DeBono earns UNC Board of Governor’s Teaching Award
Amber DeBono, Ph.D, an associate professor of psychology at Winston-Salem State University, has been honored by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors as a recipient of the 2022 Awards for Excellence in Teaching.
DeBono was one of 17 faculty members from across North Carolina to be recognized with the Award for Excellence in Teaching. The recipients represent all 16 of North Carolina’s public universities and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics.
“Receiving this award is an incredible honor. I’m grateful to the WSSU Awards Committee and the UNC board of governors for noticing my work with our students – nurturing them into scientists who love studying psychology, getting them to enjoy, or at least appreciate, research, and watching them go off to graduate school so that they can depart to serve their community,” said DeBono.
Established by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors in 1993 to highlight the importance of teaching, the awards recognize the extraordinary contributions of faculty members system wide.
“It is very fitting that Dr. DeBono received the award because she has made extraordinary contributions to Winston-Salem State University, shepherding students through their classes and their college careers,” said Dr. Elwood Robinson, chancellor of Winston-Salem State University. “We are proud of Dr. DeBono and how her passionate teaching and student engagement is creating the next generation of behavioral scientists.”
DeBono said at the core, her teaching philosophy is to always utilize the best and most effective teaching practices. Her teaching strategy incorporates hands-on activities to foster active learning, a focus on student-centered learning applying course content to students’ experience of the world, and mentoring students to prepare them for careers and graduate school.
DeBono came to WSSU in 2011 as an assistant professor of psychology at and in 2017 was elevated to her current position as an associate professor of psychology. She received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Arizona, a master’s in general psychology from Hunter College and received a Ph.D. social-personality psychology from University at Albany, State University of New York.
The recipients were nominated by special committees at each institution and selected by the Board of Governors Committee on Educational Planning, Policies, and Programs.
Each of the winners will receive a commemorative bronze medallion and a $12,500 cash prize.
