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 in Psychology from Tougaloo College as well as a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration and Supervision with an emphasis in Higher Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. For approximately 27 years, Dr. Burke has served as both an educator and practitioner in Student Affairs and Higher Education, building on earlier professional experience in the field of mental health.

Her research interests include college student development, professional development, helping and coping skills, and issues related to inclusion, belonging, and societal issues. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and contributed chapters to multiple books. Dr. Burke is the lead author of 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 of Mindful Strategies for Helping College Students Manage Stress: A Guide for Higher Education Professionals. In addition, Dr. Burke has served as co-editor for several works, including No Ways Tired: The Journey for Professionals of Color in Student Affairs (a three-volume series), Contemporary Issues within Caribbean Economies, and Culturally Responsive Leadership for Social Justice and Academic Equity for All. She has delivered more than 175 presentations and workshops at international, national, regional, state, and local conferences.

Dr. Burke has also served on the editorial boards of professional journals as a co-editor, associate editor, and reviewer. She has also supervised numerous research theses, dissertations, and independent research projects. She currently serves as the Faculty Fellow for Engagement and Opportunities in the Office of the Provost at Western Kentucky University and as a member of the Kentucky Faculty Advisory Network for the Council for Postsecondary Education (CPE) in Kentucky. In addition, she served as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Community of Practice Fellow with the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) and contributes to the facilitation of both the ONEWKU Teaching Academy and the Staff Academy. Dr. Burke is also a Global Labor Organization (GLO) Fellow.

Dr. Burke has been recognized for her dedication to preparing graduate students for careers in student affairs, advancing diversity and inclusion in higher education, and fostering collaboration with both colleagues and students. Her contributions have earned her numerous awards from student organizations, Western Kentucky University, professional associations, and the Bowling Green community. These honors include awards for advising, research, and teaching excellence within the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences; the Faculty Mentoring Award at WKU; the WKU President’s Award for Diversity; the Bowling Green Human Rights Commission’s Woman of Achievement Award in the field of College Education; and the Bobby E. Leach award, the H. Howard Davis award, Melvene Draheim Hardee award from the Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA), amongst others. She has also received the University’s Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching (WKU) and has been inducted into the Kentucky Hall of Fame by the College Personnel Association of Kentucky, a state division of ACPA. Dr. Burke remains deeply committed to service at both the campus and community levels.