Dr. Bertha Cato is an Associate Professor in the Tourism, Recreation, and Sport Management Department at the University of Florida and former Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs (Spring 2000- Spring 2004) within the College of Health and Human Performance. She earned her Doctorate Degree in Recreation Administration and minor in Public Administration from Indiana University in 1981. Dr. Cato joined the University of Florida faculty in 1990 and has served as co-graduate coordinator. Dr. Cato has published in the areas of at-risk youth, financing and marketing parks, and recreation. Dr. Cato served as lead editor of  Youth at Risk: Targeting in on Prevention, an AAL project. She was also the Principal Investigator for a $400,000.00, three-year prevention project, Project WISE-UP, which served at risk, middle school youth.

Dr. Cato has delivered several presentations at international and national conferences including the 2nd ICHPER*SD Asia Congress in Cebu, Philippines; the 36th ICHPER*SD Congress in Yokohama, Japan and the 34th ICHPER*SD World Congress in Limerick, Ireland. Dr. Cato has also delivered more than 75 presentations/workshops on the national and state levels on building networks and partnerships, marketing, financing parks and recreation, enhancing cultural diversity, and prevention and youth development.

Dr. Cato received the 2003 Florida Recreation and Parks Association Research Award and Recreation Professional of the Year 1996-1997 Award from Southern District American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance for her outstanding work with prevention and at risk youth. She also received the 1994 Teaching Improvement Award (TIP) award within the College of Health and Human Performance at the University of Florida.

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