Winter 2024 Newsletter

CPS Newsletter - Fall 2024 Edition

Message from the Director - Study on Election Administrators - Meet the Hatfield Fellows - A Journey of Growth - Global Exchange - CTR Attends National Congress of American Indians - Leading the Charge - CPS in Action

Message from the Director

Dear Friends,

The winter quarter has been a period of both significant accomplishment and reflection for our center. These are challenging times for public institutions. The work we do, such as supporting election integrity, identifying community needs, and developing leadership skills, is vital to meet this moment. We believe that public service is a legitimate, proud, and essential calling, and we remain committed to supporting public service institutions and the people who work in them. As you'll read, our team has been deeply engaged in a range of critical areas, from strengthening democratic processes to fostering the next generation of public service leaders. We hope these highlights of our commitment to serving the public good serve as a call to action to consider how you, too, can engage!

Sincerely, Sara

Center for Public Service's director, Sara Saltzberg

CPS Study on Election Administrators: Understanding Struggles and Pathways to Reform

Over the past two years, CPS has partnered with the Elections & Voting Information Center (EVIC) to grow an election research and training program within the Hatfield School of Government. Founded in 2001 by Dr. Paul Gronke, a Professor of Political Science at Reed College and Senior Fellow with CPS, EVIC has led research on evolving election practices and challenges faced by local election offices across the US. Since 2018, EVIC and CPS Research Assistant Professor Paul Manson have collaborated on a national survey of local election officials, conducted annually except in 2021. Just before the 2024 election, the EVIC team fielded the most recent Local Election Official Survey. The survey was sent out to 3,300 offices across the US, with 659 offices responding.

Compared to past elections, the 2024 election administration experience was unremarkable, but the survey highlights concerning trends beneath the surface. In 2024, over 50% of local election officials reported being insulted over the course of their work, and 36% faced harassment, with 15% experiencing personal attacks during the past year. As a result, 30% are less likely to engage the public, and 42% have changed office policies and procedures in their offices. On a personal level, 48% of election officials know someone who has left the profession due to threats and harassment. Additionally, over 40% of officials stated that they are eligible to retire, and over half of those eligible plan to leave in the coming four years.

Another measure the study tracks is job satisfaction, which has steadily declined since 2020. Some of the core measures of job satisfaction have rapidly fallen, including their ability to balance home and work priorities, their comfort in sharing their work with others, and whether they would encourage their own child to enter their profession. This last measure has fallen by 50% since 2020. Moreover, recent shifts in federal resources, including the disbanding of federal teams supporting local election offices in defending against cyberattacks, highlight the need for state legislatures to step in and create new resources. These challenges come at a time when election work is increasingly difficult, hiring is tough, and many officials are ready to step away from work. We hope the survey draws the attention of policymakers as they develop tools to support these officials we call the Stewards of Democracy.

Full Report Here

Meet the Hatfield Fellows: Emerging Public Service Leaders

Five of this year's 15 Hatfield Resident Fellows completed their 8-month fellowship in February. The program targets postgraduate Master's and PhD students with a strong scholarship record and confirmed interest in public service, leadership, and project management. Hatfield Resident Fellows are recent graduates who have completed their degree within one year of the fellowship start. This fellowship is a rigorous, project-oriented, professional, and educational experience designed to provide each fellow with an opportunity to acquire leadership skills with a public agency in Oregon. If you are interested in learning more about how a Public Service Fellow can support your agency, please reach out to the Public Service Fellowships program team at psfellows@pdx.edu

Fellows who wrapped up their fellowship in February include:

Keili Tucker – City of Portland Bureau of Transportation

Keili Tucker is a Hatfield Resident Fellow at the City of Portland’s Bureau of Transportation (PBOT). She is focused on implementing process improvements for capital project delivery, primarily through the Quick Build Program. Passionate about expanding access to safe and sustainable transportation options, Keili is eager to apply her skills and connect with Portland’s communities through public service.

