Mike Rosato serves as Professor of Education and Dean of the School of Education & Fine Arts at Howard Payne University. With 30 years of teaching experience, including 11 years at HPU, Rosato brings a strong background in education, teacher preparation, higher education administration, and Christian liberal arts learning to his work with students and faculty.
Rosato teaches EDU 3300: Philosophical & Psychological Foundations, EDU 3301: Teaching & Learning I, and GEN 1101: University Seminar for Education students. While he enjoys all of his courses because of his love for teaching, he especially values Teaching & Learning I. In that course, students begin applying what they have learned about the profession and take important steps toward becoming effective classroom teachers.
One of the aspects Rosato values most about teaching at HPU is the opportunity to integrate his devotion to Christ into his lessons. He appreciates being part of a university community where faith is central to both academic and personal development. He also values working alongside colleagues who share a commitment to Jesus Christ and to the mission of Christian higher education.
Rosato is passionate about preparing future educators because he sees teaching as an opportunity to help students recognize, develop, and strengthen the gifts and talents they have been given. He considers it a privilege to help future teachers grow into confident, capable, and compassionate first-year educators who are ready to serve students well from the beginning of their careers.
Rosato earned a Bachelor of Arts in History with secondary teaching certification from Carson-Newman College, a Master of Education in Teaching & Learning from Texas Wesleyan College, and a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from Indiana University. His academic background reflects his long-term interest in both classroom teaching and the broader work of developing strong educational institutions and programs.
His scholarly and professional work includes service on the editorial board of the Teaching with Compassion, Competence and Commitment Journal from 2007 to 2009. He also coauthored the white paper Christian Liberal Arts Education with Dr. Rose Johnson. In addition, he served as editor of Knowledge, Worldviews, and Education: A Guidebook for Professional, Personal, and Academic Assessment. His doctoral dissertation, An Investigation of the Choice Stage for a Post-Secondary Educational Institution, further reflects his experience in higher education research and administration.
Outside of the classroom, Rosato enjoys spending time with his family, participating in church activities such as small groups and D-Groups, woodworking, and jogging. He is involved with Coggin Avenue Baptist Church.
Rosato and his wife, Kim, are especially grateful that all five of their adult children continue to have an abiding faith in the Lord Jesus. Through his teaching, leadership, faith, and mentorship, Rosato seeks to help HPU students become outstanding educators who lead with competence, compassion, purpose, and a Christ-centered commitment to others.
