Shea Austin Cantu, EdD

Associate Specialist/Associate Professor
Director, SNAP-Ed and EFNEP

Shantz 404

520-626-9392
cantu1@arizona.edu

EDUCATION

  • EdD Higher Learning and Adult Education, concentration in Adult Education - University of Memphis, 2017
    • Dissertation: “The Influence of Community Ties on Rural Single Mothers’ Participation in Community College: A Qualitative Cross Case Study”
  • Graduate Certificate, Community College Teaching and Leadership - University of Memphis, 2017
  • MS Human Sciences, Child Development and Family Studies - Middle Tennessee State University, 2001
    • Thesis: “An Evaluation of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Intervention Strategies Used by Child Advocates in Domestic Violence Shelters in the State of Tennessee”
  • BS Human Sciences, Child Development and Family Studies - Freed-Hardeman University, 1996

BIO
Shea Austin Cantu is the Director of the SNAP-Education Program and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) at the University of Arizona.  Prior to working with the University of Arizona, Shea worked for 19 years with Tennessee Extension at both the University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University as a Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, EFNEP Area Specialist, Program Field Manager and then Director of the Community Nutrition Education Program comprised of both EFNEP and SNAP-Education.  Shea's research interests include community nutrition education program management, rural poverty, single mothers, adult education, and community sustainability.

PUBLICATIONS

  • Austin Cantu, M. S., Lockett, B., Morris, A., Henson, T., Fleming, R., Lott, E., Brooks, B., Goddard, D., Mosby, M., & Turner, T. (2023) Addressing equity through collective impact: The development of the inaugural 1890s Community Nutrition Education Conference. [Manuscript submitted for publication]. Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture. Tennessee State University.
  • Paddock, J., Sweeney, L., Austin Cantu, M.S. (2022) National Listening Sessions SNAP-Education Directors and Coordinators Report. American Public Land Grant Universities SNAP-Education Program Development Team.
  • Sherman, S., Austin Cantu, S., Morris, A., & White, J. (2021). SNAP-Education at 1890 Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Lifting up communities for healthy active lives.  National report on findings from research sponsored by Robert Woods Johnson Foundation and The Food Trust. http://thefoodtrust.org/uploads/media_items/report_snap-ed-at- 1890-  hbcus_2021.original.pdf.

PRESENTATIONS

  • Mosby, M., Austin Cantu, S., & Sherman, S. The Food Trust’s on SNAP-Education at 1890s Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Lifting Up Communities for Healthy Active Lives.  [Documentary Premiere] Association of SNAP-Education Administrators (ASNNA) National Conference. February 8, 2023, Washington D.C.
  • Austin Cantu, S. & Mosby, M. Building more equitable SNAP-Ed Collaborations Among Land-Grant Universities & State and Community Partners. [Webinar Series].  Michigan State University.  December 1, 2022. 
  • Austin Cantu, S., Morris, A., & Henson, T. The capacity to support: Creating the 1890s Multi-State Community Nutrition Education Conference. Association of Extension Administrators Annual Conference. Orlando Florida, August 1, 2022.
  • Austin Cantu, S. How to submit to the National SNAP-Ed Toolkit.  1890s Multi-State Community Nutrition Education Conference.  Virtual Conference.  May 19, 2022.
  • Austin Cantu, S. Historically Black Colleges and Universities SNAP-Education Programs: Tennessee State University.  USDA FNS SNAP-Ed 30th Anniversary Webinar. April 27, 2022.
  • Austin Cantu, S. Impact of 1890s SNAP-Education.  Congressional Briefing through ASNNA and the American Academy of Dietetics, Making the case for healthy eating: A primer on SNAP-Education.  Zoom Webinar. January 12, 2022.
  • Austin Cantu, S. & Speller-Henderson, L. Time management: What do emotions have to do with it? University of Georgia State Community Nutrition Education Conference. Eatonton, GA. November 17, 2021.
  • Austin Cantu, S. & Speller-Henderson, L. How-to’s: Simple strategies, easily implemented, geared to improve your practice. University of Georgia State Community Nutrition Education Conference. Eatonton, GA.  November 17, 2021.
  • Austin Cantu, S. & Speller-Henderson, L. What do you do again? Community Nutrition Education Work.  Keynote. University of Georgia State Community Nutrition Education Conference. Eatonton, GA.  November 17, 2021.
  • Austin Cantu, S. & Mosby, M. Launching the Community of Practice. 1890’s Multi-State Conference on Food Accessibility.  Zoom Webinar. May 20th, 2021.
  • Austin Cantu, S. & Shope, S. PSE Work Beyond the Community Educator. North Carolina State University’s Virtual PSE Academy. Zoom Webinar. March 4, 2021.
  • Austin Cantu, S. & Lombardo, M. Delivering SNAP-Education Approved Nutrition, Physical Activity and Healthy Living Content Using Online Technology to Reach Vulnerable Populations. Virtual Annual Conference of the Association of SNAP Nutrition Education Administrators. Zoom Webinar. February 3, 2021.
  • Austin Cantu, S. & Sherman, S. SNAP-Education Implementation in Partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Virtual Annual Conference of the Association of SNAP Nutrition Education Administrators. Zoom Webinar. February 3, 2021.
  • Austin Cantu, S. Food Justice Panel.  Middle Tennessee Local Food Summit.  November 12, 2020.
  • Austin Cantu, S. Building Relationship.  Cornell University Extension EFNEP Fall Update.  Zoom Webinar.  October 27, 2020.
  • Austin Cantu, S. & Speller-Henderson, L. Promoting Your Nutrition Education Programming.  Virginia Tech Family Nutrition Program Webinar Series. August 28, 2020.
  • Austin Cantu, S. Community Nutrition Education Impacts FY19. Tennessee State University College of Agriculture’s Faculty and Staff Institute. Pickwick Landing State Park, Counce, TN. August 8, 2019.
  • Austin Cantu, S. Promoting Your EFNEP Programming. Ohio State University State EFNEP Conference.  Columbus, OH. May 9, 2019.
  • Austin Cantu, S. Building Relationship. Ohio State University Regional Zoom Webinar Trainings.  January 22, February 13, 21, 2019.