Isaiah Henry – City of Portland Ombudsman Office

Isaiah Henry recently earned his Master of Public Policy from Portland State University with a focus on Economic Development. As a Hatfield Resident Fellow with the City of Portland’s Ombudsman Office, Isaiah works on resolving daily complaints from citizens about city services and working on an overarching investigation of a broader systemic issue. He is a passionate and curious professional eager to engage with communities and contribute to meaningful policy improvements.

Molly Sandmeier – City of Portland Bureau of Technology Services

Molly Sandmeier is a Hatfield Resident Fellow with the City of Portland’s Bureau of Technology Services. She holds a master’s degree in Biostatistics from Oregon State University and previously worked in community engagement with the Oregon Health Authority’s Child and Family Behavioral Health Unit. Her current project involves developing dashboards to track the Bureau’s three-year roadmap, improving collaboration with other bureaus, partners, and city officials. A lifelong Portlander, Molly is excited to deepen her understanding of city operations.

Gabby Poccia – Metro

Gabby Poccia graduated from Oregon State University with a master’s degree in Public Policy. Originally from San Francisco, she studied urban planning, which sparked a deep passion for supporting equitable and sustainable urban environments. Gabby’s experience in San Francisco laid the foundation for her commitment to making a positive impact on communities and developing fair and just policy.

Anis Zaman – Oregon Health Authority

Anis Zaman is a Ph.D. candidate in public affairs and policy with extensive international work experience. Before pursuing his master’s in Conflict Resolution at PSU in 2017, he served as a UN peacekeeper in Liberia, working with displaced populations, refugees, and many national and international agencies. As a Hatfield Resident Fellow with the Oregon Health Authority’s Child and Family Behavioral Health Unit, he is exploring his passion for public policy and its role in driving positive societal change. Anis has received the prestigious Sylff fellowship for 2024-25 and also worked as an Oregon Summer fellow in 2023.

You can review the past project briefs by the Hatfield Resident Fellows below.

Past Project Briefs

A Journey of Growth: Graduate Assistant's CPS Experience

My name is Hafsa Shahzad, and I have had the privilege of being part of the Fellowships Program at the Center for Public Service, serving as a Graduate Administrative Assistant. I am also a student in the Master of Public Administration: Health Administration program at PSU. When I joined CPS in June 2023, I expected to gain professional experience, but what I didn’t anticipate was the incredible network of people and the sense of community that would shape my time here.

From the very beginning, CPS felt like more than just a workplace. The Fellows Institute (onboarding event) set the tone, introducing me to a group of passionate, like-minded individuals—fellows eager to make an impact and sponsors invested in our growth. The structured networking events (offboarding celebrations) became opportunities to reflect, connect, and truly appreciate the incredible ecosystem CPS has built.

One of the things I loved most was how this role balanced meaningful work with invaluable connections. Whether it was assisting with data tracking, coordinating meetings, or organizing events, every task was an opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute. The systems in place were so well-organized that even as a student, I felt equipped with the knowledge and experience needed to thrive in a professional environment.

More than anything, CPS gave me a sense of belonging. The people I met—fellows, sponsors, and colleagues—became more than just professional contacts; they became friends and mentors who encouraged and supported me.

As I prepare to graduate, I know I’m going to miss this place immensely—the work, the friendships, and the impact CPS has had on my journey. But I also know that the lessons I’ve learned and the relationships I’ve built will stay with me wherever I go.

Thank you, CPS, for an unforgettable experience

Global Exchange: CPS and Seoul Metropolitan Government Public Servants Collaborate

For the past 12 years, CPS has welcomed two to four experienced public service professionals from the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) in Korea to participate in a year of leadership development, cultural exchange, and research. Utilizing CPS Fellows, community partners, and government agencies, participants explore their research questions through lectures, interviews, and independent research. Participating in the SMG program this year are scholars Yonghee Han and Yubin Kim. Yonghee works in the Seoul Data Center, and his research is focused on how to use big data to help solve complex urban problems. Yubin works in the Cultural Policy Division of SMG, and her research explores urban public culture policies and museum management. Joined by CPS Fellow and SMG research liaison, Ivy O’Neal, Yonghee and Yubin have recently met with representatives from the City of Portland, the Portland Art Museum, and the Metro Regional Government. Each meeting has proven to be a rich exchange of knowledge and supports meaningful cross-cultural understanding.

