Faculty Profiles

Ekren, E. M., Maleki, S., Curran, C. M., Watkins, C. L., & Villagran, M. M. (2025). Health differences between rural and non-rural Texas counties based on 2023 County Health Rankings. BMC Health Services Research, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12109-2

Adams, A., Mace, R. E., & Villagran, M. M. (n.d.). Disaster and recovery in the Guadalupe Valley Lakes Region of Central Texas. Texas Water Journal.

Ekren, E. M., Tomasso, M. E., & Villagran, M. M. (2024). Resilience as a Concept for Convergence Across Health, Systems, and Well-Being: An AI-Augmented Mapping of 50 Years of Resilience Research. Sustainability, 16(23). https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310333

Maleki, S., Dede-Bamfo, N., Ekren, E. M., Mohammadalizadehkorde, M., & Villagran, M. M. (2024). Mapping Access to Children’s Hospitals in Texas. Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(2), 140. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21020140

Eger, E. K., Long, R. A., Tonciu, A., Villagran, M. M., Jessica Schneider, & Trevino, B. N. F. (2023). Libraries as conveners to build community resiliency in rural Texas: A pilot project translating the COPEWELL framework through community collaboration. San Marcos, TX: Translational Health Research Center. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/TXResiliency

Villagran, M. M., & Keeley-Vassberg, M. (2022). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119678816.iehc0962

Villagran, M. M., & Keeley, M. P. (2022, December). Health Promotion Messages in Families. In International Encyclopedia of Health Communication.

Nicotera, A., Villagran, M. M., & Kim, W. (2021). Managing in hospitals. In Handbook of Management Communication (Vol. Cooren, F. & Stücheli-Herlach, P. (2021). Handbook of Management Communication. Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter Mouton., pp. 477–490). Boston, MA, US: Degruyter Mouton. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1515/9781501508059

Villagran, M. M. (2017). Translating Research to Reality: Team Science. Engaging Research (1st ed., Vol. 1). Retrieved from http://gato-docs.its.txstate.edu/jcr:5491dab0-03e6-4e20-a406-ed923bb4c80a/ORSP%20Newsletter%20Fall%202017.pdf

Villagran, M. M., MacArthur, B. L., Lee, L. E., Ledford CJW, & Canzona, M. R. (2017). Physicians’ Religious Topic Avoidance during Clinical Interactions. Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 7(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/bs7020030

MacArthur, B. L., Dailey, S. L., & Villagran, M. M. (2016). Understanding healthcare providers’ professional identification: The role of interprofessional communication in the vocational socialization of physicians. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, 5, 11–17. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xjep.2016.09.001

Canzona, M. R., Peterson, E. B., Villagran, M. M., & Seehusen, D. A. (2015). Constructing and Communicating Privacy Boundaries: How Family Medicine Physicians Manage Patient Requests for Religious Disclosure in the Clinical Interaction. Health Communication, 30(10), 1001–1012.

MacArthur, B. L., & Villagran, M. M. (2015). Instructor Misbehaviors as Digital Expectancy Violations What Students Despise and What They Let Slide. Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, 1077695814566046.

Villagran, M. M., Ledford, C. J., & Canzona, M. R. (2015). Women’s Health Identities in the Transition From Military Member to Service Veteran. Journal of Health Communication, 20(10), 1125–1132.

Villagran, M. M., & MacArthur, B. L. (2015). Quantitative Communication Research. In Textbook of Palliative Care Communication (p. 408). Oxford University Press, USA.

Ledford, C. J., Canzona, M. R., Seehusen, D. A., Cafferty, L. A., Schmidt, M. E., Huang, J. C., & Villagran, M. M. (2015). Differences in physician communication when patients ask versus tell about religion/spirituality: a pilot study. Family Medicine, 47(2), 138–142.

Villagran, M. M., & Baldwin, P. K. (2014). Healthcare team communication. In The Routledge Handbook of Language and Health Communication (p. 362). Routledge.

Villagran, M. M., & Weathers, M. R. (2014). Providers’ Perspectives on Health Communication: Influences, Processes, and Outcomes. Health Communication: Theory, Method, and Application, 87.

Kreps, G. L., Villagran, M. M., Trowbridge, J., & Baldwin, P. (2013). Evaluation of the influence of an urban community park revitalization on African-American youth physical activit. In M. Dutta & G. L. Kreps (Eds.), Communication and Health Disparities. New York: Peter Lang Publishers.

Ledford, C., Villagran, M. M., Seehusen, D. A., Cafferty, L., & Childress, M. (2013). Resident scholarship expectations and experiences:  Sources of uncertainty as barriers to success. Journal of Graduate Medical Education, 5, 564–589.

