assistant professor at Spalding from 2009 to 2013 before returning to UK as a faculty member.

While at Spalding, she received her first National Institutes of Health-funded career development award as principal investigator. This achievement helped launch the research career she would continue building at UK, where she has authored more than 90 peer-reviewed publications and secured more than $11.8 million as principal investigator and $99 million as co-investigator for research funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Institute on Child Health and Human Development, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute for General Medical Sciences.

“Dr. Stevens-Watkins’ work is a powerful example of the impact our faculty can have when they put their knowledge in service to others,” said UK College of Education Dean Nick Pace, Ed.D. “We are incredibly proud to see her recognized with this well-deserved honor from her alma mater. It is inspiring to hear Dr. Stevens-Wakins describe how others influenced her path in the very same way she is doing now."

In addition to her faculty position in the UK College of Education Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, she is a core faculty member of the Center for Health Engagement and Transformation and a faculty affiliate of the Center for Drug and Alcohol Research. As a campus leader, Stevens-Watkins has served as an associate vice president for research and was acting dean of the UK College of Education. Recently, she was honored as a 2026-27 University Research Professor.

As a researcher, Stevens-Watkins’ personal and clinical experiences working as a licensed psychologist and as a certified lactation counselor are what inspire her.

“My research seeks to equip individuals with the tools and resources needed to overcome health-related challenges and thrive,” she said. “Like so many others, I have witnessed the devastating impact of drug use within families. And when I became a first-time mother, I experienced a need for lactation support that was not readily available. Knowing how science can be utilized to help mitigate poor health outcomes has been the driving force behind my passion for research."

While her career has included significant accomplishments in research and higher education leadership, Stevens-Watkins said the legacy she hopes to leave extends beyond those achievements.

“At this stage in my career, I am focused on paving the way for others coming behind me by creating opportunities and investing in the success of others,” Stevens-Watkins said.

Stevens-Watkins’ focus on students includes serving as a primary advisor for 18 doctoral graduates and she has been recognized for excellence in research, teaching and mentoring by the Kentucky Psychological Association.

As a native Kentuckian, Stevens-Watkins is passionate about leveraging her knowledge as a clinical scientist to improve the health and lives of citizens of the Commonwealth, as well as pay forward the mentorship she’s received.

"I want to pursue research that can make a meaningful and lasting difference in people’s lives,” she said. “For me, that’s what makes the work worthwhile.”