Biography and expertise
I received my B.A. (2005), M.A. (2007), and Ph.D. (2012) in Communication from the University of Arizona. When I am not teaching or researching, I enjoy spending time with my family. We love sunshine, mountains, music, and the San Marcos River.
Education
Doctorate Degree
PhD in Communication
University of Arizona, 2012
Master's Degree
MA in Communication
University of Arizona, 2007
Bachelor's Degree
BA in Communication and Psychology
University of Arizona, 2005
Teaching Interests
Research Interests
Featured grants
- Houser, Marian L (Principal), Farris, Kristen Nacole LeBlanc (Co-Principal), Burke, Patricia Jean (Co-Principal). Assessment of the Caregiver Communication Competence Scale, Texas State University, Texas State University, $16000. (Submitted: October 1, 2022, Funded: January 1, 2023 - May 31, 2024). Grant.
- Burke, T. J., Burns, Michael Edward. Building a Culture of Health at Work: Assessing and Fostering Supervisor Support, Texas State University, $16000. (Funded: December 2017 - December 2018). Grant.
- Burke, T. J (Principal), Burns, Michael Edward. Investigating Family Communication and Mental Health during the Transition to College, Research Enhancement Grant, Texas State University, $16000. (Funded: 2013 - 2014). Grant.
- Burke, T. J. Graduate and Professional Student Council Travel Grant, University of Arizona, $500. (Funded: 2011). Grant.
- Farris, Kristen Nacole LeBlanc (Principal), Burke, Patricia Jean (Co-Principal). Familial Influence in Patient Medical Decision-Making, Research Enhancement Program, Texas State University, $23900. (Submitted: October 2025). Grant.
Featured scholarly/creative works
- Farris, K. N. L., DeGroot, J. M., Burke, T. J., & Mellow, A. J. (2026). “It’s going to take hard work”: An exploratory analysis of parent-caregivers’ labor across their child’s illness trajectory. Western Journal of Communication, 90(3), 417–441. https://doi.org/10.1080/10570314.2025.2601506
- Cooper, A., Burke, T. J., & DeGroot, J. (2025). Coping with Loss in Caregiving: Comparing the Experiences of Dementia Family Caregivers and Parents of Medically Complex Children. Health Communication.
- Burke, T. J., DeGroot, J. M., Farris, K. L., & Mellow, A. J. (2024). The rare life: Examining parents’ grief associated with caring for their medically complex children. Health Communication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2024.2330130
- Farris, K. N. L., Singh, S. M., Burke, T., & Warber, K. (2023). Communicative Resilience in Parent-Caregivers of Children with Medically Complex Conditions (MCCs). Texas Speech Communications Journal, 47, 17–31.
- Farris, K. N. L., Burns, M. E., Burke, T. J., & Bezner, J. R. (2023). Employee culture of health perceptions and the development of a training intervention. International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 16(2/3), 205–221. Retrieved from https://www.emerald.com/insight/1753-8351.htm
Featured awards
- Award / Honor Recipient: Presidential Distinction Award in Scholarly and Creative Activity, Texas State University. 2024
- Award / Honor Recipient: Top Paper, National Communication Association, Training and Development Division. 2022
- Award / Honor Recipient: Online Teaching Award, Texas State University. 2019
- Award / Honor Recipient: College Achievement Award in Scholarship/Creative Activity, Texas State University. 2019
- Award / Honor Recipient: College Achievement Award in Scholarship/Creative Activity, Texas State University. 2018
Featured service activities
- Member
WellCats Leadership Team
- Member
Pediatric Experience Collaborative
- Member
COFAC AI Subcommittee
- Board Member
Second Street Children's School
- Member
Phoenix Children's Hospital Institutional Review Board
- Member
Teaching Effectiveness Committee