III
About the Authors About the Authors
Sharleen L. Kato, EdD, loves teaching as well
as learning. She is a professor at Seattle Pacific
University where she encourages students to
become creative and successful in their chosen
career field. She believes that the mission of fam-
ily and consumer sciences is the key to a myriad
of meaningful and fulfilling careers. Dr. Kato has
taught undergraduate students for over 25 years.
She currently serves as the Family and Consumer
Sciences Department Director. Dr. Kato holds a
doctorate in education, a master’s in human ecol-
ogy, and an undergraduate degree in home eco-
nomics. She travels extensively spending at least
two weeks each year serving in an orphanage, teen
home, and prenatal clinic in the Philippines.
Janice G. Elias, PhD, is professor emeritus at
Youngstown State University where she previously
served as professor of family and consumer sci-
ences, chairperson of the Department of Human
Ecology, assistant provost for academic planning,
and interim dean of the College of Health and
Human Services. Dr. Elias has taught family and
consumer sciences in middle school, high school,
and adult education settings and continues to
teach part-time at the college level. She earned her
undergraduate and master’s degrees from Ohio
University, a doctoral degree in human ecology
from the Ohio State University, and a certificate
in higher education management from Harvard
University. Her particular interest is the interac-
tion of family life and work life. She is a mem-
ber of the American Association of Family and
Consumer Sciences, Kappa Omicron Nu, and Phi
Upsilon Omicron.