Department of Family Social Science

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Meet Catherine Solheim

Catherine Solheim, Ph.D., University of Minnesota

Office

287 McNeal Hall

Phone

(612) 625-1201

E-mail

csolheim@umn.edu

Mailing Address

Mail Code 6140
290 McNeal Hall
1985 Buford Avenue
St Paul, MN 55108-6140

Additional Information

curriculum vitae

University of Minnesota Moment

Thailand 2007: Food & Family Blog

Conversations about Emerging Learning Environments

Using Thailand’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy to Develop Global Citizens

Catherine Solheim

Associate Professor
(Ph.D. University of Minnesota)

Scholarly Interests

Family Resource Management
Family asset Development
Family Policy
Families and Culture
Human Ecology Theory
Global Family Systems

Degrees

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Ph.D. Family Social Science

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
M.A. Family Social Science

University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN
B.A. Home Economics Education

Honors & Awards

2008 Family Social Science Multicultural Recognition Award nominee- College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota

1998 Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award, Auburn University

1992 Phi Upsilon Omicron, Honor Society in Home Economics, Alpha Chapter

1992 Outstanding Faculty Award in the College of Human Sciences, Auburn University

1991 Marvin B. Sussman Competitive Family Scholars Award, Groves Conference on Marriage and the Family

1991 Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars, Alpha Upsilon Chapter

1991 Doctoral Research Award, Southeast Regional Association of Family Economics and Home Management

Teaching & Learning

FSoS 3101: Personal and Family Finances

FSoS 3104: Global and Diverse Families

FSoS 8003: Current Issues in Family Science

FSoS 8014: Family Policy

FSoS Special Topics: Food and Family Life in Thailand (May Term 2007); Tentative May 2009

Research & Discovery

Family Assets for Independence Minnesota (FAIM) - This study seeks to understand savings behavior in low-wage working families. Current evaluation efforts (in collaboration with FAIM partners – Community Action, the Office of Economic Opportunity, Women Venture, and the Greater Twin Cities United Way) examine changes in financial status and well-being, financial knowledge and financial practices over time through participation in FAIM, a matched savings program across the state of Minnesota.

Mexican Agricultural Workers in Minnesota: A Study of Transnational Work and Family Issues – This bi-national research and outreach project, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, studies the transnational work and family issues of Mexican agricultural workers in southern Minnesota and their families in Minnesota and Mexico. The goals of the project also include developing faculty and graduate students competencies in cross-cultural and cross-national research methodology and collaboration, developing educational programs for use in the community and in the classroom, and developing public policy related to remittances in the financial services sector.

Financial Management and Savings Behavior - This multi-state research project explores the economic and psychological influences on family savings behavior, including preferences for savings strategies. Findings will potentially provide input to asset development policy and financial industry products.

Intergenerational Resources and Relationships in Thailand – This project examines the changing family dynamics related to human and economic resource exchange in Thailand. Results may contribute to policies and programs to deal with challenges created by cultural change from an intergenerational family-based exchange of economic and care-giving support for the elderly to an increasingly individualistic approach to aging. Food and Family Life in Thailand.

Immigrant Family Resource Management Behavior - This research project examines financial management behavior of Minnesota’s recent immigrant families (Hmong, Somali, Oromo, Russian) in the context of cultural beliefs, gender roles, and environmental supports and constraints.

Outreach & Engagement

The cycle of scholarship integrates research, teaching, outreach and engagement in order to discover new knowledge, create opportunities for learners on and off campus, and apply new knowledge to everyday problems of family and community life. Additionally, family scholars must embrace diverse worldviews and cultures; family social science students must understand the complexities of the global marketplace and community. The phrase “global is local” takes on new meaning in an increasingly diverse Minnesota.

Council Member and Evaluator: Family Assets for Independence Minnesota (FAIM)
Evaluator: Women’s Initiative for Self-Empowerment (WISE)
Board Member: Centro de Investigacion Familiar (CIFAC), Monterrey, Mexico
International Section Chair: National Council on Family Relations
President: Thai Association of Minnesota

Selected Publications

Yang, P.N.D., & Solheim, C.A. (2008). Financial management in Hmong immigrant families: Change and adaptation. Hmong Studies Journal, 8, 1-33.

Wachwithan, P., Solheim, C., & Popovich, P. (2008 - In press). Using Thailand’s sufficiency economy philosophy to develop global citizens. International Federation of Home Economics E-Book.

Solheim, C.A., Hogan, M.J., Nelson-Christinedaugher, J., & Yang, P. (2006). Comparison of financial education train-the-trainer models: Community mentor, four cornerstones, and financial literacy initiative for immigrants training. Technical research report for The McKnight Foundation, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Solheim, C.A., Hogan, M.J., Nkosi, B., Wolfgram, S., Rodrigues, N., & Nelson-Christinedaughter, J. (2005). Family Assets for Independence Minnesota technical research report.

Solheim, C.A., Petersen, C., & Anderson-Porisch, S. (2005). Financial literacy training for coaches and caseworkers. Technical research report for the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ Office of Economic Opportunity.

Hogan, M., Solheim, C., Wolfgram, S., Nkosi, B., & Rodrigues, N. (2004). The working poor: From the economic margins to asset development. Family Relations, 53(2), pp. 229-236.

Solheim, C.A., & Hogan, M.J. (2004). Four cornerstones curriculum and training evaluation tool. Developed for statewide use in Minnesota for the Department of Human Services’ Office of Economic Opportunity.

Olson, J.R., Goddard, H.W., Solheim, C.A., Sandt, L. (2004). Making a case for engaging adolescents in program decision-making. Journal of Extension, 42(6), 1-10.

Pittman, J.F., Kerpelman, J.L., & Solheim, C.A. (2001). Stress and performance standards: A dynamic approach to time spent in housework. Journal of Marriage and Family 63(Nov), pp. 1111-1121.

Pittman, J.F., Teng, W., Kerpelman, J.L., & Solheim, C.A. (1999). Satisfaction with performance of housework. Journal of Family Issues, 20(6), 746-770.