In a heartfelt and insightful interview, Dr. Craig Shinn who is a longtime professor at Portland State University's Mark O. Hatfield School of Government reflected on the recent suspension of the university's Ph.D. program in public administration and policy. A decision he calls the “end of an era,” the closure marks the conclusion of what he describes as one of the most unexpected and fulfilling chapters of his career.
A Career Shaped by Passion and Practice
Dr. Shinn did not originally set out to work with doctoral students. With a background in forestry and a career that evolved through public administration and applied research, he found his calling while teaching mid-career professionals in the MPA program at Seattle University. It was their real-world insights that challenged theoretical assumptions and ignited his interest in applied academic work. This path led him to Portland State, where he began advising Ph.D. students after the program was revived in the late 1990s.
Over the years, Dr. Shinn became a cornerstone of the doctoral program. He rewrote core courses, served as director, and mentored over 50 Ph.D. students. For him, doctoral education wasn't about producing replicas of himself—it was about helping students pursue their own intellectual journeys, often grounded in practice.
On the Closure of the Program
The recent decision to suspend the Ph.D. program weighed heavily on Dr. Shinn. “This has been a remarkable gift,” he said, noting that doctoral advising became the driving force in his decision to remain at Portland State, even turning down an endowed chair at another institution.
He emphasized the unique value the program brought: “We built theory from empirical settings, real-world examples, and then used that to explain generalized cases. That’s where our leverage and impact came from.”
The Diverse Paths of Doctoral Students
Dr. Shinn’s mentorship style nurtured a diverse array of scholars ranging from early-career academics to seasoned professionals and military officers transitioning into public service. He shared stories of students like:
- Kelly Sherbo, a lawyer who became a leading figure in special district governance. Her dissertation led to the creation of a unique infrastructure-focused special district in Oregon.
- Chris Davis, whose award-winning dissertation on port district leadership styles earned national recognition.
- Deb Whitehall, a Forest Service hydrologist who transitioned into public administration to better understand the human side of policy, eventually becoming a national expert in social network analysis.
- Chris Page, whose experience with the Army Corps of Engineers' leadership program led him to PSU, where he conducted pioneering work in environmental governance and tribal relations.
Each story underscored Dr. Shinn’s central belief: that doctoral education should empower students to integrate theory and practice to address real-world problems.
Dr. Shinn’s Approach to Interdisciplinarity
Dr. Shinn’s own academic journey is a testament to interdisciplinary thinking. With degrees in forestry, public administration, and sociology, he built a career blending environmental science, civic engagement, governance, and applied policy. His ability to bridge these fields allowed him to mentor students working on issues ranging from environmental sustainability and special district governance to criminal justice and education reform.
“I’ve always been more of an integrator,” he explained. “I partner with others who have rigorous training, and together we generate creative tension that leads to new knowledge.”
On the Future of Public Administration at PSU
While Dr. Shinn acknowledges the program’s suspension is a setback, he remains hopeful. He sees potential in anchoring future doctoral work more closely with PSU’s centers and institutes, where students can engage in applied research from day one. He advocates for a political economy approach grounded in real-world practice, something he believes could once again make PSU’s offerings distinctive on the national stage.
“The rules of the game in the economy are determined in the political arena. We need to understand those rules and teach our students how to navigate and shape them.”
Dr. Shinn’s impact can be felt not just in the research produced, but in the leadership his students now provide across government agencies, nonprofits, and academic institutions. Whether working in city government, the U.S. Forest Service, or federal policy think tanks, his students carry forward the integrative, grounded, and passionate approach that he championed.
“It’s been a remarkable ride,” he said. “And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that practice and theory need each other. That’s where real change happens.”