Key Qualifications

The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., 2001 - present: Adjunct Professor in the Elliott School of International Affairs.

University of California, Los Angeles, 1999 - 2000: Senior Fellow and Diplomat-in-Residence at the UCLA School of Public Policy and Social Research.

Ambassador to Ethiopia, 1996 - 1999: Directed an embassy of 75 American staff and 400 Ethiopians representing six US government agencies. Initiated a public campaign against HIV/AIDS, enlisting the support of Ethiopia's President and the head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Director for East African Affairs, US Department of State, 1993 - 1996: Developed and implemented American policy for 12 countries in East Africa, the Horn of Africa and the Indian Ocean. Influenced a new policy focus and use of USAID funds for the Greater Horn of Africa which emphasized conflict prevention and food security.

State Department Deputy Task Force Director and then Coordinator for Somalia, 1992 -1993: Coordinated State Department policy towards Somalia during the US and United Nations intervention in liaison with the National Security Council, Department of Defense, Central Intelligence Agency, US Congress and the United Nations. Directed an interagency team during a visit to wartorn Somalia and recommended extensive policy changes in an effort to salvage the United Nations peacekeeping operation. Received a State Department Superior Honor Award.

Management Task Force Member, 1992: Made recommendations for reorganizing the Department of State that were adopted at the beginning of the Clinton Administration. Southern University, Baton Rouge, 1990 - 1991: Diplomat-in-Residence in the Political Science Department.

Ambassador to Burkina Faso, 1987 - 1990: Led an embassy of 30 Americans and 250 Burkinabe representing four US government agencies. Created and implemented a public diplomacy campaign throughout the country to explain to ordinary citizens American policy and programs.

Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy Khartoum, Sudan, 1983 - 1986: As the number two officer and chief of staff, supervised a large mission during a severe local famine, a terrorist attack and three changes of government. Managed two efficient and casualty free evacuations of American staff during a period of high tension. Received a State Department Superior Honor Award.

Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy Yaounde, Cameroun, 1981 - 1983: While in Yaounde, served twice as temporary Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy in neighboring Ndjamena, Chad, and organized its reopening following a violent overthrow of the Chadian government.

Deputy and then Acting Coordinator, State Department Office for Liaison with State and Local Governments, 1978 - 1981: Established an office for working with governors, mayors and state legislators and managed a program for assigning Foreign Service officers to state and local government. Received a State Department Superior Honor Award.

Aide to Mayor of Seattle, 1976 - 1978: Detailed to the Mayor's Office of Policy Planning. Prepared a major study on local government reorganization. Represented the Mayor on the Seattle-Tacoma Airport Authority and assisted with sewage treatment planning.

Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy Nouakchott, Mauritania, 1974 -1976: Managed the staff during two violent, rebel attacks on Nouakchott and the Presidency, which bordered the Embassy compound.

Previous experience: Political officer, US Embassy Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A political officer engages primarily in reporting on political issues, delivers policy messages and develops contacts with local nationals. State Department country officer for Somalia and Djibouti and assistant for Ethiopia, followed by country officer for Uganda and Tanzania. A country officer is the point person for all issues between the US and that country. Political officer, US Embassy Nairobi, Kenya. Consular, administrative and commercial officer, US Embassy Beirut, Lebanon. Staff aide to Senator Hugh Scott of Pennsylvania. Part-time in the promotion department of the Washington Post and four summers with the US Forest Service in Washington State.

Education

Senior Seminar, 1986 - 87: Completed the premier nine month training course offered by the Department of State for senior Foreign Service, Civil Service and military officers.

Ph.D. in political science, 1980: The George Washington University. Dissertation on Tanzania's foreign policy.

Advanced Certificate in African studies, 1969: Northwestern University.

MA in international affairs, 1964: The George Washington University. Thesis on the Pan Somali movement.

BA in government, 1963: The George Washington University.

AA, 1960: Yakima Valley Community College.

Relevant Experience in Africa

Ambassador Shinn has in depth area expertise in Africa and especially East Africa and the Horn of Africa. After 37 years in the US Foreign Service, he continues to make regular visits to the region in connection with several non-governmental organizations. One of them, People to People, focuses on HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. Another emphasizes development in Somalia. The courses that Dr. Shinn teaches in the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University deal primarily with Africa. Dr. Shinn does research on a variety of African issues and lectures around the world. He is currently doing extensive work on China-Africa relations and will co-author a book on this topic for release in 2009.

Languages

French: Worked extensively in French when serving in Francophone African posts.

Swahili: Worked regularly in Swahili while serving in Kenya and Tanzania; now rusty.

Professional Affiliations

• International Studies Association
• American Foreign Service Association (former member of board)
• Rotary International (honorary member)
• American Philatelic Society
• Society of Friends of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies
• People to People Inc. (advisor)
• Ethiopian Christian Relief and Development Association USA (board member)
• Horn Relief (board member)
• Middle East Institute
• African Studies Association
• Sudan Studies Association
• Forum International for Ethiopians Living in the Diaspora (Trustee)
• George Washington University African Center for Health and Security (Member of Technical Advisory Committee)
• International Journal of Ethiopian Studies (member of editorial board)
• Phi Theta Kappa Foundation (trustee)

Citizenship

United States