Sharon Callahan, Ed.D.

Dr. Sharon Callahan is the Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Life at Seattle University's School of Theology and Ministry.
 
  In Dr. Callahan's own words:
"I’ve lived in the Greater Seattle area most of my life. During my years in pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese of Seattle, I yearned for the Seattle University Institute (at that time) to make theological education and ministerial preparation available to people outside the immediate Seattle area. After being asked to apply for a position that would help the School do just that kind of outreach, I submitted my resume, entered into a series of interviews and was offered the position of Director of Regionalization. I’ve been at Seattle University almost 19 years!

My work in the public sector as a banker, computer programmer, and trust administrator, as well as my positions of Pastoral Associate combine with my love for teaching. I’m practical, connected to the broader church, and attempt to encourage students to integrate theological insights with immediate practical implication. My research agenda is relatively broad within a specific focus on how to prepare leaders for an increasingly diverse world.

Since beginning my tenure at Seattle University, I have traveled to many parts of Europe, Kenya, the Philippines, Taiwan, Mexico, Central America, and Vietnam. I work with people on translations and cultural adaptations of scripture studies (SALT) in Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese, as well as English. I continue to explore the impact of technology on Christian community development, educational opportunity, and ways of thinking and learning. I integrate music, prayer, kinesthetic learning, technology, mini-immersion experiences, reading, “drama”, and lecture in my teaching. Mostly I’m interested in people finding a way to deepen their own insights, expand their toolkits, and engage difference with grace."

Education

BFA in Drama Fort Wright College, 1971;
MA in Speech and Drama, Ball State University, 1975;
MA in Adult Faith Community Development, Regis University, 1990;
Ed.D., Seattle University, 1996.

Academic/Professional Experience

Lecturer at Ball State University, 1971-1972.
Faculty, Seattle University 1996-present.
Associate professor, 2004. Director MAPS, 1993-1998;
Director Degrees, 1998-2001;
Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Life 2001-2004; 2006- present.

Other Professional Experience

Lay Minister in Archdiocese of Western Washington, 1978-1990. Trust administrator, Old National Bank of Washingon, 1972-1974.

Research Interests 

Competencies for ministerial leadership. Published in this area:

Competence for ministerial leadership in cross-cultural contexts. Published in this area:

Impact of culture on reconciliation efforts, especially viewed through ecumenical lenses related to Celtic cultures: Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

Education in culturally diverse contexts:

Publications

BOOK CHAPTERS
2007 “Forming Lay Missional Leaders for Congregations and the World.” Sharon Henderson Callahan, Ed. D. in a Missional Church text. Edited by Craig Van Gelder. And to be published in 2008 by Eerdrmans.

1998 “Resource for Today," Callahan and Merkt in Common Formation Goals for Ministry. Edited by Joseph Merkt. Chicago: NALM, 2000.

JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS
2005 Callahan, Sharon and James Eblen. “Roman Catholic Polity and Leadership.” Journal of Religious Leadership. Spring and Fall, 2006. Vol. 5:1 and 5:2. pp. 187-217.

2003 “Leadership in Ecclesial Contexts. Integration of Art and Competence.” Journal of Religious Leadership. Fall, 2003. Vol. 2:2. pp. 47-90.

2002 “Constituency Engagement Benefits the Curriculum Review Process.” Cases. Pittsburgh: Forming Lay Ministers. Association of Theological Schools, 2003.

2002 "Shifting Images of Church Invite New Leadership Frames." Journal of Religious Leadership. Spring 2002. pp. 55-82.

2000 "Getting Down to Cases. Hospitality the Key to Recognizing the Prophetic Dimension of Diverse Populations." in New Theology Review. Volume XIII, No. 1, February 2000.

BOOK REVIEWS
2006 Disrupting White Supremacy From Within edited by Jennifer Harvey, Karin A. Case and Robin Hawly Gorsline. Cleveland: the Pilgrim Press, 2004. in Family Ministry: Empowering Through Faith. (Submitted by invitation, waiting to be published.)

Basic Christian Leadership: Biblical Models of Church, Gospel, and Ministry. By John Stott. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002. in Journal of Religious Leadership, 6:1 (Spring. 2007):122-124.

Sacred Acts, Holy Change by Eric H. Law. Chalice Press, 2002. in Journal of Religious Leadership, 6:1 (Spring, 2007): 125-128.

