Dr. Cassy Burleson Bids Farewell to Baylor

This spring, Dr. Cassy Burleson, senior lecturer and director of American Studies, retired after dedicating 25 years to Baylor University. 

Renowned for her passionate teaching and unwavering dedication to student success—covering marketability, placement, internships, jobs, and portfolio development—Burleson also championed diversity and inclusion. She was a beloved mentor to many.

"It’s bittersweet to hear that Dr. Cassy Burleson is retiring from Baylor University after 25 years of service—bitter because future students won’t get to experience her legendary blend of brilliance, compassion, and sass in the classroom... The legacy she leaves at Baylor is more than just a classroom—it’s a space where I learned to write it right (and tight), care deeply, and speak up even when it’s unpopular. Dr. Burleson didn’t just teach us how to write stories; she showed us how to live them out with integrity and purpose."

                                                                                                                                 --Logan Lee, former student

Burleson revamped the PR program at Baylor University and played a pivotal role in establishing it as a leading department in the field. 

“Dr. Burleson has been a champion for placing our graduates in jobs immediately after they graduate from our program," said Dr. Marlene Neill, Professor and graduate program director. “She was persistent in following up with faculty and recent graduates to check on their progress and wasn't satisfied until everyone had either found a job or entered graduate or law school.”

Burleson assisted the Baylor JPR&NM department in implementing practices that generate meaningful student results, recruiting more than 200 internship sites and establishing formal procedures for intern evaluation. 

“Cassy's passion was ensuring our students were ready to enter the workforce,” said Dr. Alec Tefertiller, associate professor. “She worked tirelessly to stay informed about industry trends and employer needs, and she made sure our students were prepared.”

During her time as a senior lecturer, she supervised around 40 interns each semester and visited each site every term. She also spent hundreds of hours each semester coordinating portfolio reviews, conducting site visits, recruiting a ‘dream team’ of experts, developing a diverse speakers list, and compiling internship evaluation results to enhance the program.

“Cassy is one of the hardest workers I know,” said Dr. Mia Moody, Professor and JPR&NM department chair. “She is innovative and dedicated to ensuring students are well-prepared for the job market. She will be missed.”

Burleson credits her success to site leaders who recognize the importance of paying and mentoring interns, students who work harder and learn faster, supportive colleagues (especially bosses, TAs, and work-study students), alumni and practitioners across the country who generously share their expertise with our program and hire our graduates, and those dedicated to keeping our classrooms as COVID-free as possible.

Burleson served as president of the American Studies Association of Texas in 2014 and has worked as a writer and editor since 1965, with her work appearing in newspapers, magazines, and academic and literary journals. Her poetry has been featured in Whetstone, Green Fuse, Beall House of Poetry, and the Langdon Review. She was a co-editor of “Her Texas: Story, Image, Poem & Song” (Wings Press, San Antonio, March 2015).

“I am not sure we have another professor who is as passionate about our students' success as Cassy, and that's saying a lot, because our professors love our students. She is truly one-of-a-kind, and she will be greatly missed,” Tefertiller said.