Institute for Sustainable Solutions Staff
Jennifer Allen
Director
503-725-9940 | jhallen@pdx.edu
Jennifer provides strategic direction and oversight for all of ISS’ initiatives and programs. She works closely with staff and other members of the PSU community to ensure sustainability programs have the greatest possible impact for students, faculty, and community partners. As an associate professor in the Hatfield School of Government, Jennifer also teaches graduate courses in environmental and natural resource policy. She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Public Policy from George Mason University, a Master of Environmental Management from Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Yale University. When not avidly supporting PSU’s sustainability efforts, Jennifer is likely to be found walking her dogs, kayaking with her husband, hiking, biking, or reading mystery novels.
Fletcher Beaudoin
Assistant Director
503-784-5981 | beaudoin@pdx.edu
Fletcher develops interdisciplinary and cross-sector partnerships that provide faculty and students opportunities to connect with sustainability issues in the community. He assists with strategic planning for sustainability research and funding, manages a regional partnership of organizations focused on ecosystem services, and advises for a variety of campus-level sustainability initiatives. He holds a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy and Energy Policy from Columbia University. When he’s not collaborating on how to make the Northwest even greener, Fletcher can be found brewing beer, sprinting on the soccer field, or biking around Portland.
Scott Shlaes
Director of Development for Sustainability Initiatives
503-725-2998 | shlaes@pdx.edu
Scott works to support sustainability efforts across the university by identifying programmatic resource needs and creating and implementing funding plans. This work allows Scott to connect the priorities of philanthropic individuals, foundations, and corporations with those of PSU. Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Wooster, and enjoys spending time with his family, hiking the wonders of the Pacific Northwest, as well as cooking for friends and family.
Christina Williams
Communications Director
503-725-9982 | christina.williams@pdx.edu
Christina works to broadcast far and wide the many stories that illustrate Portland State University’s cross-discipline excellence in sustainability. She directs communication strategy for the Institute for Sustainable Solutions alongside its many partners both on and off campus. Christina has a Master of Journalism from the University of California Berkeley and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California Santa Cruz. When not plotting ways to turn up the volume on sustainability at PSU, Christina enjoys reading, writing, and exploring the world with her sweet son and taking part in all the typical Portlandian pursuits—camping, hiking, eating, drinking, and holding forth on a range of topics with good friends.
Laura Gleim
Communications Coordinator
503-725-2699 | lgleim@pdx.edu
Laura works with students, faculty, staff, and community partners to promote awareness of Portland State’s diverse sustainability initiatives and opportunities. She manages the ISS website and e-newsletter, writes and edits articles and blogs, promotes sustainability events and opportunities, and develops print and digital outreach materials. Laura recently completed a Master of Arts in Writing and Publishing at Portland State and holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Fine Arts from the University of New Mexico. When she’s not sharing the stories of the people and programs that make sustainability a reality at PSU, she enjoys exploring different cultures and landscapes, hiking, biking, baking oatmeal cookies, sipping red wine, and reading well-edited books.
Angela Hamilton
Education and Student Programs Coordinator
725-2673 | ahamilt@pdx.edu
Angela bridges academic and cocurricular sustainability leadership initiatives at Portland State. She coordinates the Solutions Generator program, which provides sustainability leadership education and funding for student-led sustainability projects on campus and in the community, and collaborates with departments across campus to more deeply embed sustainability into the culture of PSU. Angela holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Policy with a specialization in Leadership for Sustainability Education from Portland State University. She nourishes her soul through meaningful connections, especially those shared over Portland delicacies like direct-trade coffee, microbrews, artisanal chocolates, and sunshine.
Heather Spalding
Sustainability Leadership and Outreach Coordinator
503-725-5598 | hspaldin@pdx.edu
Heather oversees the Sustainability Leadership Center (SLC), a department that bridges student life and sustainability at PSU. Through events, partnerships, field trips, and programs such as the Sustainability Volunteer Program and the EcoRep Program, the SLC offers a variety of hands-on learning opportunities for students. Heather also works to integrate sustainability into PSU’s Enrollment Management and Student Affairs division. She has a Bachelor of Science from Portland State University and is a candidate for a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Policy with a specialization in Leadership for Sustainability Education. When not collaborating to create culture shifts at PSU, Heather can be found gardening, reading, writing, thinking about systems, creating art, hiking, practicing yoga, and taking care of her ducks.
Jacob Sherman
Undergraduate Research, Engagement, and Creative Activities Coordinator
503-725-9120 | jsherman@pdx.edu
Jacob works within PSU's University Studies program to support the development of community-based sustainability research and curricula and foster partnerships between PSU and the local community. He holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Policy with a specialization in Leadership for Sustainability Education and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Portland State University. An avid believer in the adage that a small group of dedicated people can indeed change the world, Jacob actively involves himself in efforts to enhance the community. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the PSU Alumni Association and is the Vice-Chair of his neighborhood association. As a fifth generation Oregonian, Jacob enjoys hiking, backpacking, and calling Portland home with his wife and son.
