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Duke honors Trisha Dalapati for rehousing homeless Durham families
Dalapati received the Graduate and Professional Student Award for her work through WELLnest
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Pranavi Sharma - Sat, 09, May 2026
- 00:28 EDT
- 21
Trisha Dalapati receiving the Sullivan Award. / Duke University
Indian-origin student Trisha Dalapati, whose family roots trace to the Indian state of West Bengal, has received Duke University’s 2026 Sullivan Award for her leadership of WELLnest, a student-founded initiative supporting individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness.
Dalapati was honored alongside School of Medicine neurosurgeon Dr. David Hasan and undergraduate student Jasmin Riley during a recent ceremony hosted by the Duke Center for Community Engaged Scholarship and Duke Community Affairs.
The Sullivan Awards recognize individuals whose work reflects service, integrity and commitment to helping others. Established by the New York Southern Society, the award is named after Algernon Sydney Sullivan, a 19th-century lawyer, businessman and philanthropist. Duke University annually recognizes one graduating senior, one graduate or professional student, and one faculty or staff member through the awards, supported by the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation.
Dalapati received the Graduate and Professional Student Award for her work through WELLnest, which addresses gaps faced by people moving out of homelessness. According to Duke University, the initiative has supported nearly 80 households since its founding, mobilized more than 100 student volunteers and coordinated hundreds of furniture donations to help furnish apartments for families in need.
University officials said the program began with a question posed by Dalapati: “What is Durham missing?” The initiative later developed into what the university described as a student-led community care model focused on creating stable living environments for residents.
During the ceremony, Dalapati spoke about WELLnest’s development from a student idea into a continuing campus organization. She highlighted the role of relationships with neighbors, mentors and fellow students in sustaining the effort. She also discussed the link between housing and health, and the importance of collective support in strengthening communities.
“At a place like Duke, we are surrounded by incredible academic and professional achievements every single day,” said Carrissa Dixon, senior director of the Duke Center for Community-Engaged Scholarship. “But this award is different. It is not just based on a resume, CV, or a list of publications. Instead, it looks at the heart.”
Provost Alec Gallimore said the award recognizes people who have “distinguished themselves through their selflessness, service to others, and generosity of character.”
Vice President for Community Affairs Stelfanie Williams said the recipients demonstrated the university’s connection to the broader community.
“The individuals we are honoring today remind us that Duke is not an island,” Williams said. “We are part of a vibrant and resilient community with its own deep history and extraordinary leadership.”
Nominators for Dalapati said her work through WELLnest shows that creating a home extends beyond physical shelter and includes “connection, respect and care.”
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