Counseling and Student Affairs Staff

Dr. Monica Galloway Burke is a Professor in the Department of Counseling and Student Affairs at Western Kentucky University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Tougaloo College as well as a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Administration and Supervision with an emphasis in Higher Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. For approximately 26 years, she has been an educator and practitioner in Student Affairs and Higher Education with prior experience in the field of mental health. 

Dr. Burke’s research interests include college student development; professional development; helping and coping skills; and topics related to diversity and societal issues.  She has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles in scholarly journals and contributed chapters to various books. Furthermore, she served as the lead author for Helping Skills for Working with College Students: Applying Counseling Theory to Student Affairs Practice and Helping Students in Distress: A Faculty Guide. She is also a co-author for Mindful Strategies for Helping College Students Manage Stress: A Guide for Higher Education Professionals. Dr. Burke served as a co-editor for No Ways Tired: The Journey for Professionals of Color in Student Affairs (a three-set volume), Contemporary Issues within Caribbean Economies, and Culturally Responsive Leadership for Social Justice and Academic Equity for All. Additionally, Dr. Burke has conducted over 150 workshops and presentations at the international, national, regional, state, and local levels.

Dr. Burke has also served on the editorial boards of professional journals as a co-editor, associate editor, and reviewer as well as supervised numerous research theses, dissertations, and research projects. Dr. Burke served as a DEI Community of Practice Fellow for the Center for Innovation Teaching and Learning and is currently a DEI Fellow for the Office of the Provost at Western Kentucky University and a member of the Kentucky Faculty Advisory Network for the Council for Postsecondary Education in Kentucky. In addition, she is a Global Labor Organization (GLO) Fellow.

Dr. Burke has been recognized for her commitment to preparing graduate students for a career in student affairs; work to promote the field of student affairs and diversity in higher education; and collaboration with colleagues as well as students by receiving various awards from student groups, WKU, professional organizations, and the Bowling Green community such as awards for advising, research, and teaching excellence in the College of Education and Behavioral Science, the Faculty Mentoring Award at  WKU, the President’s Award for Diversity (WKU), Bowling Green Human Rights’ Commission Woman of Achievement in the field of College Education, the Melvene Draheim Hardee Award from the Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA), the University’s Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, and induction into the Kentucky Hall of Fame for the College Personnel Association of Kentucky (a state division of ACPA). Dr. Burke is also committed to service within the campus and local community.