shena r. ashley - Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs ...

Curriculum Vitae
SHENA R. ASHLEY
Maxwell School of Syracuse University, Department of Public Administration
215 Eggers Hall Syracuse, NY 13244: Phone 315-443-2656
Fax 315-443-1075: Email shashley@syr.edu
______________________________________________________________________________________
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
August 2009-present Assistant Professor, Department of Public Administration
Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
August 2007- August 2009 Assistant Professor, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
FIELDS OF SPECIALIZATION
Nonprofit/Philanthropic Studies
Organizational Performance
Evaluation and Performance Measurement
Community Economic Development/ Community Change
COURSES TAUGHT
Nonprofit Leadership and Governance (graduate level)
Introduction to Nonprofits (graduate level)
Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector (undergraduate level)
Research Methods and Statistics (graduate level)
The Public Policy Process (undergraduate level)
EDUCATION
2007 Ph.D., Public Policy, Georgia State University/Georgia Tech
Dissertation: Overcoming the Do-Gooder Fallacy: Organizational Determinants of the Adoption of
Effectiveness Practices by Philanthropic Foundations
2003 M.S., Public Policy, University of Michigan
2001 B.S., Agricultural Business, Tennessee State University
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Academic/Research
Annie E. Casey Foundation, Atlanta Civic Site Atlanta, GA
Director of Research and Policy January 2006-January 2009
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Managed a research team of five individuals located in multiple cities. Designed and executed evaluation
projects for initiatives in middle school reform, early learning, workforce development and community
development. Created innovative network model for community engagement. Implemented the adoption of
the Results Based Accountability framework throughout the organization.
Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA
Graduate Research Assistant/Project Manager 2004-2006
Managed a research team of graduate and undergraduate students on a multi-year NSF funded research
project concerning the advancement of women in science. Skills developed: survey design, sampling,
survey implementation and multi-level data analysis.
Georgia State University Atlanta, GA
Graduate Research Assistant 2003- 2004
Conducted quantitative and qualitative research for Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta funded
project exploring African American Philanthropy in Atlanta.
University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI
Research Associate/Project Manager, Center for Economic Diversification 2001- 2003
Managed a research team of graduate and undergraduate students on a multi-year study of the availability
and accessibility of grocery stores in inner city Detroit. Skills developed: project management and
Geographic Information Systems analysis.
Public Service
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service St. Paul, MN
Agricultural Economist, Water Resources Planning Staff 1999-2004
Conducted cost-benefit and cost effectiveness analyses as part of team investigating the feasibility of small
watershed dam projects throughout Minnesota
PUBLICATIONS (peer reviewed)
Published
Strategies for Engaging African Americans in Philanthropy American Review of Public Administration
September 2007 (lead article). David Van Slyke and Janet Johnson, co-authors.
Accepted
The Diffusion Process: Implications for Evaluation. Special edition of New Directions in Evaluation.
Under Review
Ashley, Shena and Lewis Faulk (2009) Nonprofit Competition in the Philanthropic Marketplace: Exploring
the Relationship Between Nonprofit Financial Health and Grant Amount
Ashley, Shena and Lewis Faulk (2008) Conceptualizing Philanthropic Risk: Toward A Methodology for
Risk in Philanthropy
Ashley, Shena (2008) The Role of Proximity in Philanthropic Giving
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In Preparation
Ashley, Shena (2008) An Analysis of the Rural/Urban Divide in Georgia Philanthropy
Redistributive Patterns of Private Philanthropy vs. Government Grantmaking
Understanding Differences between Family Foundation and Independent Foundation Giving Behavior: A
Principle-Agent Approach. Jasmine McGinnis, co-author
Developing a Model of Institutional Transformation in Higher Education: The Case of Georgia Tech
ADVANCE Program Mary Frank Fox, co-author.
An Organizational Perspective on Foundation Bias Toward Operating Grant Support.
