Hatfield Highlights - Fall Newsletter

What's New in the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government

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Message From the Director

Masami Nishishiba headshot

Dear Friends of the Hatfield School,

As we navigate this academic year, we find ourselves in a period of challenge and change. Like many institutions, our University is facing significant financial pressures, and the recent budget adjustments have impacted all of us. These challenges are not easy, and I want to acknowledge the uncertainty and concerns they bring.

Despite these difficulties, I am continually inspired by the resilience and dedication of our students, faculty, and staff. This issue of our newsletter highlights the remarkable achievements across the Hatfield School, from groundbreaking research addressing critical societal issues to impactful community engagement initiatives and recent awards. Our team continues to demonstrate the power of public service and the strength of our shared mission.

These successes are a testament to the hard work and commitment of our entire community. They remind us that despite the obstacles we face, our work remains essential, and our impact is real. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together, and I look forward to building on this momentum in the months ahead.

You might also notice a new look for our newsletter. I am pleased to introduce Webby Irfan, a first-year MPP student, who has taken charge of this issue’s design. A big welcome and thank you to Webby for her fantastic work. If you have any feedback on the new format, please let us know at government@pdx.edu.

I hope you enjoy the November 2024 issue of Hatfield Highlights: What’s New at the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government.

Sincerely,
Masami Nishishiba, Ph.D.
Director, Mark O. Hatfield School of Government

Events & Community Engagement

Center for Women's Leadership Trip to Washington DC

Jessica Mole Heilman on left

Co-Directors Jessica Mole Heilman and Vicki Reitenauer joined the NEW Leadership Partners Summit hosted by Rutgers University to build a national network across 16 states, enhancing leadership programs and practices.

Jessica extended her trip to Washington, DC, meeting with Oregon congressional staff, Hatfield School Advisory Board Member Mark Van De Water, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and reconnecting with partners like EMPA Alum Nick Burton and NEW Leadership Oregon Alum Ruby Ramirez.

These efforts support the launch of a new Gender, Leadership, and Policy Cohort, addressing the caregiving crisis with hybrid programming in Oregon and a capstone trip to DC during Women’s History Month.

Jessica also presented on equity in leadership at the 2024 NASPAA National Conference.

Public Service Recognition Ceremony

Group smiling in front of powerpoint

The recent Public Service Ceremony celebrated innovative community engagement, featuring a panel discussion with distinguished leaders:

Dr. Jackie Dingfelder, former Oregon State Senator and House Representative, who has been instrumental in environmental policy and community development.

Reed Brodersen, Chief Deputy City Auditor for the City of Portland, overseeing audits that enhance transparency and accountability in city operations.

Michaela Canete, Policy Analyst for the City of Hillsboro, focusing on policies that promote inclusive community growth.

Charlie Kawasaki, Board Member of the Technology Association of Oregon, advocating for technological advancements that benefit the community.

Their collective insights underscore the importance of collaborative efforts between governmental bodies, technological sectors, and educational institutions like Portland State University in engaging community development and making this city better for everyone.

Understanding the expertise these individuals brought to the panel was moving and inspiring, highlighting the amazing work done, and the hopeful work yet to accomplish. They showed that anything is possible and Portland awaits more blossoming individuals that will pave the path for a better tomorrow.

Denying the Deniers: A Citizen's Guide to Identifying and Countering Election Misinformation

group listening to panel discussion

PSU and the Elections & Voting Information Center welcomed Dr. Lisa Bryant and Dr. Mara Suttmannn-Lea, both 2024-2026 Andrew Carnegie Fellows. Along with Phil Keisling, Chair of the National Vote at Home Institute, and former Oregon Secretary of State, and former director of the PSU Center for Public Service, who joined the electrifying discussion. The panel was moderated by our very own Dr. Paul Manson, research assistant professor with the PSU Center for Public Service.

The event was centered around the conversation amongst the panelists about the misinformation about elections and how election officials and voters can be educated to identify and counter this issue.