Villagran, M. M., Canzona, M. R., & Ledford, C. J. (2013). The milspouse battle rhythm: Communicating resilience throughout the deployment cycle. Health Communication, 28(8), 778–788.

Villagran, M. M., Hajek, C., Zhao, X., Peterson, E., & Wittenberg-Lyles, E. (2012). Communication and culture: Predictors of treatment adherence among Mexican immigrant patients. Journal of Health Psychology, 17(3), 443–452.

Zhao, X., Villagran, M. M., Kreps, G. L., & McHorney, C. (2012). Gain versus loss framing in adherence-promoting communication targeting patients with chronic diseases: The moderating effect of individual time perspective. Health Communication, 27(1), 75–85.

Kreps, G., Villagran, M. M., Zhao, X., McHorney, C., Ledford, C., & Weathers, M. (n.d.). Applying consumer psychology to develop and validate motivational message interventions for improving prescription drug adherence with consumers confronting chronic diseases: A multi-methodological field study. In R. Bantra, P. Anand, & V. Strecher (Eds.), Leveraging consumer psychology for effective health communication. London: M.E. Sharpe, Inc.

Kreps, G., Villagran, M. M., Zhao, X., McHorney, C., Ledford, C., & Weathers, M. (2011). Improving  prescription drug adherence with older adults confronting chronic diseases: A multimethodological field study. Patient Education and Counseling, 83, 365–371.

Zhao, X., Villagran, M. M., Kreps, K., & McHorney, C. (2011). Gain vs. Loss Framing in Adherence- Promoting Communication  Targeting Patients with Diseases: The Moderating Effect of Individual Time Perspective. Health Communication, 27(1), 75–85.

Villagran, M. M. (2011). Methodological diversity to reach patients along the margins, in the shadows, and on the cutting edge. Patient Education And Counseling, 82(2), 292–287.

Kreps, G. L., Villagran, M. M., Zhao, X., McHorney, C. A., Ledford, C., Weathers, M., & Keefe, B. (2011). Development and validation of motivational messages to improve prescription medication adherence for patients with chronic health problems. Patient Education and Counseling, 83(3), 375–381.

Villagran, M. M., Forkmann, T., Neumann, M., Harris-Haywood, S., Esptein, R., Carrio, F., … others. (2011). Special Issue: Methodology in Health Communication Research.

Sparks, L., & Villagran, M. M. (2010). Provider-patient communication: Global perspectives. London, United Kingdom: Polity Press.

Lagrasse, L., Bone, J., Wittenberg-Lyles, E., & Villagran, M. M. (2010). Instructor’s Resource Manual - A Speaker’s Guidebook. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Villagran, M. M., Goldsmith, J., Wittenberg-Lyles, E. M., & Baldwin, P. (2010). Communicating Bad News with COMFORT. Communication Currents, 5(4), 1–2.

Kreps, G., Sparks, L., & Villagran, M. M. (2010). Communication Education and Health Promotion: Tailoring health messages for targeted audiences. Communication Education.

Villagran, M. M., Goldsmith, J., Wittenberg-Lyles, E., & Baldwin, P. (2010). Creating COMFORT: A communication-based model for breaking bad news. Communication Education, 59(3), 220–234.

Kreps, G. L., & Neuhauser, L. (2010). Editors’ introduction, ehealth and health promotion. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 15(4), 527–529.

Villagran, M. M., Weathers, M., Keefe, B., & Sparks, L. (2010). Medical providers as global warming and climate change health educators: A health literacy approach. Communication Education, 59(3), 312–327.

Villagran, M. M., & Sparks, L. (2010). Social identity and health contexts. In Dynamics of Intergroup Communication (pp. 235–247). 235–247. New York: Peter Lang.

Ledford, C. J., Villagran, M. M., Kreps, G. L., Zhao, X., McHorney, C., Weathers, M., & Keefe, B. (2010). “Practicing medicine”: Patient perceptions of physician communication and the process of prescription. Patient Education and Counseling, 80(3), 384–392.

Villagran, M. M., & Hoffman, M. F. (2009). Knowledge is still power. In J. Keyton & P. Shockley-Zalabak (Eds.), Case studies for organizational communication: Understanding processes. Los Angeles, CA: Roxbury Press.

Sparks, L., & Villagran, M. M. (2008). Talking cancer: A communication approach to health literacy and cancer. Madrid, Spain: Editorial Aresta.

Villagran, M. M. (2008). Creating culturally appropriate organizational communication messages to combat health disparities in cancer care. In L. Sparks, H. D. O’Hair, & G. L. Kreps (Eds.), Cancer communication and aging (pp. 259–275). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.

