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Psychology professor recognized for work mentoring students

Dr. Amber DeBono, assistant professor of psychology at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), has received national recognition for her work mentoring young women of color.

DeBono is the recipient of the inaugural Karla Holloway Mentoring Award, which honors educators who mentor women and girls of color during the early stages of development as scholars and researchers.

Since DeBono arrived at WSSU in 2011, she has mentored over 20 undergraduates, matching students with graduate mentors, taking them to present at conferences, helping them to get published in research journals, and hiring them as research assistants in her lab. Several of the students have gone on to psychology graduate programs.

DeBono credits her award and much of her success as a mentor to her colleagues in WSSU’s Psychological Sciences Department

“I see this award as an acknowledgement of our entire department’s efforts at nurturing students to lead successful post-graduate lives,” DeBono says. “My colleagues are excellent teachers who do a tremendous job preparing our students so that they can excel as research assistants in my lab.”

The award, named for a retired Duke University professor, is through the Collaborative to Advance Equity Through Research, a coalition of 50 U.S. institutions that focuses on improving research addressing the lives of women and girls of color. Debono’s award was announced during a conference call on May 3.

A bold past. A brilliant future.

For 125 years, Winston-Salem State University has fostered the creative thinking, analytical problem-solving, and depth of character needed to transform the world. Rooted in liberal education, WSSU’s curriculum prepares students to be thought leaders who have the skills and knowledge needed to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. WSSU is a historically Black constituent institution of the University of North Carolina with a rich tradition of contributing to the social, cultural, intellectual, and economic growth of North Carolina, the region and beyond. Guided by the motto, “Enter to Learn. Depart to Serve,” WSSU develops leaders who advance social justice by serving the world with compassion and commitment. Join us in celebrating our 125th anniversary with events throughout 2017. Learn more at the 125th Anniversary website.

About the Collaborative to Advance Equity Through Research

The Collaborative to Advance Equity Through Research is a national coalition of institutions in the United States committed to taking meaningful action to support and improve research addressing the lives of women and girls of color. Collaborative members make commitments to and invest resources in research at their own institution for a minimum of five years, and work collaboratively with other members to build new connections, share promising practices, and support the advancement of research addressing the lives of women and girls of color.
Dr. Amber Debono

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