Makeba Parramore Wilbourn named Advisor of the Year

Makeba Parramore Wilbourn, Associate Professor of the Practice of Psychology and Neuroscience, has received Duke's Advisor of the Year Award.

Academic Advising at Duke has upwards of 300 volunteer advisors working with first and second year students. Each year, based on feedback provided by students’ major declaration survey, advisees share their experiences working with advisors. Based on the student survey feedback two Advisors of the Year are selected: one faculty member and one staff member. The award announcement was made at the 2021 advising convocation.

“Thank you for this incredible honor!" Wilbourn shared. "I’m overwhelmed, humbled, and speechless."

Below is a selection of student reflections provided by Wilbourn’s advisees:

I would’ve been lost without her…she helped me choose classes that really helped me grow and learn what I wanted to do. She gave me advice and explained things to me in ways I had never thought of before. She really helped me come to terms with my identity and who I am, and that itself is something so valuable to me, I could never be grateful enough for that. Words she said to me my first semester freshman year I can still remember so clearly, her impact on my life is unmeasurable.

I always appreciate the time that Dr. Wilbourn took to make sure that I was always doing okay, both with my physical and mental health. I always knew that I had a faculty member that cared about me and knew me for who I was outside of my academics, which I know not all students experience.

She’s the most incredible human being and goes above and beyond to help however she can. All her advisees are very lucky to have someone as caring as her.

A plaque will be gifted to Wilbourn to recognize the honor and thank her for her support of and service to students.  

Wilbourn’s colleague Sarah Gaither, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, had these words to share about the recognition:

Dr. Wilbourn simply makes our department at Duke a better place. The love and energy she pours into her students and her work is unmatched by anyone else. There is a reason why students line up at her office door – she is selfless and incredible.