Villagran, M. M., Collins, D., & Garcia, S. (2008). Voces de Las Colonias: Dialectical Tensions about Control and Cultural Identification in Latinas’ Communication about Cancer. In H. Zoller & M. Dutta (Eds.), Emerging Issues and Perspectives in Health Communication: Meaning, culture, power. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Villagran, M. M., Wittenburg-Lyles, E. M., & Hajek, C. (2008). Communicating about advance directives: Cultural differences between Latinos and European-Americans. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 17, 349–364.

Neuhauser, L., Sparks, L., Villagran, M. M., & Hajek, C. (2008). The power of community-based health communication interventions to promote cancer prevention and control for at-risk populations. Patient Education And Counseling, 71(3), 315–318.

Collins, D., Villagran, M. M., & Sparks, L. (2008). Crossing borders, crossing cultures: Barriers to communication about cancer prevention and treatment along the U.S./Mexico borde. Patient Education and Counseling, 71(3), 221–234.

Neuhauser, L., Sparks, L., Villagran, M. M., & Kreps, G. (2008). The power of community-based health communication interventions to promote cancer prevention and control for at-risk populations. Patient Education and Counseling, 71(3), 315–318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2008.03.015

Collins, D., Villagran, M. M., & Sparks, L. (2008). Crossing borders, crossing cultures: barriers to communication about cancer prevention and treatment along the U.S./Mexico border. Patient Education and Counseling, 71(3), 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2008.03.013

Villagran, M. M., Fox, L., & O’Hair, H. D. (2007). Patient communication processes: Agency, identity, and cancer care. In H. D. O’Hair, L. Sparks, & G. L. Kreps (Eds.), Handbook of communication and cancer care (pp. 131–148). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.

Hajek, C., Villagran, M. M., & Wittenberg-Lyles, E. M. (2007). The relationships among perceived physician accommodation, perceived outgroup typicality, and patient inclinations toward compliance. Communication Research Reports, 24, 293–302.

Sanchez-Reilly, S., Wittenberg-Lyles, E., & Villagran, M. M. (2007). Using a pilot curriculum in  geriatric palliative care to improve communication skills among medical student. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, (24), 131–136.

Sparks, L., Villagran, M. M., Parker-Raley, J., & Cunningham, C. B. (2007). A patient-centered approach to breaking bad news: Communication guidelines for healthcare professionals. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 40, 177–196.

Sanchez-Reilly, S. E., Wittenberg-Lyles, E. M., & Villagran, M. M. (2007). Using a pilot curriculum in geriatric palliative care to improve communication skills among medical students. The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care, 24(2), 131–136. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049909106297071

Villagran, M. M., Wittenburg-Lyles, E., & Garza, R. (2006). Problematic integration of health and safety messages: Capturing the cognitive, communicative, and cultural experiences of Hurricane Katrina volunteers. Analysis of Social Issues and Public Policy, 6, 87–98.

Wittenburg-Lyles, E. M., & Villagran, M. M. (2006). Disclosure of a cancer diagnosis in organizational peer relationships. Communication Research Reports, 23, 251–257.

Villagran, M. M., & Lucke, J. (2005). Translating communication measures for use with non-English-speaking populations. Communication Research Reports, 24, 247–251.

Villagran, M. M., Bains, Y. S., Guajardo, J., & Thomas, C. R. (2005). Preliminary Investigation of Preferred Mediated and Interpersonal Sources of Health Information Among Low-income Hispanic Women Receiving Mammograms: The Laredo NCI U56 Health Care Disparities Navigator Program. International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, 63, 566–577.

Villagran, M. M. (2004). Instructor’s Manual - Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach. Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

O’Hair, D., Stewart, R., Rubenstein, H., Wittenburg, E., & Villagran, M. M. (2004). A Speaker’s Guidebook: Instructor’s Version. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Wittenburg-Lyles, E., & Villagran, M. M. (2004). Instructor’s Manual - A Speaker’s Guidebook. A Speaker’s Guidebook. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Villagran, M. M. (2004). Exercises - A Speaker’s Guidebook. A Speaker’s Guidebook. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Villagran, M. M., & Hoffman, M. F. (2004). Knowledge is power. In J. Keyton & P. Shockley-Zalabak (Eds.), Case studies for organizational communication: Understanding processes. Los Angeles, CA: Roxbury Press.

Villagran, M. M., Sparks, L., & Boileau, D. (2004). Students’ reaction to the first day of class: Effectiveness in the communication classroom. Inventio, 6(1). Retrieved from http://www.doiiit.gmu.edu/inventio/issue.asp?pID=spring04&sID=issue

Johnson, A. J., Wittenberg, E., Villagran, M. M., Mazur, M., & Villagran, P. (2003). Turning points in  friendships: Examining the relational development of casual, close, and best friends. Communication Monographs, 70, 115–131.