2005 Siblings by Choice by Archie Smith Jr. St. Louis: Chalice Press, 2004 in Family Ministry: Empowering Through Faith, 19: 4 (Winter 2005): 63-65.

2000 Becoming Colleagues by Carol Becker. Jossey-Bass, 2000, in Journal of Religious Leadership, 1:2 (Fall, 2002): 133-135.

OTHER PUBLICATIONS
2007 Scripture and Leadership Training (SALT). Pentateuch: Exodus. Edited by Sharon Henderson Callahan. Seattle: Seattle University, 2007.

Scripture and Leadership Training (SALT). Synoptic Gospels. Edited by Sharon Henderson Callahan. Seattle: Seattle University, 2007.

Scripture and Leadership Training (SALT). Prophetic Texts: Isaiah. Edited by Sharon Henderson Callahan. Seattle: Seattle University, 2007.

Scripture and Leadership Training (SALT). Prophetic Texts: Paul. Edited by Sharon Henderson Callahan. Seattle, Seattle University, 2007.

Scripture and Leadership Training (SALT). General ed. Sharon Henderson Callahan. Working editor and translator Hy Xuan Le. Ho Chi Minh City: Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City, 2007.

2004 “Values Based Education in Kenya. A Baseline Analysis Prepared for Catholic Relief Services in Collaboration with Kenyan Episcopal Conference- Catholic Schools.” October, 2004.

2003 Rodriguez, Jeanette and Sharon Callahan. “Creating a ‘Space in Oneself for the Other.” Proceedings of the 27th Biennial Consultation of the Association for Theological Field Education. Summer, 2003, pp. 57-65.

2003 Callahan, Sharon and Clothilde Molina. "Transitions from a Monocultural to a Multicultural Organization Embodying the Christian Vision of Inclusion." Seattle Theology and Ministry Review. Volume I, 2001.

Rodriguez, Jeanette and Sharon Callahan. "Recruiting and Sustaining Culturally Diverse DREs: Transforming Heart and Praxis." NPCD (Natl Assoc. of Parish Catechetical Directors) News. June 2001.

_ . "New Parish Cultural Contexts: The Hispanic Perspective." Catechist (Nov/Dec 2001) pp 42-46.

1998 “Transforming Leadership: The Challenge of a Changing Paradigm,” A Matter of Spirit (AMOS). No. 40, Fall 1998.

1990-93 Co-authored the Scripture and Leadership Training (SALT) program. The SALT program is a 54-week study of Scripture and a three-weekend intensive program with a four-week mentoring process in leadership. Edited the entire series and self-published it through Seattle University.

1988-90 Twelve-Week Study of the Gospel of Luke for Adult Education, non-published; taught in two parishes in 1989-90; used by permission in 1995 and in1998.

Affiliations

AGPIM- Association of Graduate Programs in Ministry, past president and third recipient of the Called and Gifted Award

ARL- Association of Religious Leadership. Past steering committee member.
JRL- Journal of Religious Leadership editorial board

ATS-Chief Academic Officers

ATS- Women in Leadership initiative
Recipient of three awards to participate in conferences as well as grant to develop leadership effectiveness trough coaching.

AAR- American Academy of Religion, member since 2000.

Honors

Called and Gifted Award, 2008. AGPIM (Association of Graduate Programs in Ministry)
2004 Visiting Faculty from Seattle University to Kenya. Received Mission Grant, CRS grant and research grant. Visited Kenya during August 2004 as consultant to the CRS, Catholic Conference of Nairobi, and Education Ministry of Kenya. Assisted educators in assessment and preliminary development of refined curriculum toward value based education.

Received a Center for Teaching and Learning Technology grant. One of four Seattle University faculty to receive a grant to pursue areas related to increasing teaching and learning excellence.

Association of Theological Schools, Theological Scholars Grant. Working title Leading cross-cultural communities of faith: challenges, joys, strategies, and gifts. An ethnographic study of pastoral leadership experience in Washington State.

Association of Theological Schools grant to participate in “Women in Leadership in Theological Education” reunion conference.

Seattle University Summer Faculty Grant- multimedia workshop. Stipend plus two week intensive workshop toward assisting faculty to make use of appropriate technology in the classroom.

2000 Research grant from School of Theology and Ministry. Research time and funds for study in ecumenical theology funded by Lilly faculty development funds awarded by the STM grant committee.

1998 Association of Theological Schools Grant for Women in Leadership $2500.

1997 Association of Theological Schools grant to participate in “Women in Leadership in Theological Education” conference.