Faculty Profile

Education: BA, Seattle Pacific University, 1984; MA, Michigan State University, 1986; EdD, Seattle Pacific University, 1992. At SPU 1986–2022. Emerita since 2022.

Dr. Shareen Kato taught undergraduate students for over 30 years and served as the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) department director for 15 of those years. Dr. Kato holds an undergraduate degree in Home Economics, a Master’s in Human Ecology, Doctorate in Education, and is professionally certified in family and consumer sciences-human development and family studies (CFCS-HDFS). She teaches courses in the family and consumer sciences core, as well as children and families, work and families, and communicating FCS.

She spends two weeks in the Philippines each year with students as they serve in an orphanage, teen home, and participate in feeding and in a prenatal clinic, while learning to build community support systems.

Her professional memberships include the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, the International Federation of Home Economics, and the Washington Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Dr. Kato has traveled to dozens of countries with her husband and their children. Her passions include family-life education, cultural diversity, and helping families who are resource-challenged. 

Selected Publications

Books published

• Kato, S. (2016). Principles of Human Services. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox.
• Kato, S. (2016). Lifespan Development, 2nd Edition. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox.
• Kato, S. (2016). Teaching, 2nd Edition. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox.
• Kato, S. and J. Elias (2014). Foundations of Family and Consumer Sciences: Careers serving individuals, families, and communities, 2nd Edition. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox.
• Kato, S. (2013). Lifespan Development. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox.
• Kato, S. (2013). Lifespan Development: Instructor’s Resources (CD). Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox.
• Kato, S. (2013). Lifespan Development: Student Workbook. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox.
• Kato, S. (2013). Lifespan Development: Annotated Student Workbook. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox.
• Kato, S. (2010). Teaching. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox.
• Kato, S. (2010). Teaching Online Course. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox.
• Kato, S. (2008). Foundations of Family and Consumer Sciences: Careers serving individuals, families, and communities. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox. Selected Publications

Additional publications

Kato, S. (Summer, 2013.) Go Global: Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Year of the Family. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal.

Kato, S. (2003.) “Family Counts: Multiracial Family Research Issues in Family and Consumer Sciences.” Research Applications in Family and Consumer Sciences. Ed. Steward, B. & Purcell, R. American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences monograph series. Alexandria: American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. pp. 143–147.

Kato, S. (September, 2006.) “No Longer the Majority: The Impact of Multiracial Trends in America.” Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, Vol. 98 (3), pp. 79–81.

View Dr. Sharleen Kato’s CV (PDF) for more information.