Kathi R. Shepherd

Kathi R. Shepherd serves as Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Educational Development and Assessment at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, where she has been a faculty member since 1985. Her role encompasses educational leadership and active teaching within the dental hygiene program.

Her academic credentials include:

• Master of Science in Healthcare Education from University of Detroit Mercy (1995)
• Bachelor of Science and Certificate in Dental Hygiene from University of Detroit

Professor Shepherd specializes in dental hygiene curriculum development, with expertise in care planning, community dentistry, and clinical techniques. She has designed continuing education courses on periodontal debridement and head/neck examinations, translating 36+ years of private practice into pedagogical innovation. Her research consistently addresses educational methodologies in dental hygiene.

She has earned multiple teaching awards recognizing her instructional excellence, though specific award names are not documented in the source material.

As co-director of dental hygiene research poster development, she mentors student scholarly activities. While her leadership involves curriculum assessment, no grant details or formal advisee lists are provided. Her clinical background deeply informs her educational approach across all teaching domains.