MPA Faculty & Staff
Faculty Dedicated to Student Learning
The MPA faculty are experienced teachers. Many have significant experience working in the public sector prior to coming to Evergreen. Some teach and do research full-time; some are still practitioners in local public agencies and nonprofits; some are involved in community service, training, research, and/or consulting.
Faculty are drawn to Evergreen because they love teaching. They are interested in the process of learning and they want to work with students in an environment that rewards that interest. They see themselves as members of a learning community, and they value what they learn from our students as much as what the students come to learn from them. Students should expect a lot of interaction with program faculty--you will come to know them well, and they will know you and your work. As a result, our faculty often mentor our graduates long after they complete the program.
If you would like more information about our faculty, such as phone extensions, office locations, personal websites, etc., visit the Faculty Directory. You can also email members of our faculty and staff by clicking on their names below. Adjunct faculty can be contacted through the Associate MPA Coordinator.
MPA Faculty
Joan Bantz, B.A., Business Administration, Seattle University, 1985; M.P.A., The Evergreen State College, 1993. Joan had a distinguished career in state health care policy in Washington and Oregon prior to coming to Evergreen. Joan teaches courses that include public policy, health policy and administration, healthy communities, leadership and ethics and cultural competencies. Her research and consulting interests include leadership, health and health care, healthcare reform and administration. She currently is a faculty advisor to the MPA Alumni Association
Bruce Davies, B.A., History of Ideas, Wesleyan University, 1974; J.D., University of Denver, Storm College of Law, 1979. Bruce is admitted to the Colorado, Alaska, and Washington State Bars. Before coming to Evergreen he worked as a Policy Analyst for the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, where his primary role was to help preserve tribal treaty rights to fish. Bruce's work has been at all levels in Indian country, for national advocacy groups, and for regional organizations (Alaska Native villages, Tribal governments).
Laurance R. Geri, B.A., Economics, University of Washington, 1980; M.P.A., Policy Analysis and Evaluation, George Washington University, 1982; D.P.A., University of Southern California, 1996. Larry's research interests include international administration, nonprofit administration, public finance, and organizational change. In Spring 2005 he was the College's Kobe Exchange Faculty in Kobe, Japan.
Amy Gould, B.A., Planning, Public Policy and Management with a minor in Women's Studies, University of Oregon, 1997; M.S., Public Affairs, University of Oregon, 2000; Ph.D. Political Science, Northern Arizona University, 2005. Amy has worked in various public organizations, most recently as an Appeals Officer/Special Projects Manager in Parking and Shuttle Services at Northern Arizona University. Her research interests include culture and the internal dynamics of public organizations; leadership and decision making processes; Federal, state and tribal constitutions; and managing change within non-profit organizations.
Cheryl Simrell King, MPA Director. B.A., Psychology/Sociology, University of Texas, 1981; M.A., Experimental/Testing Psychology, University of Colorado, 1987; Ph.D., Public Administration, University of Colorado, 1992. Cheryl's current teaching, research and consulting interests include democratic governance, alternatives for public and nonprofit management, government performance, community development, and tribal community/economic development.
Alan Parker, B.A., Philosophy, St. Thomas Seminary, 1964; J.D., University of California, Los Angeles, 1972. Alan has been Director of Northwest Indian Applied Research Institute since 1999. He was President of American Indian National Bank, 1982-87; Staff Director and Chief Counsel of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, 1977-81 and 1987-91; and he currently serves as one of the lead faculty in the Tribal Governance track of the MPA program.
Nita Rinehart, B.A., English Literature, Southern Methodist University, 1962; B.A., Music, Southern Methodist University, 1965; J.D., University of Washington, 1990; Certificate of Government, JFK School of Government, Harvard, 1990. Nita was a Member of Washington Legislature for sixteen years and served as Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Currently she serves as faculty liaison to the Evergreen MPA Advisory Board and faculty advisor to the MPA Alumni Association.
MPA Adjunct and Occasional Faculty
- Mary Campbell, Adjunct Faculty; formerly Special Assistant for Quality and Performance to Washington Governors Locke and Gregoire
- Sharon Curley, Adjunct Faculty; Human Services Director, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
- Dick Cushing, Adjunct Faculty; Vice President, Waldron & Company
- Stuart Elway, Adjunct Faculty; President, Elway Research, Inc.
- Karen Fraser, Adjunct Faculty; Washington State Senator
- Colleen Gillespie, Adjunct Faculty; Financial Consultant, Smith Barney
- Joan LaFrance, Adjunct Faculty; independent consultant, Mekinak Consulting
- Russ Lehman, Adjunct Faculty; Managing Director, First American Education Project
- T.S. (Steve) Marshall; Adjunct Faculty, President, T.S. Marshall & Associates
- Helena Meyer-Knapp, Member of the Evergreen Faculty
- Sylvie McGee, Adjunct Faculty; Principal, All For A Good Cause Consulting
- Michael Mucha, Adjunct Faculty; Director of Public Works, City of Olympia
- Pam Peters, Adjunct Faculty; Human Resources Director, Nisqually Indian Tribe
- Michael Shadow, Adjunct Faculty; trainer/coach in persuasive communication, Shadow & Associates
- Marcee Stiltner, Adjunct Faculty; Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, Radius
- Faith Trimble, Adjunct Faculty; President and principal consultant, FLT Consulting
- Jeanne Ward, Adjunct Faculty; President, Ward Consulting
MPA Staff
Randee Gibbons, Associate MPA Director
(360) 867-6554
Lab 1, Room 3024
Maggie McCarty, Assistant Director, MPA Tribal Governance Track
(360) 867-6202
Lab 1, Room 3020
Nan Mick, Lead Secretary
(360) 867-6707
Lab 1, Room 3019
Lee Stellmacher, Secretary
(360) 867-6707
Lab 1, Room 3019