Elite Philanthropy Networks in a Local Grants Economy: Who’s In and Who’s Out? Jasmine McGinnis,
co-author
RESEARCH REPORTS
Nonprofit Georgia: Geographic Distribution. Report prepared for the Nonprofit Studies Program at the
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. December 2008. Janet Johnson, co-Principal Investigator
Nonprofit Georgia at a Glance. Report prepared for the Nonprofit Studies Program at the Andrew Young
School of Policy Studies. November 2007. Janet Johnson, co-Principal Investigator
The 2005 Metro Atlanta Tri-Jurisdictional Collaborative Homeless Survey Report. Report prepared for
Pathways Community Network. October 2005. Janet Johnson, co-author.
African American Philanthropy in Metro Atlanta. Report prepared for the Community Foundation of
Greater Atlanta. May 2004. Janet Johnson and David Van Slyke, co-authors.
RESEARCH FUNDING
2008- 2009
Nonprofit Academic Centers Council David Stevenson Award ($15,000)
Principal Evaluator, United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta Strengthening Families Project ($30,000)
Principal Evaluator, Parent Engagement and Policy Initiative Project ($20,000)
Project Manager, Performance Measurement Pilot for the East Lake Foundation ($26,600)
Principal Evaluator, Annie E. Casey Foundation Community Building Initiative Atlanta, GA ($28,000)
Co-Principal Investigator, Nonprofit Georgia Study, Glenn Foundation ($50,000)
RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
2008 Giving Georgia Symposium in Atlanta, GA
Ashley, Shena (2008) Redistribution by Georgia Foundations
2008 ARNOVA Conference in Philadelphia, PA
Ashley, Shena and Lewis Faulk (2008) Calculated Risks: A Methodology for Risk in Philanthropy
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2008 Georgia Community Foundation Meeting
Ashley, Shena (2008) Geographic Flows of Philanthropic Resources in the State of Georgia
2007 ARNOVA Conference in Atlanta, GA
Ashley, Shena (2007) Tracking the Spread of Foundation Giving across the State of Georgia
Ashley, Shena (2007) Foundation Bias and General Operating Grant Support
2007 American Evaluation Conference in Baltimore, MD
Ashley, Shena and Monica Oliver (2007) Think Globally, Act Accountably: An Exploration of Cross-
Cutting Issues in Domestic and International Nonprofit Evaluation
2006 ARNOVA Conference in Chicago, Il.,
Ashley, Shena (2006) Foundations in Pursuit of Effective Philanthropy
2006 American Evaluation Association Conference in Portland, OR., Nov 1-4
Ashley, Shena (2006) Rational or Fashionable: Toward an Understanding of Evaluation Adoption by
Grantmaking Organizations
2005 ARNOVA Conference in Washington D.C., Nov. 17-19
Ashley, Shena and David Van Slyke, (2005) Philanthropy in the Knowledge Economy: The Incubation of
Intellectual Ideas
2005 Homeless Symposium, Atlanta, GA Nov. 2
Ashley, Shena and Janet Johnson (2005) Findings From 2005 Metro Atlanta Homeless Survey
2005 American Evaluation Association Conference in Toronto, CA, Oct. 26-29
Ashley, Shena and Monica Oliver. (2005) Bridging the Gap Between the “I” and “We’ in Focus Groups.
2004 ARNOVA Conference in Los Angeles, CA., Nov. 18-20
Ashley, Shena and David VanSlyke. (2004). Engaging African Americans in Philanthropy: The Case of
Metro Atlanta
2004 American Evaluation Association Conference in Atlanta, GA, Nov. 3-6
Ashley, Shena. (2004). The Diffusion Lens: What Counts as Success?