Learn more about the Seoul Metropolitan Government program below.

Seoul Metro Government Program

Certificate in Tribal Relations Participants Attend National Congress of American Indians Winter Session

The Institute for Tribal Government and Center for Public Service in the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government offers the Certificate in Tribal Relations (CTR) course. It is designed for local, state, and federal government agencies, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and trade associations that work regularly with tribal nations and native communities.

As part of the CTR course, participants traveled to Washington, D.C., from 10th- 13th February 2025, to observe Tribal Governments in action and engage in discussions with tribal leaders and U.S. officials at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Executive Council Winter Session.

The cohort included state and federal agency staff, non-profit leaders, attorneys, and other professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of government-to-government relations with Tribal Sovereign Nations within the USA. As the complications of the U.S. administration have presented numerous challenges for tribal governments at this time, participants were able to get a deeper picture of the relationships between the U.S. Government and Tribal Nations.

Cohort members described their experience as “deeply enriching and powerful.” While some found the policy landscape “confusing” due to ongoing administrative changes, many also saw the experience as “enlightening” as they observed how tribal communities are actively shaping their futures.

Learn more about the Certificate in Tribal Relations course below.

Certificate in Tribal Relations Course

Leading the Charge: CPS Senior Fellow’s Strategic Contributions to Oregon’s Energy Future

The Oregon Energy Strategy Advisory Group is leading efforts to create the state’s first comprehensive energy strategy, bringing together diverse stakeholders—including policymakers, industry leaders, and academic experts—to develop pathways for a cleaner, more sustainable future. PSU’s Center for Public Service plays a critical role in these efforts, with our notable senior fellow Jeff Hammarlund contributing expertise in energy policy and strategic planning. Established by the state legislature and the governor, the Oregon Energy Strategy is working to identify the best pathways to achieve the state’s energy policy objectives. While most advisory group members represent traditional energy industry stakeholders, Jeff was asked to serve as the group’s informal historian and strategic advisor due to his deep knowledge of what has and has not worked in the past.

Jeff Hammarlund taught graduate courses on energy policy and administration and the national policy process at Portland State University for nearly 30 years. In conjunction with Senator Mark Hatfield, Jeff also organized and directed a series of major regional conferences. Some examined the future of the Northwest energy industry when it was experiencing a crisis. He also serves as the chair of the advisory board for the Graduate Certificate Program in Energy Policy and Management at PSU.

Jeff has been involved in shaping regional energy policy for decades and continues to serve in advisory capacities, including the Oregon Coalition for an Environmental Rights Amendment (OCERA). This coalition is working with Our Children’s Trust and many others groups to encourage the Oregon legislature to refer to the voters a new amendment to the state constitution ensuring that “all people, including children and future generations, have the inherent fundamental right to a clean, safe, and healthy environment, including but not limited to clean air, clean water, thriving ecosystems, and a stable climate system.”

You can learn more about Jeff’s work and contributions by visiting his profile below.

Jeff's Profile

CPS in Action: Winter Day of Service at Portland Children’s Book Bank

At CPS, public service is one of our core values, and we actively live this out through our quarterly Day of Service. Each term, we invite CPS staff members, student staff, faculty, and senior fellows to volunteer at a different local organization that serves the Portland Metro area. From city initiatives to nonprofits, we support a wide range of causes.

We choose a different location each term to volunteer our time. In February, five CPS team members volunteered at the Portland Children's Book Bank, where they cleaned and prepared books for donation. These books will be distributed through the Building Home Libraries program, which provides books to local preschool programs and directly to families in the community. The Portland Children’s Book Bank, in collaboration with Smart Reading, works to make home libraries accessible to children from birth through kindergarten.

If you have books for ages 0-5 years old you are interested in donating, the Children's Book Bank is accepting donations. Check out their website for more information!

Donating