Young Leaders from SE Asia Completed 5-week Leadership Development Program

Group of students posing

CPS hosted the third year of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) at PSU, where 25 young fellows from 11 Southeast Asian nations participated in a four-week program focused on civic engagement.

They attended lectures, site visits, and volunteer activities, gaining insights into mindful leadership and community engagement. The program concluded with fellows presenting action plans in New York and Washington, D.C., fostering a deeper understanding of compassionate leadership.

Click here to read more.

Publications & Presentations

Dr. Richard Clucas - Professor of Politics and Global Affairs

Clucas, R. A, (2024) “Arts and Culture Report,” in Oregon2050 Project edited by Megan Horst. Oregon State University Press.

Clucas, R. A, (2024) “Oregon Government and Politics,” in Oregon2050 Project edited by Megan Horst. Oregon State University Press.

Click here to read more

Dr. Rafeel Wasif - Assistant Professor of Public Administration

Wasif, R., Siddiqui, S. A., & Hughes, M. A. (Forthcoming Fall 2024). Understanding Muslim Philanthropy. Edward Elgar Publishing.

Click here to read more

Wasif, R., Siddiqui, S., & Samad, A. (Forthcoming Fall 2024). Nonprofit Collaborations in Diverse Communities Challenges and Opportunities in Muslim-led Organizations. Edward Elgar Publishing.

Click here to read more

Dr. Hal Nelson - Associate Professor of Public Administration

Nelson, H. T., Reynolds, P., & Jewett, B. W. (2024). "The Carbon Crater: Comparing Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gas Emissions to Historical Planetary Events". The Anthropocene Review.

Click here to read more

Recent Accomplishments

Paul Manson - Research Assistant Professor with Center for Public Service - Read more

Theodore J. Lowi Policy Studies Journal Best Article Award

Paul and co-author Chris Koski (Reed College) were recently awarded the Theodore J. Lowi Policy Studies Journal Best Article Award for their 2023 article entitled, “Policy design receptivity and target populations: A social construction framework approach to climate change policy.” The article explores public attitudes towards various climate change policy options, and assesses who should be responsible for taking action. The research used a survey experiment that presented different framings of who would be asked to pay for the costs, and who would enjoy the benefits of these policies. The research found variation based on these target populations and importantly finds an appetite among the public to regulate powerful groups in order to address climate change.

Anis Zaman - Doctoral Student, Public Affairs and Policy PhD Program

Oregon Sylff Fellowship for International Research for 2024/2025

The Sylff program supports doctoral students at Portland State, Oregon State, and the University of Oregon who demonstrate strong leadership potential in international affairs. It awards $15,000 scholarships to about seven students annually, funding graduate research and projects with an international focus to foster leaders who can bridge global divides and drive social change.

Rafeel Wasif - Assistant Professor of Public Administration - Read more

Emerging Scholar Award from the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA)

ARNOVA is the main national body of nonprofit research in the US and abroad and this Emerging Scholar Fund "recognizes the potential of the next generation of nonprofit scholars and practitioners.”

Shane Day - Associate Professor of Public Administration - Read more

2024-2025 APSA-Sponsored Congressional Fellows

Professor Day specializes in indigenous policy, natural resource management, and federalism. He is currently collaborating with the U.S. Department of Interior to develop evaluation tools for federal-tribal co-stewardship agreements under Joint Secretarial Order 3403

Thien-Kim - Doctoral Student & Graduate Research Assistant National Policy Consensus Center - Read more

Predoctoral fellowship from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA)

Thien-Kim received a $180,000 USDA-NIFA fellowship to complete her dissertation on water conflict and collaboration in Oregon's Upper Klamath Basin. Using innovative participatory mapping with quilting, her research will help facilitate civil discussions on water use, supporting PSU's National Policy Consensus Center's work on water policy in Oregon.

Thank you for reading!

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