Rowan, K., Sparks, L., Pecchioni, L., & Villagran, M. M. (2003). The CAUSE model: A research-supported decision aid for communicating about cancer risk. Health Communication, 15, 239–252.

O’Hair, D., Villagran, M. M., Wittenberg, E., Brown, K., Hall, H., & Doty, T. (2003). Cancer survivorship and agency model (CSAM): Implications for patient choice, decision-making, and influenc. Health Communication, 15, 17–38.

Johnson, A. J., Wittenberg, E., Villagran, M. M., Mazur, M., & Villagran, P. (2003). Relational progression as a dialectic: Examining turning points in communication among friends. Communication Monographs, 70(3), 230–249. https://doi.org/10.1080/0363775032000167415

O’Hair, D., Villagran, M. M., Wittenberg, E., Brown, K., Ferguson, M., Hall, H. T., & Doty, T. (2003). Cancer survivorship and agency model: implications for patient choice, decision making, and influence. Health Communication, 15(2), 193–202. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327027HC1502_7

Rowan, K. E., Sparks, L., Pecchioni, L., & Villagran, M. M. (2003). The CAUSE model: a research-supported aid for physicians communicating with patients about cancer risk. Health Communication, 15(2), 235–248. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327027HC1502_11

Villagran, M. M. (2002). Instructor’s Manual - A Speaker’s Guidebook. A Speaker’s Guidebook. Boston, MA: St. Martin’s Press.

Villagran, M. M. (2002). Instructor’s Manual - Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach. Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Villagran, M. M. (2002). Games and Activities for A Speaker’s Guidebook. Boston, MA: St. Martin’s Press.

Buchanan, M. C., Villagran, M. M., & Ragan, S. L. (2002). Women, menopause, and (Ms.)information: communication about the climacteric. Health Communication, 14(1), 99–119. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327027HC1401_5

Mitchell, M., Brown, K., Villagran, M. M., & Villagran, P. (2001). The effects of anger, sadness, and  happiness on persuasive health message processing:  A test of the negative state relief mode. Communication Monographs, 68, 347–359.

Buchanan, M. B., & Villagran, M. M. (2000). Instructor’s Manual - Business Communication: A Framework for Success. Business Communication: A Framework for Success. Cincinnati, OH: South-Western Publishing.

Villagran, M. M., & Buchanan, M. B. (2000). Annotated Version - Business Communication: A Framework for Success. Business Communication: A Framework for Success. Cincinnati, OH: South-Western Publishing.

Villagran, M. M. (1998). [Review of Comic relief, by A. Van Gundy]. In 101 Great Games and Activities for Training and Development. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Villagran, M. M. (1998). [Review of Leadership inventory, by A. Van Gundy]. In 101 Great Games and Activities for Training and Development. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Villagran, M. M. (1998). [Review of Values roll call, by A. Van Gundy]. In 101 Great Games and Activities for Training and Development. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Villagran, M. M. (1998). [Review of More similar than different, by A. Van Gundy]. In 101 Great Games and Activities for Training and Development. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Villagran, M. M. (1998). [Review of Language bias, by A. Van Gundy]. In 101 Great Games and Activities for Training and Development. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Sparks-Bethea, L., Villagran, M. M., Crowell, T., & Dalton, P. (1997). A Guide to Public Speaking: Student Handbook. Carrollton, TX: Alliance Press Custom Books.

Sparks-Bethea, L., & Villagran, M. M. (1997). [Review of The ideal visual aid would be..., by L. W. Hugenberg]. In Teaching ideas for the basic communication course. Kendall Hunt.

Sparks-Bethea, L., & Villagran, M. M. (1997). [Review of Impromptu fortune cookie speech, by L. W. Hugenberg]. In Teaching ideas for the basic communication course. Kendall Hunt.

Sparks-Bethea, L., & Villagran, M. M. (1997). [Review of Audience analysis: For audience analysis before speeches begin, by L. W. Hugenberg]. In Teaching ideas for the basic communication course. Kendall Hunt.

Sparks-Bethea, L., & Villagran, M. M. (1997). [Review of Tic-Tac-Terms, by L. W. Hugenberg]. In Teaching ideas for the basic communication course. Kendall Hunt.

Sparks-Bethea, L., & Villagran, M. M. (1997). [Review of Persuasive debate, by L. W. Hugenberg]. In Teaching ideas for the basic communication course. Kendall Hunt.

Sparks-Bethea, L., & Villagran, M. M. (1997). [Review of Bias-free language, by L. W. Hugenberg]. In Teaching ideas for the basic communication course. Kendall Hunt.

Sparks-Bethea, L., & Villagran, M. M. (1996). Public Speaking in a Diverse Society: Student Workbook. Oklahoma City, OK: Custom Academic Publishing Company.