Elizabeth Lloyd-Pool
Program Administrator
503-725-8556 | elloyd@pdx.edu
Beth manages ISS’ internal operations and programs to promote sustainability research and education across the campus and community. A PSU graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Finance, she has over 10 years of experience working at the University. She administers the Graduate Certificate in Sustainability, manages various funding opportunities for faculty and students, and helps develop strategic planning and assessment of sustainability initiatives. When she’s not gastronomically musing at a local restaurant, Beth is out hiking, camping, and enjoying the great outdoors with her family.
Tania Hoode
Program Assistant
503-725-9940 | thoode@pdx.edu
Tania provides administrative support for the Institute’s internal operations, making sure that details behind the scenes are completed in a timely manner. She also offers a friendly face at our front desk and keeps the office running smoothly. Tania holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from The Evergreen State College and is a Certified Sustainable Building Advisor (CSBA). In her spare time, Tania enjoys spending time with her husband and friends, gardening, reading, walking, camping, taking outdoor photos, and occasionally beading and playing guitar.
Dawn Larson
Financial Director
503-516-4105 | larsondm@pdx.edu
Dawn manages financial budgeting and reporting, human resources, and targeted program funding for the Institute. Her primary focus is working with ISS staff to budget, manage, and report on the Miller Foundation gift, which includes a matching component to support sustainability initiatives at PSU. Dawn also works closely with the Research and Strategic Partnerships (RSP) Office at PSU to advance research initiatives by assisting faculty with proposal development and award implementation. She has a Master of Science and Technology from Oregon Health and Sciences University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Business Administration from Michigan State University. In addition to spending time at PSU with forward-thinking faculty, staff, and students, Dawn can be found gardening, traveling, knitting, parenting college-aged kids, and hanging out with her Chihuahuas.
Students and Young Professionals
Monica Cuneo
Graduate Assistant, Food Systems
mcuneo@pdx.edu
Monica works with food systems stakeholders both on campus and in the community to investigate the possibility of creating a food systems degree or certificate program at Portland State. She is also co-coordinating a series of food justice dialogues aimed at engaging the local community. Monica holds a Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis on Sustainable Agriculture Theory, Practice, and Policy from The Evergreen State College, and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at Portland State. When not at ISS or class, she is busy at Oregon Public Health Institute working on the Healthy Damascus Food Plan and at the United Way as project manager of the 2013-14 grants making process. That leaves just enough time for homework, cooking and eating delicious foods with friends, bike riding, movie watching, cat snuggling, and the occasional hike in the woods.
Emily Dietrich
Graduate Assistant, Cascadia Ecosystem Services Partnership
demily@pdx.edu
Emily supports the Cascadia Ecosystem Services Partnership (CaESP) by collecting and sharing information about ecosystem services projects in the region, coordinating meetings and events, and facilitating communication among partners. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Northeastern University, and is currently pursuing a Master of Environmental Management at Portland State. Outside of work, Emily likes to spend time running, backpacking, and enjoying the great coffee, beer, and food options available in Portland.
Ellen Dorsey
Sustainability Professional Apprentice
edorsey@pdx.edu
Ellen supports regional natural resource management and urban sustainability initiatives as part of the new Young Sustainability Professional Apprenticeship Program at ISS. She is working to advance the coal transport debate in the Northwest, helping to convene a forum about the future of Oregon’s forests, and assisting the ISS team in designing a collaborative convening process focused on urban sustainability issues. Ellen recently received a Master of Urban and Regional Planning and a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from Portland State University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from the University of Vermont. When she’s not planning for a sustainable future, you can find Ellen enjoying the local music scene, snowboarding, “playing” the fiddle, running in the park, practicing yoga, or hiking in the mountains.
Research Professors
Rebecca McLain
Research Assistant Professor
971-570-3294 | mclainrj@pdx.edu
Rebecca studies the effects of forest management practices on human and natural communities. She is currently exploring GIS techniques for mapping cultural values associated with Pacific Northwest ecosystems, and is studying the policy barriers to integrating non-timber forest products into urban ecosystem management. Rebecca has a Ph.D. from the University of Washington’s College of Forestry, a Master of Science in Land Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Texas-Austin. When not working, Rebecca enjoys gathering fruit and firewood in southeast Portland, picking wild mushrooms in the Cascades, and reading detective novels.
Sean Gordon
Research Assistant Professor
503-808-2698 | sean.gordon@pdx.edu
Sean studies the design and use of information systems for supporting natural resource decisions. His current work involves developing assessment and prioritization models for the Northwest Forest Plan and the Integrated Landscape Assessment Project. He is also studying how natural resource data is used in landscape and urban decision making, and teaches a course on urban ecology for the PSU Honors program. Sean has a Ph.D. from the Oregon State College of Forestry, as well as a Master of Environmental Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Computer Science from Yale University. When not working, Sean cheers his son’s soccer team, jogs with his dog, and imagines getting back into gardening.
