Executive Seminar Program Faculty and Staff

Each seminar session is based on individual speakers and panels who are connected to the case study. The faculty assembles the relevant experts and perspectives to provide the full picture of the case study. These presenters are assembled by the Program Manager and the Academic Lead.

Mike Crouse, Program Manager

Executive Seminar Program

After his retirement from federal service, Mike took over as ESP program director for the 2008-2009 seminar. Mike has worked for several federal agencies during his 36-year career as a field biologist, researcher and most recently as an assistant Northwest regional administrator with the National Marine Fisheries Service. He has also served on the program's board of directors for several years. Mike has a B.S. degree in biology and a M.S. degree in fisheries biology from Oregon State University.

Craig Shinn, Professor of Public Administration and Academic Lead, Executive Seminar Program 

Dr. Craig W. Shinn (B.S., University of Maine; M.P.A., Lewis & Clark College; Ph.D., University of Washington) is the Director of the Public Administration & Policy Doctoral Program and he coordinates environmental and natural resource programs in the Hatfield School of Government. He was a Research Program Leader in the Forest Research Division of Crown Zellerback Corporation for eight years before beginning an academic career.  After five years working in sustainable natural research development with international non-government organization, Dr. Shinn began teaching first at Seattle University and Portland State University. In 1992, he joined the faculty at Lewis and Clark College as an Assistant Professor of Public Administration with responsibility for environmental and natural resource programs.  When the program was transferred to PSU in 1996, Dr. Shinn chose to join the faculty in the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government in the College of Urban and Public Affairs.

Christine Hanolsy, Program Coordinator

Natural Resources Programs

An east-coast native, Christine received her BA in Russian/East European Studies and Music Composition, as well as her MA in Russian, from Middlebury College in Vermont . She has spent a total of two academic years in Russia (Smolensk and Moscow) studying Russian language and literature; she also spent a year in Copenhagen, Denmark, as an AFS exchange student. She speaks Russian well, but her Danish has suffered somewhat from lack of practice.  She moved to Portland in August of 2001. For four years she worked at the World Affairs Council of Oregon, where she managed a US State Department-sponsored professional development program for groups of visitors from the former Soviet Union. In September of 2006 she joined the ELI staff as the Program Coordinator for the Natural Resources Portfolio, which includes the Executive Seminar Program, the Leadership Development Program for the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Natural Resource Policy, Values and Economics Seminar, the Introduction to Collaborative Governance workshop, and the Watershed Management Professional Program.

Jennifer Schmid, Program Coordinator

Executive Seminar Program

After studying pre-med at Clackamas Community College, Jenny went to work as Office specialist for Dr. Stephen Weil in Lake Oswego where she enjoyed seven years coordinating the front office until his retirement. In October of 2007, Jenny joined the staff at the Executive Leadership Institute as Office Coordinator.  Her responsibilities include logistics support for the staff and faculty, monthly budget reconciliation, travel arrangements and scheduling. Currently she is supporting the Executive Seminar Program and National Policy Process seminar in Washington, D.C. ensuring the logistical aspects of program delivery. Jenny loves hiking, camping and spending time at the Oregon coast with her husband, and two teenage daughters.  She is also team parent for her oldest daughter's lacrosse team and for her younger daughter's soccer team.  Her oldest daughter will be graduated from Rex Putnam in spring 2010 and is continuing her education at Portland State University.