Kathleen E. (Hannigan) Shuras was born in Milford, Massachusetts and raised in Bellingham, Ma. She began her martial arts training in American Shaolin Kempo in 1977 under then Chief Instructor Joe Shuras & James Perriera of the Fred Villari Studios in Framingham, Massachusetts. She also trained under Sensei James Domestico, a kempo instructor and Black Belt under Dr. Myung Gyi of Ohio State University. In 1980 she was a member of the professional martial arts "Demo Team", "The Black Dragons" (founded by Kempo's Joe Shuras, Bob "Satch McDaniel & Tae Kwon Do's Sam "Chuck" Longo of Hee Ill Cho & Ron Thiverige).

She continued her training under Chief Instructor Joe Shuras and Assistant Chief Instructor Bob "Satch" McDaniel of Milford Studio of Self Defense (a newly 'independant' school), where she was tested and promoted to 1st Degree Black Belt on August 7th, 1981. She continued her training, making her Nidan and Sandan under Mr. Shuras. She also trained briefly in Pai Lum Kenpo Kung Fu and Hung Gar under Sifu Anthony Stevens. Sifu Stevens was a student of SGM. Thomas St. Charles.

In the late 80's Kathy met Professor Nick Cerio from her participation in tournament competitions over many years where she had placed from first to third in both forms & sparring. She was also turning out many championship students of all ages and ranks. During this period, Kathy became a Massachusetts State Director of the United States Police Defensive Tactics Association and earned her National Police Instructor's certification after much study. Professor Cerio was the Rhode Island State Director at that time. The U.S.P.D.T.A. was founded in 1979 by Grand Master & police officer Ray Szuch of Cleveland Academy of Self Defense. She and her husband Joe were involved in the organizing & teaching of many high quality seminars for both police and civillian personnel put on across the country.

Kathy was accepted as a private student of Professor Nick Cerio and on May 19, 1992 she was tested and awarded a Yondan in the American Kenpo of Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu (Professor Cerio's original system) along with an Instructor's License. She was also awarded a Shodan ranking in Nick Cerio's Kenpo, the Professor's personal perspective of the art which he founded in 1974. Professor Kathy was personally tested & promoted by Professor Cerio in his Warwick, Rhode Island headquarters.

Kathy continued her studies but due to a change of employment and problems with work scheduling, began to study solely under the tutelage of Professor Joe Shuras. Mr. Shuras was a former private student of the late Professor Nick Cerio. On June 17, 1997 Kathy was tested and awarded the Godan rank of 5th Degree Black Belt in Milford, Massachusetts. Sadly, Professor Cerio passed away on October 7th, 1998. He will be sorely missed.

On November 1, 2001 she was bestowed with the honorable title of Shihan by Professor Joe Shuras, founder of Milford Studio of Self Defense (Feb. 6, 1978). Professor Nick Cerio bestowed upon Professor Shuras his Shihan title (Master Instructor, Teacher of Teachers) on May 19th 1992 in Warwick, R.I. Professor Cerio very rarely awarded this title. Shihan Kathy Shuras is currently co-owner and Director/Master Instructor of Milford Studio of Self Defense. She also teaches at the Blackstone Boys & Girls Club in Blackstone, Ma. She has won numerous awards over the years for her expertise of teaching children.

In 1994 Kathy, her husband Joe, Professor Nick Cerio and Professor Paula Pucino had the priviledge of attending Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu's founder, Sijo H. Victor "Sonny" Gascon's first trip to a mainland school in 30 years. He was accompanied by his brother-in-law and Karazenpo's co-founder the late Professor Walter L. N. Godin. All were guests of Sifu Bruce Corrigan at his Virginia Beach Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu school.

On April 19th, 2003, Professor Kathleen E. Shuras was promoted to the Rokkudan rank of 6th Degree Black Belt in the American Kempo of Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu by Professor Joe Shuras after six years of serious study from her 5th degree promotion. Professor Kathy had not been promoted for six years because in 'all' martial arts, not just Kenpo/Kempo, the protocol dictates that one cannot be promoted to the rank of their instructor.

At Senior Grandmaster S. George Pesare's 5th Annual Summer Beach Camp held in Rhode Island, Kathy was elevated to 7th Degree Black Belt personally by SGM. Pesare. SGM. S. George Pesare is the 'undisputed' founder Kenpo/Kempo Karate in New England (1960). He is the owner/operator of George Pesare's Kempo Karate Institute-Kaito Gakko (School of Schools - Best of the East & West) in Providence, R.I. Professor Kathy was also awarded a 7th degree Black Belt and an Instructor's Certificate personally by GGM. H. Victor 'Sonny' Gascon, founder of Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu.

On October 16, 2004, Kathy was inducted into the World Martial Arts Federation (WMAF) Hall of Fame held in Danvers, Ma. and was chosen by the WMAF as "Female Master Instructor of the Year'.

By 2006 with 29 years in the Kempo/Kenpo arts, Kathy Shuras was promoted to 8th Degree Black Belt with the title of "Professor" at a ceremony conducted by SGM. S. George Pesare held at Milford Studio of Self Defense.

Currently, Kathy Shuras holds the highly prestigious rank of 9th Degree Black Belt "Grand Master" that she shares with only four other females in in the 50 year history of SGM. S. George Pesare's Kempo Karate Institute for having shown devotion and loyalty to her art, her instructor and her students.