Panel Title: Evaluation Implications of Different Process Lenses: Knowledge Utilization, Diffusion,
Implementation and Transfer
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
2009 Zeist Family Foundation Grantee Gathering, Atlanta, GA September 24, 2009
Presentation Title: Measuring What Matters: Using Data for Effective Decision-making
Audience: Executive Directors in Youth Serving, Arts and Human Service Organizations
2009 Dublin Business Women and Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurs Conference May 12, 2009
Presentation Title: Big Business- The Atlanta Case Study
Audience: Dublin area entrepreneurs hosted by Partas
2009 Economic Seminar Series May 15, 2009
Presentation Title: Economic Development in Georgia- Lessons for Northern Ireland
Audience: Derry Chamber of Commerce, business and civic leaders
2009 Council on Foundations Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA May 5, 2009
Presentation Title: Using Mapping Technology for Community Empowerment
Audience: Philanthropic leaders funding community change initiatives
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2009 Brunch with Benefits, Atlanta, GA March 7, 2009
Presentation Title: Social Entrepreneurship and the Lines between Nonprofit and For-Profit Enterprise
Audience: Atlanta young professionals
2008 Boston College Irish Institute
Presentation Title: Economic Development Practices and Policies
Audience: Entrepreneurship Professionals from Ireland and Northern Ireland
CONSULTING
Strategic Planning
East Lake Foundation Atlanta, GA 2009
Girls Write Now New York, NY 2009
Performance Measurement Tracking System Development
CREW Teens program Atlanta, GA 2008-2009
Drew Charter School Office of Extended Services Atlanta, GA 2008-2009
Drew Charter School Early Learning Program Atlanta, GA 2007-2009
First Tee of East Lake Program Atlanta, GA 2008
Mercy Housing at the Villages of East Lake Atlanta, GA 2008-2009
Nonami Enterprises Atlanta, GA 2009
Community Economic Development Planning and Evaluation
New Community Ventures Atlanta, GA 2009
Pittsburgh Community Improvement Association Atlanta, GA 2007
TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS
Results Based Accountability Training
Cousins Foundation Early Learning Initiative Atlanta, GA 2007
Georgia Department of Human Resources Atlanta, GA 2007
Social Network Analysis Training
Georgia State University Atlanta, GA 2008
Design Thinking Training
Design 21 st Century Dublin, Ireland 2009
FELLOWSHIPS, AWARDS, HONORS
2008 Regional Leadership Institute, Atlanta Regional Commission
(recognition for leadership roles in Atlanta community)
2008 Torch of Peace Award, Georgia State University
(recognition for service to the Atlanta nonprofit community)
2005 William Read Award, Georgia Institute of Technology
(recognition for outstanding academic performance)
2004 ARNOVA Emerging Scholars Award
(recognition for promise as a nonprofit researcher)
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PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
2009 ARNOVA Conference Submission Review Committee
2008- present ARNOVA Emerging Scholars Selection Committee
2008-present Doctoral student mentor, Institute for Teaching and Mentoring
UNIVERSITY SERVICE
2008 Faculty Advisor, American Humanics Program at Georgia State University
2007-2009 Faculty Advisor, Georgia State Chapter of Association for Fundraising Professionals
2007-2009 Core Faculty, Nonprofit Studies Program
2007-2009 Critical Thinking and Writing Ambassador in PMAP Department
2007 Department Coordinator for State Charitable Contributions Campaign
2007 Undergraduate Committee Member, PMAP Department
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Advisory Board Member for the Edgewood Community Redevelopment Plan (2008)
Advisor to the University Avenue Development Process (2007-2009)
Evaluation Advisor to the NPU-V Dirty Truth Community Organizing Campaign (2007-2009)
Member, Southeastern Network of African Americans in Philanthropy (2004-2009)
Participant in Diversity in Academia Program sponsored by the National Association of Schools of Public
Administration and Affairs (2005-2009)
Advisory Board Member for Atlanta Neighborhood Indicators; a project co-sponsored by The Community
Foundation for Greater Atlanta and the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta (2005-2009)
Advisory Board Member for Atlanta Reentry Mapping Network. Emory University Office of University-
Community Partnerships (2007)
Advisory Board Member for Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta Initiative Giving: A Shared
Inheritance (2004-2005)
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIP
American Evaluation Association (AEA)
Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Associations (ARNOVA)
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